The Kamala Equation: Biden Out, What Now?

American politics is once again at crossroads after incumbent President and Democratic Party nominee, Joe Biden dropped out of the consequential November 5 Poll.

His statement on Sunday July 21, 2024, comes after piling pressure from Democratic Party leaders for Biden to step down, saying he has no chances of winning against Donald Trump.

Biden’s exit also comes after health concerns put him on the limelight, with many questioning his capacity to perform presidential duties if re-elected.

Biden endorsed incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris for the top ticket, a decision the right has called ‘an easy win for Trump’. But what lies ahead for Harris?

The Democratic Party can either unanimously support Biden’s endorsement and rally support for Harris, or conduct party primaries as Democratic leaders such as Nancy Pelosi have suggested.

If the DNC (Democratic National Convention) were to go with the latter, Harris will have to face other contenders of the top seat in a race to convince a majority 2,200 of 4,500 delegates. To win the first round, she would need the support of about 1,950 of 3,900 pledged delegates and if not, go for a second round where 740 super delegates would vote.

The DNC is set to convene on August 19, 2024 in Chicago. If picked as the bearer in this game of numbers, Harris will have to choose a Vice President who many suggest come from one of the battleground states such as Ohio, Michigan, Arizona, Pennsylvania and Georgia.

Harris, who, if voted in, would become America’s first female president, also has to contend with deep-rooted issues of sexism and race.

The pace for America’s most important election continues to set, with donations of over 5 million dollars being made towards Harris’s campaign hours after the endorsement.

Democrat supporters are wary of a Right win, given GOP’s proposed Project 2025, which takes a conservative and prohibitive approach to issues of Abortion, Trans-rights, same-sex marriages and divorce.

World leaders have taken to the internet to express their thoughts on Biden’s decision to step down, many calling him a patriot for putting America’s interest first.

Ukraine, whose outcome in the war highly depends on the election, has called Biden's move a tough but strong decision.

Ukrainian President Vlodomyr Zelenskyy took to X to write,

“We will always be thankful for President Biden’s leadership. He supported our country during the most dramatic moment in history. Assisted us in preventing Putin from occupying our country and has continued to support us throughout this terrible war. The current situation in Ukraine and all of Europe is no less challenging and we sincerely hope that America's continued strong leadership will prevent Russian evil from succeeding or making its aggression pay off,” as the Russia- Ukraine war entered day 879.

With only 107 days to go, all eyes are on America, and especially the American Youth, to make a tough choice in an election whose outcome will reverberate throughout the world.