Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) have successfully persuaded the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to delay the nomination vote for President Joe Biden. This decision, reported by Axios, grants lawmakers and party members additional time to evaluate Biden’s candidacy amid rising concerns.
The DNC has announced that the virtual roll-call vote will now be held in the first week of August, instead of mid-July as initially scheduled. The party’s national convention is still planned for August 19-22 in Chicago. This delay provides a critical window for addressing doubts about Biden’s ability to lead the party against former President Donald Trump in November.
Biden, 81, has faced mounting criticism following a lackluster debate performance and several shaky public appearances. Key Democrats, including Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), significant donors, and progressive media voices, have expressed concerns over Biden’s mental and physical fitness to complete another term.
The initial plan was to confirm Biden’s nomination via a virtual vote before the national convention, driven by an August 7 deadline for presidential candidates in Ohio. However, Ohio lawmakers extended the deadline to September 1, prompting the DNC to adjust its schedule.
Gov. Tim Walz (D), co-chair of the DNC rules committee, relayed the need for a delay to Biden’s campaign manager, Jen O’Malley Dillon. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA), who led efforts to delay the nomination process, called the new timeline “a positive step,” while noting it might not completely resolve concerns about Biden.
“This whole idea of pushing it through quickly crumbled under pressure, and that’s a good thing,” Huffman said. The postponement aims to prevent a rushed and potentially divisive nomination process, allowing more time for a comprehensive evaluation of Biden’s candidacy.
