Top picks to replace Joe Biden as leader of the Democrats in the US election campaign

The US Democratic Party is in a state of chaos with panicked conversations about how to replace President Joe Biden. See who’s on the list.

The US Democratic Party is in a state of chaos with panicked conversations about how to replace President Joe Biden in the late stages of the election campaign following a disastrous debate with former president Donald Trump.

Unlike in Australia where political parties can oust their leaders – including those who are currently serving as the prime minister – in a leadership spill, the American system of government is far more complex.

Here’s who could replace Biden, and how.

WILL JOE BIDEN BE REPLACED?

The simplest answer would be for Biden to voluntarily step down.

But given the 81-year-old president’s continuous declarations he will not do so, this seems unlikely.

“Let’s keep going,” he said to supporters shortly after exiting the debate stage where he delivered a trainwreck performance.

He doubled down on the comments later the same evening when speaking with reporters who followed him and First Lady Jill Biden to takeaway spot Waffle House.

“I think we did well,” he said.

“It’s hard to debate a liar.”

Political commentators almost universally declared trump the winner of the debate. Picture: AFP

Well-placed sources told the Wall Street Journal high-ranking party officials had even considered publicly calling for Biden to step aside, but there was not enough consensus to proceed.

“I’m very worried,” a Democratic politician told the Journal.

“I’m on my knees praying it’s not too late to replace him. This was so avoidable.”

WHO COULD REPLACE BIDEN AS DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE?

• Gavin Newsom: Current California Governor, he’s the front-runner and is likely to lead the Democratic Party’s election campaign in 2028, reportedly “licking his chops” after the debate.

Californian Governor Gavin Newsom is the frontrunner to replace Biden. Picture: AFP

• Kamala Harris: Current vice president. First female, black and South Asian person to serve as second in command, but has been widely criticised for failing to carve out her own role.

USA Vice President Kamala Harris talks about The Biden v Trump 2024 Debate on CNN. Picture: CNN

• Gretchen Whitmer: Current Michigan Governor, was on the shortlist for Biden’s vice president pick in 2020, favours stricter gun laws, repealing abortion bans, backing preschools.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer in Detroit, Michigan. Picture: Getty

• JB Pritzker: Current Illinois Governor, billionaire heir to Hyatt Hotels Corporation, made his state a “sanctuary” for women seeing abortions, legalised recreational marijuana.

Governor of Illinois JB Pritzker in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Picture: Getty

• Josh Shapiro: Current Pennsylvania Governor who is a rising star. Like Whitmer he is quite popular in a crucial Democratic state.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro introduces US President Joe Biden during a campaign event at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Picture: AFP

• Sherrod Brown: A Senator from Ohio who is vocal on labour rights, and defends IVF and abortion.

Sherrod Brownm United States Senator from Ohio. Picture: Supplied

• Senators Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota plus Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg – all tried to beat Biden in 2020.

Bernie Sanders.

Elizabeth Warren.

Senator Amy Klobuchar.

WHAT IS THE DEADLINE?

The issue is that all states have already held their presidential primaries meaning under Democratic National Committee (DNC) rules the delegates are mandated to pledge him support at the party’s national convention on August 19.

If he voluntarily withdraws before the convention, it would trigger a free-for-all with delegates allowed to throw their support behind a new nominee of their choice.

This last occurred at the Democratic convention in 1960 when John F Kennedy and Lyndon B Johnson spectacularly hustled for support.

THE 25TH AMENDMENT

Another outside chance is that Biden’s own cabinet could invoke the 25th Amendment for Presidential Disability and Succession in an attempt to declare him unfit to serve due to incapacitation.

Ratified in 1967, this constitutional amendment reads, “In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President,” meaning Harris would take the reins.

Given Biden’s physician declared him “fit to serve” in February, this invocation would almost certainly fail.

OUTSIDE WILD CARDS

The public is eager for former First Lady Michelle Obama to run. Picture: Miller Mobley

US betting agency Oddschecker has Trump at -145, Biden at +480, Newsom at +800, Michelle Obama at +3300, Kamala Harris at +3500 and Hilary Clinton at +8400.

American odds are based on $100 bets.

So you would need to place $100 on Trump at -145 to win $45 plus get your original $100 back.

Hillary Clinton in New York City. Picture: Getty

Aussie punters aren’t missing out on the fun either with bet365 offering Trump at $1.53, Biden $4.50, Newsom $6.50, Michelle Obama and Harris both at $19 and Hillary Clinton $51.

With the outcome far from a sure thing, this will be one for the world – including Australia given the importance of our strategic alliance with the US – to watch.