Race Against Time: Can Democrats Find A Viable Alternative To Biden Before 2024 Election?

While some may argue that it is too late for them to find a viable replacement, the reality is that there is still time, albeit limited.

The Democratic Party already has a process in place to find a new candidate for the general election - the presidential primary. From January to June next year, Democrat voters will head to the polls and select a presidential nominee. However, polling shows that Democrat voters are not enthusiastic about the current challengers, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Marianne Williamson.

To have a chance at winning the nomination, a well-known candidate with broad appeal to the Democrat base would need to step up. One potential candidate is California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has been actively engaging with red states, advocating for a national referendum on guns, and even challenging Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to a debate on Fox News. While Biden's inner circle may see Newsom as a nuisance, advisers publicly view him as a top surrogate.

 WATCH: WHY KASH PATEL FILED A MAJOR LAWSUIT AGAINST FBI DIRECTOR?

Rumors are also circulating about Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who ran for president in 2020 on the need for generational change. Both have maintained a high profile while serving in the Biden administration.

September 16, 2023

If any of these candidates want to mount a challenge, they have a few weeks left to join the race without compromising their ability to win. Many states have filing deadlines before the end of the year, with Nevada having the earliest deadline on October 15. The longer they wait to enter the race, the fewer total possible delegates they can receive, as each state awards nominating delegates to candidates.

 WATCH: ROGER STONE MOCKS CHUCK SCHUMER’S DECISION TO LOOSEN SENATE DRESS CODE

Launching a viable presidential campaign takes more than just filing a declaration. Candidates must court donors, hire staff, and develop policies, messaging, and a winning strategy. While there is no reporting to suggest that any notable candidate is preparing a bid, media speculation often precedes official announcements.

In the modern era, an incumbent president has never lost their party's nomination when running for a second term. However, Biden's fate ultimately rests in his own hands. While he is the most likely candidate to win the nomination, he can decide to step down from the race at any point. The ideal time for him to do so would be during the Democratic National Convention in August, where delegates vote to elect a candidate for president.

 CALIFORNIA DEMOCRAT LAUNCHES LAWSUIT AGAINST SACRAMENTO, DECLARES 'THIRD-WORLD CONDITIONS'

If Biden wins a majority of delegates but wants to step down, he could use a speech prior to or during the convention to endorse another candidate. Pledged delegates are not required to vote for the candidate they represent, but they are expected to reflect the sentiments of those who elected them. Therefore, an endorsement from Biden would carry significant influence.

In the event of multiple candidates, if a majority of delegates voted in line with Biden's wishes, that candidate would become the Democrats' presidential nominee. This would be a variation of a contested convention. However, if no candidate wins the first ballot at the convention, a brokered convention would take place. Delegates are released from their pledges, and party leaders and congresspeople would try to persuade delegates to support their preferred candidate.

 LANDLORDS LASH OUT AFTER SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL DUMPS THIS ON THEM

This process can be messy and chaotic, potentially leaving the Democrats disunited and directionless just months before the general election. Contested and brokered conventions are rare in the modern era, with the last convention approaching "contested" status occurring in 1980 for the Democrats and in 1976 for the Republicans.

Given these factors, a second Biden run is the most likely outcome in 2024. However, if a candidate wants to change that, they would need to act now and accept the unprecedented challenge they would face.