As the President of the United States considers if he will run again for a 2nd term, who is the true Biden heir apparent and future of the Democratic Party?
Politics :
Joe Biden is currently 80. If he decides to seek another term, he’ll be 82 on inauguration day. Clearly, he is not the future of the Democrats — but who is the next rising star and the Joe Biden heir apparent?
Let’s take a look:
KAMALA HARRIS
Just from her position as 2nd in line to the presidency, Vice President Kamala Harris is (at least on paper) the most obvious Biden heir apparent. She’s the first female and first person of color to serve as vice president in US history and some are beginning to sing her praises.
According to Time: “Since Roe fell, she has met with leaders from 38 states, including lawmakers from 18 states. She’s been subtly making herself the voice with a megaphone no one can ignore.”
However, a recent Washington Post article said some Democratic Party organizers have expressed “concerns about Harris’ political strength.”
“Harris’ tenure has been underwhelming, they said, marked by struggles as a communicator and, at times, near-invisibility, leaving many rank-and-file Democrats unpersuaded that she has the force, charisma, and skill to mount a winning presidential campaign,” the article stated.
Is Kamala Harris a victim of the vice presidency and unfair criticism? Has she already reached her peak or does she have a legitimate future in the Democratic Party?
PETE BUTTIGIEG
The former Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and current Secretary of Transportation is a popular figure in Democratic circles. The 41-year-old is a Harvard and Oxford graduate, a Rhodes Scholar, a Navy veteran, and a trailblazer for being the first openly gay cabinet secretary.
Does “Mayor Pete” have what it takes to lead the Democratic Party as the Biden heir apparent? Is the presidency in his future, or is he meant to serve his country in other ways?
GRETCHEN WHITMER
Whether she’s the Biden heir apparent or not, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan is a legitimate rising star within the Democratic Party. She is said to be responsible for turning her purple state (which helped elect Trump in 2016) back to deep blue again in 2020. She was also a finalist to be Joe Biden’s vice president and was just re-elected with ease to another term in Michigan.
GAVIN NEWSOM
Gov. Gavin Newsom of California has slowly built his political resume to become a force inside the Democratic Party and a competitive Biden heir apparent.
He was lauded for his handling of the COVID pandemic in his state and successfully survived a contentious recall vote. His leadership in California has helped to build his national presence and recognition.
Gavin Newsom has the political clout and a potential war chest of cash to seek further ambitions beyond the California Governor’s mansion. It’ll be interesting to see what’s in store for him.
WES MOORE
If there was any single Democrat that political pundits should keep an eye on, it is the new governor of Maryland, Wes Moore.
Like Buttigieg, Westley Watende Omari Moore is also an Oxford graduate and Rhodes Scholar. The 44-year-old is a US Army veteran and a former investment banker. He’s the son of Jamaican immigrants and the first Black governor of Maryland.
Interestingly, his natural charisma and good looks have many already comparing him to a young Barack Obama. He’s certainly one to watch.
OK WASSUP! discusses Politics:
Who’s the Joe Biden heir apparent?
AP:
A majority of Democrats now think one term is plenty for President Joe Biden, despite his insistence that he plans to seek reelection in 2024.
That’s according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research that shows just 37% of Democrats say they want him to seek a second term, down from 52% in the weeks before last year’s midterm elections