loading
But that was in late March, extremely late even before the modern nomination calendar became as advanced as it is today. Unlike Johnson, Biden has already secured enough delegates for the nomination.
Johnson's running mate, Hubert Humphrey, was later crushed by Richard Nixon in the 1968 election, when Republican Nixon won in a landslide.
Can Biden be removed from the ticket?
It would be difficult. Biden faced minimal opposition in his party's primaries and has won 99% of pledged delegates at the convention.
These delegates will be chosen largely because of their loyalty to the president. Without extraordinary circumstances and a backup plan, it's unlikely they'll get you off the ticket.
Any challenger to Biden would have to announce his candidacy before the formal vote, publicly challenging the incumbent in a high-risk coup attempt.
How soon should a decision be made?
soon
The Democratic National Committee had already planned to boost Biden's nomination in a phone call ahead of the convention to meet the Aug. 7 voting deadline in Ohio.
The Republican-led Ohio Legislature has extended that deadline, but Democratic Speaker Jaime Harrison has said the party will go ahead with the early call anyway, making the convention, which begins Aug. 19, a mere formality. .
What if Biden resigns after the convention?
The decision to replace him would be made by the members of the DNC. But then the party would face another hurdle: ballots printed with Biden's name already on them.
Laws vary by state on how a vote for Biden would be counted if he is no longer the nominee, but his votes would likely go to his replacement when the Electoral College meets.
Who are the possible successors?
Vice President Kamala Harris is the most logical heir, but it wouldn't be automatic.
Vice President Kamala Harris: Could she step into Biden's shoes now?Credit: AP
Other candidates waiting in the wings, who endorsed Biden and continue to publicly support him, include California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
None of those candidates have polled better against Trump than Biden, according to a Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll of seven battleground states.
What about the money?
Modern presidential campaigns are very expensive enterprises, and financial considerations would play no small role.
Biden's campaign and party had $212 million in cash on hand at the end of May, and that money would be available to Harris if he took over at the top of the ticket. Any other candidate would probably have to start from scratch.
The Biden campaign and the Democratic Party have already spent about $346 million to try to re-elect Biden.
Choosing another candidate could require spending even more money to introduce a new name to voters.
Biden's will
There is no evidence that Biden is ready to end his campaign. And it would be nearly impossible for Democrats to replace him unless he chose to step aside.
Here's why: The delegates Biden won in the primaries are pledging to support him
All states have already held their presidential primaries. Democratic rules say the delegates Biden won would have to back him at the party's next national convention unless he tells them he's dropping out of the race.
The president indicated he had no plans to do so, telling supporters in Atlanta shortly after leaving the debate stage: “Let's move on.” Biden campaign spokeswoman Lauren Hitt was even clearer, saying Friday, “Of course he's not quitting.”
