Explainer: What will happen if Joe Biden steps down

US President Joe Biden may be defiantly resisting mounting pressure to stand aside for another Democratic contender to take on Donald Trump. See what would occur if he quits politics.

US politics is in uncharted territory, with President Joe Biden defiantly resisting mounting pressure to stand aside and make way for another Democratic contender to take on Donald Trump at the November election.

Incumbency usually guarantees that a sitting president will not be challenged from within his or her own party, but since Biden’s poor performance at last week’s presidential debate, the calls for a change are growing louder and more insistent.

Will Biden bow out or battle on? We explain what could happen below.

COULD BIDEN STEP DOWN?

Ms Cooper said Biden still appeared to believe he was the best person to take on Trump at the election, but if he was persuaded to stand down as the nominee, he would likely nominate Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor. “She’s the obvious choice,” she said.

WOULD THAT MAKE HARRIS’S NOMINATION AUTOMATIC?

Not necessarily. Biden’s 4000 delegates to the upcoming Democratic National Convention “pledged to vote for him, but they could actually defect,” Ms Cooper said. While it would be “highly unprecedented” it could become an “open convention” with delegates deciding who they want as their candidate.

HOW LONG DO THE DEMOCRATS HAVE TO DECIDE?

The Convention is due to take place between August 19 and 22 in Chicago. It confirms the nominee. After that there is no changing, except in the case of death or the most extreme circumstances.

HOW OLD IS JOE BIDEN?

Joe Biden is 81 years old.

DOES JOE BIDEN HAVE DEMENTIA?

No White House physician has confirmed Mr Biden has dementia or any other age-related illness. Mr Biden’s personal doctor Kevin O’Connor met at the White House in January with a leading expert on Parkinson’s disease.

Several weeks later, Dr O’Connor said in his annual review of Mr Biden’s health that an “extremely detailed neurologic exam” showed no results that would be consistent with disorders including Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis.

He said he was a “healthy, active, robust 81-year-old male, who remains fit to successfully execute the duties of the presidency”.

WHO COULD THE DEMOCRATS TURN TO?

Kamala Harris

Current Vice-President. Her nomination would be in some ways the most simple, given she’s already on the ticket and is the beneficiary of the same “donation stream,” as Biden.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris.

Gavin Newsom

The California governor, who Democratic pundits say could stand-in for Biden. Newsom is standing by the president.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Gretchen Whitmer

The two-term governor of Michigan and Biden backer. More likely to run for president in 2028.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Pete Buttigieg

Ran for president in 2020. Current Transportation Secretary.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.

Josh Shapiro

First-term governor of Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state.

US President Joe Biden visits a coffee shop with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.

JB Pritzker

Heir to the Hyatt hotel chain and Illinois Governor. Called Trump a “liar” after the debate.

JB Pritzker, who could be in the running to replace Joe Biden.

Wes Moore

Governor of Maryland. Prominently name-checked as an interesting contender in a George Clooney opinion piece this week.

Governor of Maryland Wes Moore.

Andy Beshear

Governor of Kentucky. Also name-checked by George Clooney this week.

Andy Beshear, Governor of Kentucky.

Michelle Obama 

The only person who could beat Trump, according to a recent Reuters IPSOS poll. She has previously ruled out running.

Former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama.

Originally published as Explainer: What will happen if Joe Biden steps down