What options do the Democratic candidates have to challenge Biden for the nomination?

Although confusing and discreet, the elections held on Tuesday the 23rd in New Hampshire were the starting signal for the Democratic Party primaries with a view to the race to occupy the White House starting in January 2025. And although in the blue tent the process is considered by many as a mere formality for the president Joe Biden tempts re-election, two pre-candidates have decided to enter the race.

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On March 4, 2023, more than a month before Biden himself confirmed his intentions to run for re-election, the famous author of self-help texts Marianne Williamson (71) announced that she would seek the Democratic nomination.

As in 2020, when she went practically unnoticed in the campaign dominated by the figures of Biden and Donald Trump, Williamson arrives with a speech in which she advocates for “a vision of justice and love so powerful that it overcomes the forces of hate, injustice and fear”.

This message was reflected, for example, in his proposal to create a Department of Peace and ensure that the federal government must pay considerable financial compensation to African Americans in reparation for the slavery and discrimination they have suffered for centuries.

Another candidate challenging Biden in these primaries is Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips (55), who announced his candidacy on October 27 of last year after asking for months that the Democratic Party provide another option to the current president.

Phillips is one of the richest members of Congress and heir to the Phillips Distilling Company, his stepfather’s empire, owner of important brands of vodka and schnapps.

There have been many occasions on which Phillips has praised Biden’s work; However, she says the party needs younger voices to avoid a nightmare situation in which Trump wins another election in November.

But what options do they have to actually challenge the Democratic nomination?

“Both Williamson and Phillips have zero chance. The same ones that Nikki Haley has if she was nominated by the former Republican party, now Trumpian“, he comments to Trade the political analyst Hernán Molina.

According to the expert, Williamson’s presence despite the zero chances he has (he barely obtained 4.6% of the vote in New Hampshire) is understood as “a matter of principle, to have a conversation about issues that are not discussed in the Democratic Party”.

As for Phillips, however, Molina assures that the congressman “maintains a fairly deep difference with Biden and the Democrats on the direction the country should take”. In addition, it may be the opportunity to become known at a national level with a view to future candidatures.

– The age factor –

Phillips’ argument goes hand in hand with a survey conducted in March 2023 by Monmouth University, which revealed that 44% of Democratic voters would prefer that Biden step aside in the 2024 elections to make room for another candidate.

At 81 years old, Biden currently holds the Guinness record for the oldest person to be elected president of the United States. This is a factor that, while raising concern among Democrats, seeks to be exploited by Republicans.

“Biden’s age is undoubtedly an important issue. But so is Trump’s. The difference is that the Trumpian machine, which includes the Fox network and other right-wing media associated with the millionaire, has been in charge of insistently addressing Biden’s energy, his mental attitude.”says Molina.

In fact, the record that Biden holds was earned by Donald Trump, who was elected in 2016 at the age of 70. The difference, according to the analyst, is that the New York magnate has sought to maintain an image “full of stamina” and physical strength.

“Trump’s speech revolves around his virality, of being the tough man, he considers himself the leader who can take the country forward. A reflection of this is that Trump, despite winning the election in New Hampshire, came out to hit Nikki Haley, to question why she is not leaving the race.“, Explain.

It is still early to know if Trump’s strategy will work in the November elections, but at the moment – together with the way he has found to capitalize on the countless legal proceedings against him – it seems to give him a certain advantage. A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted this week shows that the Republican leads the Democrat by 40% to 34%.

However, as Molina explains, much of Biden’s strength could lie in that 26% who are still undecided or who identify as independent. “The Trump effect is relative, because people in 2020 voted to end him and return to normal. Biden, even with all his problems, continues to reflect predictability. That the economy has improved, that inflation is falling, that everything is falling into place after the pandemic favors Biden”, he assures.