Staff Reports
The Democrats are scrambling in a mad dash to find a challenger for President Joe Biden in the 2024 race. The time for any last-minute antics is rapidly fading away, as the deadline to file for several state primaries has come and gone, and the Michigan cutoff is just around the corner, leaving potential Democratic hopefuls in a frenzy.
The window for last-minute Democratic primary challengers to President Joe Biden to enter the 2024 race is rapidly closing, as the deadline to file for several state primaries has passed and the Michigan cutoff is just days away.https://t.co/rWWCXAEq4v
— Conservative News Daily (@ConservNewsDly) December 5, 2023
As speculation over Biden’s age and mental sharpness grows, rumors have been flying about potential challengers. Gov. Gavin Newsom of California has been at the forefront of these rumors, despite him adamantly denying any intention to run. It’s the classic “say one thing, do another” routine, leaving skeptics plenty of food for thought.
Even though the clock is ticking, there is still some hope for other prominent Democrats like Govs. Gretchen Whitmer, J.B. Pritzker, Josh Shapiro, or Wes Moore, to throw their hats in the ring. But they better act fast to jump through all the necessary hoops to get on the primary ballot in Michigan.
There are already a couple of names on the primary ballot, including former 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson and Rep. Dean Phillips. These two are in the game, ready to take on Biden. And let’s not forget, there’s room for others to file a petition and gather signatures to secure their spot on the ballot.
The excitement doesn’t end there. The race might get really interesting in Michigan, with Phillips shaping up to be a formidable adversary for Biden. He’s got a record and policy stances similar to Biden’s, but the key difference is age — Phillips is a spring chicken at 54, while Biden is 81. Age could be a significant factor in Michigan, especially given how close the race between Trump and Biden was in the state last time around.
But the real wildcard could be Marianne Williamson, who has some serious appeal among pro-Palestinian voters. With Michigan being home to a significant Arab population and a large number of people of Palestinian descent, Williamson’s stance against Israel’s role in the Gaza war could win her some major points among disillusioned Arab American voters. Biden’s support for Israel hasn’t been sitting well with this demographic, making Williamson a possible dark horse.
While Biden might seem like a shoe-in for the primary, a mass exodus of voters to other candidates could spell trouble for his reelection hopes. With every vote counting, independent or minor party candidates like Cornel West and Green Party candidate Jill Stein could siphon off crucial votes from Biden, potentially tipping the scales.
Michigan has a history of renegade candidates causing electoral stir-ups. In the 2016 presidential election, independent and minor party candidates raked in a significant number of votes, and some would argue that this played a role in Trump’s victory over Hillary Clinton. Stein, in particular, has been blamed for snagging enough votes to influence the outcome. The potential for history to repeat itself is high, so the Biden camp shouldn’t rest easy.
Despite the potential for a surge in third-party voters, several key issues unique to the 2024 election could keep voters firmly aligned with the major parties. With hot-button topics like abortion, healthcare, and the economy taking center stage, the stakes are high. And let’s not forget, the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade adds another layer of intensity to the mix, making the battle for Michigan all the more crucial.
What will really sweeten the pot is the dynamic between the Democrats and Republicans and their history of battling it out on auto industry turf like Michigan. The recent United Auto Workers strike saw Biden making history by joining workers on the picket line, but Trump also knows the importance of winning over blue-collar support in the state.
Healthcare is also in the spotlight, with the possible repeal of the Affordable Care Act looming large. The Biden campaign is gearing up to defend Obamacare against Republican attempts to dismantle it, making this a key battleground.
With all these variables at play and the clock ticking, the 2024 race is shaping up to be a nail-biter in Michigan, and the suspense is palpable. The drama is just getting started, and buckle up because it’s going to be a wild ride to the finish line.
