BREAKING: Biden agrees to step down as Democratic nominee: Sources tell Mark Halperin

Summary

In a surprising turn, President Biden has agreed to step down as the Democratic nominee, with a speech set for this weekend. He will not endorse Vice President Harris, allowing an open process at the Democratic convention in Chicago to choose a new nominee. Possible candidates include Harris, Gavin Newsom, Gretchen Whitmer, and Andy Beshear, with the aim to inject excitement and raise funds from both big and small donors.

Takeaways

• 🏆 President Biden has agreed to step down as the Democratic nominee, potentially as early as this weekend.
• 📜 A speech is being prepared for Biden to announce his decision, with the intention of continuing his term as president.
• 🙅‍♀️ Biden will not endorse Vice President Harris as his successor, aiming for an open process for the Democratic nomination.
• 🏙️ The Democratic convention in Chicago will be open to Vice President Harris and other candidates, including potential running mates.
• 🤔 Vice President Harris is reportedly considering potential running mates, such as Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky and Governor Shapiro of Pennsylvania.
• 🌟 Other potential candidates being discussed include Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, and Gretchen Whitmer.
• 🗳️ The first ballot at the convention will be open to regular delegates, with super delegates voting in subsequent rounds if no candidate wins initially.
• 🔍 High-level pressure from figures like Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama, along with Biden's top aides, has influenced this sudden decision.
• 💰 Despite having a significant campaign war chest, the new ticket is expected to inject excitement into the party and attract both big and small donors.
• 🚀 There is a belief that a new ticket can raise funds from both big donors and small dollar donors, potentially revitalizing the campaign.

Q & A

What is the breaking news according to the political analyst Mark Halperin?

President Biden has agreed to step down as the Democratic nominee, with the change potentially happening as early as the weekend.

What is President Biden's intention after stepping down as the Democratic nominee?

President Biden intends to continue on as president.

Will President Biden endorse Vice President Harris as his successor?

No, President Biden will not endorse Vice President Harris as his successor.

What is the expected process for selecting the new Democratic nominee?

The convention in Chicago will be open to Vice President Harris and a few other candidates, with the hope of an open process for nomination.

Who are some of the potential running mates being considered by Vice President Harris?

Potential running mates include Andy Beshear, the governor of Kentucky, and possibly the governor of Pennsylvania, governor Shapiro.

What other candidates are being discussed for the Democratic nomination?

Other possible candidates include Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, and Gretchen Whitmer.

How will the voting process work for the new Democratic nominee?

Regular delegates would vote on the first ballot, and if no winner emerges, super delegates would vote on subsequent ballots.

What was the reason for the sudden decision for President Biden to step down?

The decision was reached due to high-level pressure from figures like Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama, as well as the assessment from Biden's top aides that he would not be able to win the general election.

How does the script suggest the Democratic party's platform is affected by this development?

The script implies a potential conflict with the party's platform of diversity, equity, and inclusion, given that Kamala Harris is being passed over without an endorsement.

What is the view of some of Vice President Harris's people regarding her chances in the nomination process?

Some of her people believe she will win the nomination and that she has the support of many Biden-Harris delegates, suggesting she can win on her own.

How might the campaign finance laws and the current war chest impact the new Democratic nominee?

The belief is that a new ticket will inject excitement into the party, potentially attracting both big dollar donors and small dollar donations, despite the large amount of money already in the war chest.