DALLAS — With President Joe Biden stepping down from the 2024 Presidential race, many are wondering what is next. “It's just one more unprecedented thing in this crazy presidential election campaign,” said Matthew Wilson, SMU Political Science Professor.
Wilson said past Presidents have decided not to run for reelection, but not in this way. “There's some sort of major policy disagreement within their party. This has nothing to do with that. This is strictly about doubts regarding the President's competence and ability to move forward,” said Wilson.
WFAA spoke with Democratic voters in Dallas shortly after Biden’s announcement. “I think Democrats need to get their things together because I think there has been a lot of positives done by the Biden administration. I don’t think they tell people enough,” said Luis Zuazua, a voter. “The Republicans, at least on the Trump side, they lie a lot. Lies sometimes stick. I don’t think the Democrats are doing enough to rebuttal that. I think that’s important.”
“I’ve been mentally drained, so I told them I don’t want to hear it. I’m concerned now,” said Veronica Martinez. “I’m to the point where certain things that Biden administration has done, I’m not happy for it as far as giving money to different wars.”
First-time voter, Brooklyn Rovello, said it’s a little unnerving. “It’s scary. I feel like I can’t tell what’s coming next. I’m not really sure what the future is going to hold,” said Rovello.
Republicans such as Matt Mackowiak, GOP Consultant, said they are still in a good position. “We'd much rather be where we are than where they are,” said Mackowiak. “It's not clear to me the Democratic Party's unified. If you look at the last month, Trump's gotten a lot of new momentum not just from surviving the assassination attempt and demonstrating courage under fire at that moment but in some of the other ways, too, and having the dominant debate performance and regaining a fundraising advantage.”
Since Biden stepped down, endorsements have been pouring in for Vice President Kamala Harris. “The reality is that we've got less than a month to go before the Democrats win their convention in Chicago. There are some state ballot deadlines that may even be earlier than that,” said Wilson. “It very difficult for anyone other than Kamala Harris, to throw their hat in the ring.”
“I think these battleground states, the seven or eight states that are going to decide the election are going to be close. It's going to require a massive effort on both sides,” said Mackowiak.
However, some Democrats are on the fence about Harris too. “I wish it was another candidate running because I don’t feel like she’s prepared for it right now,” said Faith Diaz. “If it were up to me, maybe Mrs. Obama would come and snatch it all up.”
Regardless, it is crunch time for both parties in a race that has already made history.