Democrats vow ‘orderly process’ to replace Biden

WASHINGTON (AP) — Shortly after President Joe Biden announced he was abandoning his reelection campaign, Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison had a message: There would be no automatic coronation of his replacement.

“In the coming days, the party will embark on a transparent and orderly process to move forward,” Harrison said in a statement. “This process will be governed by established party rules and procedures. Our delegates stand ready to take seriously their responsibility to quickly present a candidate to the American people.”

The comment reflected the reality that while Vice President Kamala Harris is emerging as the overwhelming favorite to become the party’s nominee, it’s not that simple. And for now, the party isn’t revealing many details about what will happen.

Some members of the Democratic National Committee had already begun privately discussing contingency plans for the possibility that Biden might step down before his decision to do so on Sunday. A committee that will set party rules for the Democratic National Convention, which begins Aug. 19 in Chicago, will meet virtually on Wednesday to discuss next steps.

Harris must formally secure the nominations of the roughly 4,700 Democratic convention delegates, including those who had pledged to Biden as well as elected officials, former presidents and other party veterans known as superdelegates.

Wearing sweats and dining on anchovy pizza with members of her staff at the vice president’s residence on Sunday, Harris spent more than 10 hours calling more than 100 party leaders, members of Congress, governors, union leaders and leaders of civil rights organizations. She was spreading the message that she is seeking the Democratic nomination, her advisers said.

Biden won the Democratic primary in every state and Harris was listed as his running mate. The fact that he has endorsed her as his successor while withdrawing from the presidential race further strengthens his case, as does the support of figures at the top of the party. Other senior Democrats openly backed the vice president even before Biden dropped out of his re-election bid, urging him to “pass the torch” to her after her dismal performance in the debate with Republican candidate Donald Trump last month.