Staff Reports
Get the popcorn, folks, because the latest episode of “As the Joe Turns” is heating up! President Joe Biden’s debate performance is sparking a firestorm of calls for him to step out of the presidential race. But let’s not get too excited, because replacing Sleepy Joe might hit a few more roadblocks than expected, both inside and outside the Democratic Party.
Republicans smell blood in the water and are gearing up to challenge any desperate attempts by the Democrats to swap Biden’s name with another candidate on November ballots in the name of — wait for it — election integrity. As if anyone believes the Democrats know what integrity means. Biden’s campaign spokeswoman, Lauren Hitt, is denying any plans for Joe to pack his bags, but conservative watchdogs at the Heritage Foundation are already laying out the legal obstacles the Dems could face in crucial states.
Three swing states where replacing Biden could be met with legal hurdles https://t.co/qCC0q40sOJ
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) July 2, 2024
Here’s where things get spicy: Georgia, Wisconsin, and Nevada are identified by the Heritage Foundation as battlegrounds where Democrats could face significant legal hurdles if they decide to pull a Houdini act with Biden’s name. In Wisconsin, a name can only be removed if the candidate croaks. In Nevada, they’ve already missed the deadline to sub out candidates unless old Joe is declared mentally incapacitated — which could lead to some popcorn-worthy court drama. On the other hand, Georgia offers a glimmer of hope for the Dems, as there’s still a window for Biden to be kicked off the ballot up to 60 days before the election.
But it’s not just the bureaucratic red tape that’s the problem. Even if the Democrats muster up the courage to oust Biden, party leaders can’t just shove him aside. The rules dictate that delegates must reflect the sentiments of those who elected them. So, unless there’s a mutiny at the convention, Biden’s teetering name stays on the ticket.
While the Republicans are sharpening their legal swords, Democratic loyalists within the Brookings Institution are brushing off the threats, claiming that the courts are unlikely to meddle in nomination disputes. According to the eggheads at Brookings, it’s the party’s prerogative to decide who gets to don the presidential sash.
In short, Democrats might want to brace themselves. Getting rid of Biden isn’t just a matter of popular demand. It’s a legal and procedural quagmire that makes the Gobi Desert look like a water park. Let the games begin!
