Could Biden Be Replaced?

Update: 2024-07-01

Digest

This episode of What A Day begins with a discussion about the fallout from Biden's recent debate performance, which has led to calls for him to step aside from the presidential race. The episode explores the potential consequences of Biden leaving the race, including the possibility of an open convention and the potential candidates who could emerge. The episode also covers the Supreme Court's recent rulings, including a decision that could significantly impact how the government operates by overturning the Chevron doctrine, which allowed courts to defer to agency interpretations of ambiguous laws. The episode concludes with a discussion of the upcoming UK general election and the potential for a Labour victory.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction

This Chapter introduces the episode and the hosts, Trevelle Anderson and Josie Duffy Rice, and sets the stage for the discussion on the Supreme Court's recent rulings and the fallout from Biden's debate performance.

00:00:31

Supreme Court Decisions

This Chapter discusses the Supreme Court's recent rulings, including the Amtala abortion case, the Grants Pass v. Johnson case, and the Loper Bright Enterprises v. Remando case, which overturned the Chevron doctrine and could significantly impact how the government operates.

00:18:35

Headlines

This Chapter covers various news headlines, including the results of the French parliamentary elections, the dismantling of the U.S. military's floating pier in Gaza, suicide bombings in Northern Nigeria, and Steve Bannon's imprisonment.

00:22:00

Outro

This Chapter concludes the episode with a reminder to subscribe, leave a review, and support organizations working to end homelessness. It also promotes the What A Day newsletter and provides credits for the episode.

Keywords

Supreme Court

The highest federal court in the United States, responsible for interpreting the Constitution and federal laws. It consists of nine justices appointed for life by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Supreme Court's decisions have a significant impact on American law and society.

Chevron Doctrine

A legal doctrine established in the 1984 Supreme Court case Chevron U.S.A. Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. It holds that courts should defer to an agency's interpretation of a statute if the statute is ambiguous and the agency's interpretation is reasonable. The Chevron doctrine has been a cornerstone of administrative law, but it was overturned by the Supreme Court in the Loper Bright Enterprises v. Remando case in 2023.

Biden

Joe Biden is the 46th and current president of the United States. He is a member of the Democratic Party and served as vice president under Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017. Biden's recent debate performance has sparked controversy and calls for him to step aside from the presidential race.

Open Convention

A political convention where delegates are not bound to vote for a particular candidate and can vote for any candidate they choose. Open conventions are rare in the United States, but they can occur if a candidate withdraws from the race or if there is no clear consensus candidate.

Democratic Party

One of the two major political parties in the United States. The Democratic Party is generally considered to be center-left on the political spectrum and advocates for social justice, economic equality, and environmental protection.

Donald Trump

The 45th president of the United States, a member of the Republican Party. Trump is a controversial figure who has been accused of corruption, racism, and sexism. He is running for president again in 2024.

Gaza

A Palestinian territory on the Mediterranean coast, bordered by Israel and Egypt. Gaza has been under Israeli blockade since 2007, which has severely restricted the movement of people and goods. The U.S. military recently built a floating pier in Gaza to facilitate aid delivery, but it was dismantled due to weather conditions and security concerns.

Boko Haram

A Nigerian Islamist terrorist group that has been active in the northeast of the country since 2009. Boko Haram is known for its attacks on civilians, schools, and government buildings. The group has been responsible for thousands of deaths and has displaced millions of people.

UK General Election

The general election in the United Kingdom, held every five years to elect members of the House of Commons. The election is expected to be held in 2024 and will determine whether the Labour Party can reclaim power from the Conservative Party.

Q&A

What are the potential consequences of Biden leaving the race?
If Biden were to leave the race, it could lead to an open convention where delegates are free to vote for any candidate they choose. This could result in a mini-primary among potential candidates, with delegates vying for support. It could also lead to a scenario where Biden pledges his delegates to Vice President Harris, but they are not bound to vote for her.
What is the Chevron doctrine and why is its overturning significant?
The Chevron doctrine, established in 1984, held that courts should defer to an agency's interpretation of a statute if the statute is ambiguous and the agency's interpretation is reasonable. The Supreme Court's overturning of the Chevron doctrine in the Loper Bright Enterprises v. Remando case could significantly impact how the government operates, as it gives federal courts more power to interpret ambiguous laws and potentially override agency expertise.
What are some of the potential candidates who could emerge if Biden leaves the race?
Some potential candidates who could emerge if Biden leaves the race include Vice President Kamala Harris, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Pete Buttigieg. However, it is unclear whether any of these candidates could unite the Democratic Party and effectively challenge Donald Trump in the general election.
What are the key issues at stake in the upcoming UK general election?
The upcoming UK general election is expected to be a close race between the Labour Party and the Conservative Party. The key issues at stake include the economy, healthcare, and social welfare. The election will also be a test of the Labour Party's ability to reclaim power after 27 years of Conservative rule.

Show Notes

The Biden campaign spent the weekend trying to contain the damage from the president’s devastating performance in Thursday night’s presidential debate. Biden acknowledged his lackluster showing during a campaign event in North Carolina on Friday. Still, it didn’t do much to end the sheer panic that has overtaken the Democratic Party and quiet the calls for him to leave the race ahead of the Democratic National Convention. Colby Itkowitz, national reporter for The Washington Post, explains what would happen if Biden were to step aside before the DNC in August.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court kicked Democrats while they were down Friday morning. The justices issued a flurry of opinions limiting the ways government agencies can set regulations, allowing city officials to remove homeless encampments, and undermining a key charge used by prosecutors in hundreds of cases against January 6 rioters. The court is expected to wrap up its term today, meaning we expect a decision in the most significant case of the year — whether former President Donald Trump is immune from prosecution for his role in the insurrection.

And in headlines: France’s far-right political party won big in the country’s parliamentary elections Sunday, the U.S. dismantled the floating pier that the military built for aid delivery in Gaza, and Steve Bannon must turn himself into prison today after the Supreme Court rejected his appeal to delay his sentence.

Show Notes: