In a move that underscores the determination of the Democratic Party to push forward with their agenda, President Joe Biden is set to clinch the 2024 presidential nomination via a virtual vote before July ends, well in advance of the Democratic National Convention slated for August. Quentin Fulks, standing firm as President Biden’s principal deputy campaign manager, confirmed on July 16th that the Democratic National Committee (DNC) remains steadfast in its decision to proceed with the virtual roll call as initially planned. This decision came during a press briefing in Milwaukee where Mr. Fulks pointed out, “Virtual roll calls are not unprecedented in presidential elections.”
The strategy to nominate President Biden prior to the August 19th convention dates back before his June 27 debate showdown with former President Donald Trump. Post-debate, there was a chorus from some quarters calling for Biden to bow out of the race. While the DNC has kept the exact date of the roll call under wraps, late July is earmarked for this pivotal event.
This resolution by the DNC didn't emerge in a vacuum but was necessitated by an Ohio statute mandating that all candidates must be officially certified by August 7th to secure their spot on the state's November ballot. With the DNC convention only kicking off on August 19th, under normal circumstances, this would have disqualified President Biden from appearing on Ohio's ballot come November. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine convened an exceptional legislative session at May's end to tackle this predicament head-on. On May 31st, Ohio's legislature passed a bill temporarily extending the certification deadline ensuring President Biden's eligibility for Ohio's November ballot.
Despite this legislative patchwork providing a temporary reprieve for President Biden's campaign ensuring his name appears on Ohio ballots, Mr. Fulks during his press address took a moment to castigate Ohio Republicans accusing them of political maneuvering with their initial resistance. "It is our duty," he asserted, "to ensure fair and free elections and guarantee an unimpeded process." He further clarified why they are proceeding with the virtual roll call despite Ohio’s legislative amendment: "They came up with a legislative solution," he said. "But we had already laid down our path before their intervention and we're sticking to it because we can’t bank on them not moving the goalposts again."
The Democratic National Convention is poised to take place in Chicago from August 19-22nd—a gathering that will officially endorse President Biden as its nominee amidst what can only be described as politically charged times. This act of pressing ahead with early nomination through virtual means clearly signals Democrats' resolve not just toward securing their candidate’s place on every state ballot but also reflects a broader commitment to adapting and overcoming bureaucratic hurdles—a testament to their readiness for electoral success come November 2024.
The strategy to nominate President Biden prior to the August 19th convention dates back before his June 27 debate showdown with former President Donald Trump. Post-debate, there was a chorus from some quarters calling for Biden to bow out of the race. While the DNC has kept the exact date of the roll call under wraps, late July is earmarked for this pivotal event.
This resolution by the DNC didn't emerge in a vacuum but was necessitated by an Ohio statute mandating that all candidates must be officially certified by August 7th to secure their spot on the state's November ballot. With the DNC convention only kicking off on August 19th, under normal circumstances, this would have disqualified President Biden from appearing on Ohio's ballot come November. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine convened an exceptional legislative session at May's end to tackle this predicament head-on. On May 31st, Ohio's legislature passed a bill temporarily extending the certification deadline ensuring President Biden's eligibility for Ohio's November ballot.
Despite this legislative patchwork providing a temporary reprieve for President Biden's campaign ensuring his name appears on Ohio ballots, Mr. Fulks during his press address took a moment to castigate Ohio Republicans accusing them of political maneuvering with their initial resistance. "It is our duty," he asserted, "to ensure fair and free elections and guarantee an unimpeded process." He further clarified why they are proceeding with the virtual roll call despite Ohio’s legislative amendment: "They came up with a legislative solution," he said. "But we had already laid down our path before their intervention and we're sticking to it because we can’t bank on them not moving the goalposts again."
The Democratic National Convention is poised to take place in Chicago from August 19-22nd—a gathering that will officially endorse President Biden as its nominee amidst what can only be described as politically charged times. This act of pressing ahead with early nomination through virtual means clearly signals Democrats' resolve not just toward securing their candidate’s place on every state ballot but also reflects a broader commitment to adapting and overcoming bureaucratic hurdles—a testament to their readiness for electoral success come November 2024.
