There has been some discussion about whether the Democrats could replace Joe Biden with another Presidential nominee. Some say this could not be done within DNC rules unless Biden withdraws his candidacy before being nominated, but this ignores a couple of modern examples.
The first is Thomas Eagleton, George McGovern's VP nominee in 1972. After it was subsequently revealed that he had a history of mental illness and had undergone electroshock therapy, the DNC replaced him with Sargent Shriver as McGovern's running mate. This was done without reconvening the Democrat Convention or polling any delegates.
The second is Bob Dole, who was the GOP Presidential nominee in 1996. After having served in Congress for almost 30 years, he was essentially rewarded with the nomination as a capstone for his career. He then ran a lackluster campaign that appeared that he didn't really want to be President.
This brings us to Joe Biden. Like Bob Dole, his (presumed) nomination seems more like a reward for his years of faithful service than the choice of an inspiring candidate. And like Thomas Eagleton, the state of his mental faculties will become an increasing issue as the Presidential campaign continues.
What is to be done about a nominee whose campaign is likely to implode before the November election? To deny him the nomination would be an affront to millions of Democrats who have participated in the primary process and severely depress voter turnout, so that may not be a realistic alternative.
But what if, after the convention, Old Joe is deemed medically unfit to serve as President? Couldn't the DNC then replace him with another candidate, as they did with Eagleton in 1972? Wouldn't this allow the DNC to claim that it had complied with primary/convention rules while at the same time picking a more viable candidate?
The first is Thomas Eagleton, George McGovern's VP nominee in 1972. After it was subsequently revealed that he had a history of mental illness and had undergone electroshock therapy, the DNC replaced him with Sargent Shriver as McGovern's running mate. This was done without reconvening the Democrat Convention or polling any delegates.
The second is Bob Dole, who was the GOP Presidential nominee in 1996. After having served in Congress for almost 30 years, he was essentially rewarded with the nomination as a capstone for his career. He then ran a lackluster campaign that appeared that he didn't really want to be President.
This brings us to Joe Biden. Like Bob Dole, his (presumed) nomination seems more like a reward for his years of faithful service than the choice of an inspiring candidate. And like Thomas Eagleton, the state of his mental faculties will become an increasing issue as the Presidential campaign continues.
What is to be done about a nominee whose campaign is likely to implode before the November election? To deny him the nomination would be an affront to millions of Democrats who have participated in the primary process and severely depress voter turnout, so that may not be a realistic alternative.
But what if, after the convention, Old Joe is deemed medically unfit to serve as President? Couldn't the DNC then replace him with another candidate, as they did with Eagleton in 1972? Wouldn't this allow the DNC to claim that it had complied with primary/convention rules while at the same time picking a more viable candidate?
Last edited:
