How Biden backing out rewrites the script for the 2024 presidential race

July 23rd, 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the inaugural Rocket Foundation Summit at the Carter Center in Atlanta, GA, on June 18, 2024. (Matthew Pearson/WABE).

For the second week in a row, America is witnessing another moment that will be noted in presidential history. President Joe Biden announced he’s no longer seeking reelection and is endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination. The announcement came a week after Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt.

This makes Biden the first president to not seek reelection since Lyndon Johnson in 1968. Democratic National Convention members are expected to meet later this week to discuss the next steps in the nomination process.

On Monday’s edition of “Closer Look,” show host Rose Scott talks with Emory’s political scientist Andra Gillespie and Professor Emeritus of Political Science Alan Abramowitz about how Biden’s decision could impact the presidential race.

The guests also share their thoughts about Democrats uniting as a party, what they think will happen at the Democratic National Convention and who Harris could potentially select as her vice presidential running mate. They also discuss what Democrats and Republicans must do to reach voters, maximize turnout and win the presidential race.