[Abernathy]

The fly in the ointment is that probably none of the other possible contenders for the Democrats’ presidential nomination would wish to be seen to challenge the first ever black, female VP, who has the endorsement of the retiring president to boot. Selecting the right replacement for Biden risks rendering the Democrats vulnerable to damaging public perceptions of disunity. I rather suspect that in going with Harris, the choice of her running mate may take on a crucial aspect. A Harris/Newsome ticket might just do the trick.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Nah, you can't run two from California.

Should be a man from the Mid West. Governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, maybe. Or Sherrod Brown, if he's going to lose anyway in the Ohio Senate race.

[kreuzberger]

There was an inevitability about Biden's call, although we might reflect later on just how politically astute that was: the window for squabbling has been immeasurably tightened and the stage for Dem grandstanding has been all but wiped out.

If it now comes down to who Harris ropes in as running mate, I believe that the campaign can then focus on the real enemy with his army of medieval peasants.

[The Weeping Angel]

List of potential VPs here

[Youngian]

and I don't think even he can milk his "assassination attempt" for that long.

The hubris it produced at the Milwaukee conference wasn’t a good look. Trump was far from the most demented attendee.

[The Weeping Angel]

I think Emily's been on the vino.

[Youngian]

Sleepy Don thinks Harris is a winner

[The Weeping Angel]

Are we getting an emergancy podcast from The Rest is Politics?

[Youngian]

News Agents beat them to it. Anthony Scaramucci on the US podcasts with Katy Kay is an insightful broadcaster. He was forecasting a Biden win up until his disastrous debate with Trump.

[Philip Marlow]

Heartwarming to see Musk continuing in full mask off mode. Almost as heartening as the reply guys below going ‘What antisemitism?’

[Youngian]

A British version of this kind of disingenuous cant comes from golliwog owners, ‘I just saw them as an innocent children’s doll, some people see racism in everything.’

[Samanfur]

I'm hoping for Mark Kelly. His history with the police will put some off, but his blue collar background, military experience and personal experience of gun violence would really screw with Trump's attacks.

[Arrowhead]

I'm hoping for Mark Kelly. His history with the police will put some off, but his blue collar background, military experience and personal experience of gun violence would really screw with Trump's attacks.

Yes, he’d be a very good choice. I think Senator Warnock of Georgia would be worth consideration by the Dems as well. He might be too much of a God-botherer for some, but the likes of Kelly or Warnock might help keep those few million Never Trump 2020 voters on board from the GOP.

Ideally though, I suppose the Democrats would prefer somebody who doesn’t risk exposing a vulnerable seat on the Senate.

Lots of chatter this morning about Michelle Obama, I think her being the candidate would cause MAGA World to spontaneously combust with rage.

[Abernathy]

Interesting point raised this morning by Justin Webb, of all people.

Might it not be better for the Democrats if Joe Biden not only stepped down as the Democrats 2024 nominee for president, but also stepped down immediately from the office of president?

This would have two benefits :

- It would immediately spike the developing attack line that if Biden isn't fit to run for re-election as president in 2024, then he isn't fit to be president in any event (Trump of course has to go further and say that Biden never was fit to be president).

- It would confer on Kamala Harris the advantage of being able to fight the election as the incumbent, and quite possibly afford her the opportunity, over the coming four months, to demonstrate in real time how capable and effective she is at being president in real life/real time., and how deserving she therefore is of re-election.

This is, I think, a very good point.

[Malcolm Armsteen]

Interesting idea, and one which must have occurred. I suppose that the DNC would not want Biden's presidency to end that way.

Out if interest, in that scenario (similar to Johnson) who becomes vp?

[Youngian]

This is, I think, a very good point.

It is, hadn’t thought about that one.
I take it Kelly is of Irish origin, a bit of bejeezus and begorrah on the campaign trail won’t do any harm.
Josh Shapiro is another good Veep choice. Clinched the Pennsylvania governorship with a very convincing margin.

[Youngian]

I'm hoping for Mark Kelly. His history with the police will put some off, but his blue collar background, military experience and personal experience of gun violence would really screw with Trump's attacks.

And an astronaut. Bloomin eck, he’s from central casting.

[Andy McDandy]

And from the rugged, down to Earth state of New Mexico. A border state, with a high Latino population. Just about frontier enough to still be pro-small government and individual freedom/responsibility but without being a dick about it.

[Philip Marlow]

Pelosi apparently suggested that she’d support an open convention if Biden stepped down, which strikes me as a recipe for all kinds of disasters.

Ah well, at least America’s finest news source is maintaining its high standards of reporting amidst the chaos.

[Youngian]

There’s a tongue in cheek conspiracy that Joe made the decision to step down months ago but waited until Trump ramped up the Biden’s too old and doddery narrative. Now Dementia Don has to eat his own shit.