(FreePressBeacon.com) – Feeling defiant over calls to withdraw from the presidential race, Joe Biden recently asserted that delegates are free to choose someone else over him if they wish during next month’s Democratic National Convention.
During the question-and-answer session at the tail end of a one-hour NATO speech with ten different reporters, Biden was asked about his waning support within his own party from lawmakers to donors and delegates.
“Obviously, they’re free to do whatever they want, but I get overwhelming support, overwhelming support,” Biden remarked about the delegates.
Reflecting on his primary election victories, Biden commented, “I won how — I forget — how many votes I won in the primary. Overwhelming.”
He added, “And so tomorrow, if all of a sudden, I show up at the convention, everybody says we want somebody else, that’s the democratic process. It’s not going to happen.”
He continued to express confidence in his qualifications, “But I think I’m the best, I know, I believe I’m the best qualified to govern, and I think I’m the best qualified to win.”
Biden frequently praised Kamala Harris during his address, mistakenly referring to her as “Vice President Trump” at one point.
He affirmed his choice of Harris as his vice presidential pick, stating early on that he would not have chosen her if he “didn’t think she was qualified” to be president.
However, when asked if he would step aside for Harris if data indicated she would perform better against Trump in November, Biden firmly stated, “No, unless they came back and said there’s no way you could win.”
Discussions about potential substitutes if Biden were not the nominee center on Harris due to the complex Federal Election Commission rules on fund transfers, DNC rules and the potential impact on key voter demographics.
Should a new nominee be needed, DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison would consult with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Democratic Governors Association Chair Tim Walz to propose a candidate.
This nominee would then need approval from DNC members, but in a smaller, more select group than the broader delegate body.
As it stands, most of the convention delegates are pledged to Biden and were selected based on the assumption he would be the nominee, as he faced no primary challenger.
However, should Biden vacate his nomination after the selection, DNC members would then select the party’s candidate.
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