What happens if Joe Biden decides to quit in 2024? While it seems unlikely, the idea is worth exploring. Here, we look for how AOC and cast of other Democrats could jump at the chance to sit in the Oval Office:
According to the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll on Thursday, President Joe Biden’s approval rating sits at just 40%, near the lowest of his presidency. Though Biden’s approval had been on the rise following the midterm elections, which failed to materialize a “red wave” for the Republicans, the disclosure of classified documents found at his home in Wilmington, Delaware, and at an office he used in D.C. following his vice presidency, the numbers took a sharp U-turn.
As a result, Joe Biden has delayed announcing whether he’ll seek reelection in 2024 – and has now said he won’t make any official statement on the matter until after the State of the Union next month.
One aid suggested, “We want him to be president at the State of the Union, not a candidate.”
However, his sagging poll numbers – not to mention the fact that the president turned 80 in November and would be 82 when he begins his second term – might be enough to convince Joe Biden not to seek re-election. While that’s unlikely, the Democrats have several others who could step up.
And aren’t named Hillary Clinton, even as there have been whispers of her making yet another comeback.
The list likely includes Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Bernie Sanders of Vermont, but neither has expressed interest in trying for another failed bid.
Kamala Harris
Topping any list of who could run in Joe Biden’s place is Vice President Kamala Harris. Her approval rating may not be very good, but as The Hill reported, it could be hard to convince black women to vote for anyone else as the party’s standard-bearer.
However, her approval rating is even lower than Biden’s. She was asked to lead the administration’s response to the issue of immigration, and her handling has been criticized, while she is routinely mocked for her “word salad.”
Pete Buttigieg
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg was a rising star for the Democrats. Could he take over for Joe Biden in 2024?
Then travelers were stranded on Christmas Day. The weather was a factor but voters will remember Buttigieg ruined their holidays.
Gretchen Whitmer
Being a governor can be a good step to the White House. Being a governor who has been name-called by former President Donald Trump could actually help Michigan’s Gretchen Whitmer. She was likely on Biden’s shortlist for VP, and there are whispers that the DNC had wished she was the VP now.
She easily won reelection in 2022 and her popularity increased after Roe V. Wade was overturned. “The only reason Michigan continues to be a pro-choice state is because of my veto and my lawsuit,” she noted. That could give her an edge should Biden bow out.
Gavin Newsom
The other governor of note is California’s Gavin Newsom. He’s already engaged in some very public squabbles with Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis – and it is possible a 2024 or perhaps 2028 showdown could be between top lawmakers of the Sunshine State and the Golden State.
However, a lot will hinge on how he responds to California’s seemingly endless wave of natural disasters that include fires and floods. He easily fended off a recall, but he may also be a little too “California” for East Coast and Midwest voters.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC)
She turns 35 just weeks before Election Day in 2024 – so she will be old enough to take the office of president. But there is little reason to think she’d actually run at this point. She’s popular among progressives, and she easily won reelection last November. Would she really run in 2024 if Joe Biden passes?
She’s also already filed for the 2024 election in her district, so she’s looking to stay put. Her political path is likely to seek the senate seat when Chuck Schumer, who is now 72, steps down – or perhaps to the governor’s office.
AOC is smart enough to know that experience gets you to the White House. She’s likely thinking long-term.
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Author Experience and Expertise: A Senior Editor for 19FortyFive, Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu.
