Michael Whitaker

But whether it was his age, a weak economy, or just a desire for change, there were rumblings within the Democratic base about a desire for a different candidate well before Biden announced he was running for re-election. However, Biden faced little to no opposition during the 2024 primaries. A few minor candidates, like Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips, attempted to sound the alarm.

But whether it was his age, a weak economy, or just a desire for change, there were rumblings within the Democratic base about a desire for a different candidate well before Biden announced he was running for re-election. However, Biden faced little to no opposition during the 2024 primaries. A few minor candidates, like Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips, attempted to sound the alarm.

Meanwhile, the most serious Democratic challenger, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., eventually defected from the party entirely after the DNC kept him off the ballot and refused to allow for any primary debates. He launched an independent campaign in October of 2023 and would go on to endorse Trump in August of 2024, which was itself a stunning political realignment.

Meanwhile, the most serious Democratic challenger, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., eventually defected from the party entirely after the DNC kept him off the ballot and refused to allow for any primary debates. He launched an independent campaign in October of 2023 and would go on to endorse Trump in August of 2024, which was itself a stunning political realignment.

After clearing the primaries of no real opposition, support for Biden's campaign cratered in the wake of his first debate with Trump in June.

After clearing the primaries of no real opposition, support for Biden's campaign cratered in the wake of his first debate with Trump in June.

The president appeared to be confused and tired, and concerns about his mental acuity were echoed in the mainstream press after years of largely being ignored. Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi appears to have led an internal coup within the Democratic Party to force Biden out, out of concern that he might lead the party to a down-ballot wipeout.

The president appeared to be confused and tired, and concerns about his mental acuity were echoed in the mainstream press after years of largely being ignored. Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi appears to have led an internal coup within the Democratic Party to force Biden out, out of concern that he might lead the party to a down-ballot wipeout.

Well, that's true, and maybe Democrats would have done better if they had stuck with Biden instead of swapping him out at the last minute. Or maybe they would have done even worse. It's hard to picture that alternate timeline, but it's possible.

Well, that's true, and maybe Democrats would have done better if they had stuck with Biden instead of swapping him out at the last minute. Or maybe they would have done even worse. It's hard to picture that alternate timeline, but it's possible.

Initially, there appears to have been some desire for a contested convention at the DNC, which may have produced a stronger candidate, or may have deepened fissures between rival factions ahead of a contentious election. But Biden endorsed Harris shortly after dropping out, and the rest of the party quickly bent the knee. Harris was coronated at the DNC despite never winning a single primary.

Initially, there appears to have been some desire for a contested convention at the DNC, which may have produced a stronger candidate, or may have deepened fissures between rival factions ahead of a contentious election. But Biden endorsed Harris shortly after dropping out, and the rest of the party quickly bent the knee. Harris was coronated at the DNC despite never winning a single primary.

She ran to the left of Biden in 2020 and dropped out before any ballots were cast. Harris had difficulty defining herself. She couldn't embrace the unpopular incumbent president, but she couldn't repudiate him as an active member of his administration.

She ran to the left of Biden in 2020 and dropped out before any ballots were cast. Harris had difficulty defining herself. She couldn't embrace the unpopular incumbent president, but she couldn't repudiate him as an active member of his administration.

She also faced criticism for her reluctance to give long-form interviews to the press and for the lack of clarification of her stances on many issues, including immigration, fracking, I could go on. She was also criticized as a DEI hire who was selected on account of her race and sex, something Biden himself affirmed, albeit in a more positive tone.

She also faced criticism for her reluctance to give long-form interviews to the press and for the lack of clarification of her stances on many issues, including immigration, fracking, I could go on. She was also criticized as a DEI hire who was selected on account of her race and sex, something Biden himself affirmed, albeit in a more positive tone.

Now that the dust has settled, many Democrats have harshly criticized Harris for a failed campaign, which received $1.5 billion in donations, yet still racked up more than $20 million in debt.

Now that the dust has settled, many Democrats have harshly criticized Harris for a failed campaign, which received $1.5 billion in donations, yet still racked up more than $20 million in debt.

Yes, abortion has become a signature issue for many Democrats since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Democrats overperformed during the 2022 midterms, especially with single women.

Yes, abortion has become a signature issue for many Democrats since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Democrats overperformed during the 2022 midterms, especially with single women.