Biden's wise exit makes room for hope

While Biden abandoned his reelection bid, it was both an unlucky and lucky turn of events for Democrats across the nation.

The moment has potential to revitalize the party’s chances at defeating Trump, in part by engaging younger voters who felt discouraged by Biden’s age.

“We [the Democratic Party] will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead,” former President Barack Obama said in a recent statement on social media. “But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges.”

The lucky part for Democrats is that concerns over Biden’s age — 81 — and all the questions it sparked over his ability to carry out a second term, are over. The unlucky part for the Democratic Party lies in the next few days ahead as the struggle to swap out a candidate and find a vice-presidential running mate ensues.

The presumptive nominee is Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris, 59, born in Oakland, Calif., began her career as a district attorney before working in the San Francisco city attorney’s office. Harris was elected attorney general of California in 2010 and reelected in 2014, before serving in the U.S. Senate. Harris was the second Black woman senator in history, as well as the first South Asian American.

While Biden did not endorse Harris in his initial statement, he did shortly after.

“I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party — and unite our nation — to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda,” Harris said in a statement Sunday.

Harris has more appeal to Generation Z than Biden. Harris is the first woman vice president — let alone the first to be of either Jamaican or South Asian descent. If Harris were to win the nomination and go on to win the presidential election, she would be the first Black and South Asian woman to be president.

Support quickly poured in for Harris’ candidacy: She raised $80 million within 24 hours of joining the race.

Additionally, Harris provides some contrast in the election. Trump is white and in his late 70s. His running mate, J.D. Vance, 39, is also a white man. They could face a harder time appealing to a more progressive Gen Z, an estimated 40 million of whom are eligible to vote in the upcoming presidential election, according to Axios.

About 36% of Gen Z adults identify as Democrats, higher than any other age group. Many such adults are already expressing their support for Harris on social media, proliferating memes based on some of her public appearances and drawing connections between her and pop star Charli XCX.

Younger progressive voters may have Israel’s war in Gaza in mind as they prepare to hear more about Harris’ platform. One poll from Quinnipiac University in November showed 55% of voters under 35 had more sympathy toward Palestinians than Israelis when it comes to the conflict.

Although Harris might have a chillier relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu than Biden and was the first senior administrator to call for a temporary cease-fire in March, it’s unclear whether much would change under her administration in terms of U.S. involvement in the war.

Some may argue California Gov. Gavin Newsom, 56, would be a good fit to replace Biden in the race, but Newsom has already expressed support for Harris, according to Politico, and is seen by some as a potential vice-presidential pick.

Newsom and Harris worked together in San Francisco when Harris was serving as district attorney and Newsom was the city’s mayor, a past relationship that could pave the way for a Harris-Newsom ticket.

Newsom’s role internationally is also impressive. According to Bloomberg News, in late July, Newsom went to the Vatican to chat with Pope Francis about climate change. In 2023, he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

For Democrats, who seem to be coming together to back Harris, the final word won’t come until Aug. 19, the Democratic National Convention, when the nominee will be finalized.