Vice President Kamala Harris Rising?

For some Democrats, VP Harris is the obvious choice to replace President Joe Biden, should he leave the race. For others, not so much.

Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks at the third meeting of the National Space Council, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington. Chaired by Vice President Kamala Harris, the council’s role is to advise the President regarding national space policy and strategy, and ensuring the United States capitalizes on the opportunities presented by the country’s space activities. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

It’s been over a week since President Biden’s disappointing debate performance and the news cycle is, if possible, even more filled with handwringing, head-shaking, and doomsaying than ever regarding Biden’s reelection campaign.

Democratic Party conversations at the highest levels, public and private, are centered around the central questions of Biden’s replacement, should he succumb to pressure or decide to quit the race.

Though President Biden remains defiant in the face of mounting criticism, vowing to stay in the race as of Friday, doubts persist.

Attention in the press has turned, naturally, to who might replace President Joe Biden, should he exit the race. Many Democrats see Vice President Kamala Harris as the obvious heir apparent.

“VP Harris top choice to replace Biden in election race if he steps aside, sources say,” agreed Nandita Bose for Reuters on July 3. “In a Reuters/Ipsos poll published Tuesday, Harris trailed Trump by one percentage point at 42% to 43%, a difference that was well within the poll’s 3.5 percentage point margin of error, a showing statistically just as strong as Biden’s.