Dem
51
GOP
49
This is hardly surprising, but we pass along anyhow that yesterday, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) said he would not be mounting a third presidential run in 2024.
Joe Biden looks like he will have a very easy path to the Democratic nomination, and this story illustrates why. No "establishment" Democrat is going to challenge a sitting "establishment" Democratic president, which means the only potential headache for Biden was a challenge from the left. Such a challenge would not likely have been successful, but it might have forced the President to tack left, and fighting it off would also have used up precious time, energy and money.
But there isn't going to be a serious lefty challenger (loony birds don't count). In part, that is because Biden has delivered on some progressive priorities. Not all of those priorities, and not to the extent that the AOCs of the world would like, but some of them. Perhaps more importantly, progressives are scared witless of a second Trump presidency (or a first DeSantis presidency). They are not willing to risk doing anything that might help make that possible. Sanders himself, in announcing his non-bid, said: "I don't think one has many alternatives. What's at stake is the future of American democracy."
And so, Biden likely won't have a nasty Hillary vs. Bernie-type situation, and he can spend the next year uniting the Democratic Party behind him. That will be a big advantage once campaign season really heats up. (Z)