But why? Why can’t Obama be picked
Barack Obama cannot be a Democratic nominee for president again due to the 22nd Amendment of the U.S.Constitution. Ratified in 1951, this amendment states that no person can be elected to the office of the President more than twice. Since Obama served two terms as President from 2009 to 2017, he is constitutionally ineligible to run for or be elected as President again. This rule ensures that no individual can hold the presidency for more than two terms, promoting a rotation of leadership and preventing any one person from maintaining prolonged control over the executive branch of the government.
Obama cannot become Joe Biden‘s vice president due to constitutional constraints outlined in both the 22nd and 12th Amendments.
1. 22nd Amendment:
This amendment, ratified in 1951, states that no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice. Since Barack Obama was elected and served two terms as President from 2009 to 2017, he is ineligible to be elected to the presidency again.
2.
This amendment, ratified in 1804, states that no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice President of the United States. This means that to serve as Vice President, a person must meet all the qualifications required to be President.
The combination of these two amendments implies that since Barack Obama is ineligible to be elected President again (due to the 22nd Amendment), he is also ineligible to serve as Vice President (due to the 12th Amendment). Therefore, Barack Obama cannot become Joe Biden’s vice president.
Will Biden drop out?
Biden’s camp is confident, with 14 million votes, 87% of those cast, and 3,900 delegates. This makes it nearly impossible to force him out unless he chooses to withdraw. However, Biden’s recent statements have alarmed prominent Democrats, including Hill Democrats, Hollywood figures like George Clooney, and comedians like Jon Stewart, who are urging him to step down.
After confusing Putin and Zelensky and calling Trump his “Vice President,” Biden’s NATO performance became a meme, highlighted by Italian PM Giorgio Meloni’s eye roll. The Trump campaign’s efforts to restrain the former President’s comments failed when Trump mocked Biden on Truth Social.
Biden denied rumours about his early bedtime but admitted needing to pace himself: “Instead of starting my day at 7:00 am and going to bed at midnight, it would be smarter to pace myself a little more.”
Optimistic Democrats see a silver lining, believing that selecting a fresh candidate could rejuvenate the party. A “blitz primary” is proposed to nominate a younger successor at the Democratic National Convention. Potential candidates include Kamala Harris, Governors Gretchen Whitmer, Gavin Newsom, Andy Beshear, Senator Raphael Warnock, and cabinet members Gina Raimondo and Pete Buttigieg.
Likely Replacements
1)
Vice President Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris would make history as America’s first female President, first Indian-origin President, and second African-American President if elected. Born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California, she is the first female vice president, the highest-ranking female official in U.S. history, and the first African American and first Asian American vice president.
2)
Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan
Gretchen Whitmer, born on August 23, 1971, in Lansing, Michigan, has served as the 49th Governor of Michigan since January 1, 2019. She previously served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2001 to 2006 and in the Michigan Senate from 2006 to 2015, where she was the Senate Minority Leader.
3)
Governor Gavin Newsom of California
Gavin Newsom, the 40th Governor of California since January 7, 2019, previously served as the Lieutenant Governor of California and as the Mayor of San Francisco. He graduated from Santa Clara University with a degree in political science and founded the PlumpJack wine store, which expanded into a successful enterprise.
4)
Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky
Andy Beshear, born on November 29, 1977, in Louisville, Kentucky, has been the 63rd Governor of Kentucky since December 10, 2019. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law and served as the Attorney General of Kentucky from 2016 to 2019.
5)
Senator Raphael Warnock from Georgia
Raphael Warnock, born on July 23, 1969, in Savannah, Georgia, has served as the junior United States Senator from Georgia since January 20, 2021. He graduated from Morehouse College and earned his Master of Divinity, Master of Philosophy, and Doctor of Philosophy from Union Theological Seminary, and is the senior pastor of Atlanta’s historic Ebenezer Baptist Church.
6) US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo
Gina Raimondo, born on May 17, 1971, in Smithfield, Rhode Island, is an accomplished American politician and businesswoman. Since March 3, 2021, she is serving as the 40th U.S. Secretary of Commerce. As a Democratic Party member, she made history as the first woman elected Governor of Rhode Island, serving from January 6, 2015, to March 2, 2021.
7) Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg
Pete Buttigieg is an American politician and public servant currently serving as the United States Secretary of Transportation, a position he has held since January 2021 under President Joe Biden. Born on January 19, 1982, in South Bend, Indiana, Buttigieg is a graduate of Harvard University and a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University. Buttigieg, a Navy veteran who served in Afghanistan, made history as the first openly gay Democratic presidential candidate when he ran for the party’s nomination in 2020.
