In a strategic move, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) have convinced the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to postpone the nomination vote for President Joe Biden. Axios reports that this delay allows additional time for lawmakers and party members to address growing concerns about Biden’s candidacy.
The DNC announced that the virtual roll-call vote will now occur in the first week of August, rather than mid-July as initially planned. The national convention will still be held from August 19-22 in Chicago. This adjustment gives Democrats more time to discuss Biden’s viability as the nominee for the upcoming election.
Biden, 81, has been under intense scrutiny following a poorly received debate performance against former President Donald Trump, along with several unsteady public appearances. Prominent Democrats, including Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), influential donors, and progressive media outlets, have raised doubts about Biden’s ability to serve another term effectively.
Initially, Democratic leaders planned to confirm Biden’s nomination through a virtual vote before the national convention due to an August 7 deadline for presidential candidates in Ohio. However, with Ohio lawmakers extending the deadline to September 1, the DNC reconsidered the timing.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), co-chair of the DNC rules committee, communicated the need for a delay to Biden’s campaign manager, Jen O’Malley Dillon. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA), who organized fellow Democrats to push for the delay, described the new timeline as “a positive step,” though he acknowledged it may not fully address concerns about Biden.
“It’s a heck of a lot better than a rushed process that could divide us,” Huffman said. The delay aims to ensure a more thoughtful and thorough consideration of Biden’s candidacy, avoiding a hurried decision that might cause internal party strife.