Biden Fumbles Name Mix-Ups at NATO Summit, Speculation Grows of Possible Withdrawal from Electoral Race
WASHINGTON – US President Joe Biden reiterated that he is the most qualified Democrat to seek re-election on Thursday, but stumbled over names twice during his public remarks at a NATO summit. While discussing his vice presidential running mate Kamala Harris, he confused her with fellow politician Donald Trump, and later identified Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as "Vladimir Putin".
As speculation builds over the possibility of a Biden withdrawal from the electoral race, several party members are poised to take up the mantle of the Democratic party. Kamala Harris, currently his vice president and successor by law, is being touted as the front-runner in the event Biden decides to step aside.
Alternative Presidential Candidates Emerge
1 Kamala Harris: If Biden were to step down, his vice president and successor Harris, 59, would inherit the presidential nomination by default. An accomplished prosecutor with a reputation for being tough on crime, Harris may yet struggle with persistent criticism of her crime policies and anemic popularity ratings.
2 Gavin Newsom: Another contender emerging from California’s political trenches is the current Governor, Gavin Newsom, 56, a Democrat known for defending abortion rights and taking a strong stance on the pandemic. Newsom has been low-key about potential presidential ambitions.
3 Gretchen Whitmer: Pennsylvania Governor, the 52-year-old Gretchen Whitmer, has shown her metal in facing down violent far-right opposition and has recently dismissed speculative claims about a future presidential bid, vowing to rally behind the beleaguered Biden administration.
4 Josh Shapiro: Fresh off a notable victory defeating a Trump-endorsed competitor in 2022’s Pennsylvania gubernatorial race, 51-year-old Joshua Shapiro leads the nation’s largest swing state.
The names of some other individuals are also receiving attention in political circles, albeit with their likelihood of assuming the office appearing slightly lower.
