The unexpected twist in the presidential race: Biden endorses Kamala Harris

The political landscape in the United States has experienced an unexpected and unprecedented turn with President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from the campaign for re-election. After weeks of resisting mounting pressures, Biden has finally announced his support for Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party candidate in the elections against Republican Donald Trump. This unexpected move has shaken the foundations of the party just a month before the Democratic National Convention, leaving a series of uncertainties about the nomination process and the future of the presidential race. The last time a sitting president abandoned his re-election campaign was in 1968, with Lyndon Baines Johnson. Given the lack of recent precedents, doubts arise about the way forward to nominate a new candidate at this advanced stage of the electoral process. Although Biden already had a sufficient number of delegates to secure the nomination, his endorsement of Harris does not imply an automatic commitment from these delegates. The Democratic National Convention, scheduled for August 19, could face the possibility of an open convention, where delegates would have the responsibility of choosing the new candidate. In this scenario of uncertainty, Kamala Harris emerges as the figure with the highest chances of replacing Biden in the Democratic candidacy. With explicit support from Biden, as well as prominent party figures like Bill and Hillary Clinton, Harris has broad political support that could be crucial in the upcoming decisions. Furthermore, Harris already has a solid financial base, with $96 million raised for her campaign, giving her an advantage if her nomination is confirmed. This contrasts with the potential financial complication that would arise from selecting a new candidate, as the funds raised would need to be refunded to donors. Among the possible alternative candidates that have emerged are Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and the governors of Pennsylvania and Illinois, Josh Shapiro and JB Pritzker respectively. However, Harris stands out for her political and financial support, as well as her experience and visibility as vice president. The final decision on who will be the Democratic candidate for the presidency of the United States in the upcoming November elections remains uncertain and subject to a complex process of deliberation and voting by delegates. The unity of the party and the ability to mobilize support in this new political scenario will be crucial for the future of the Democratic campaign and its confrontation with Donald Trump at the polls.