EXPERTS ADVISORY

University of Michigan experts are available to discuss President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the presidential race and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris—and the ramifications on the political landscape.

Aaron Kall is director of U-M Debate.

“President Biden will do everything in his power to rally Democrats around the important goal of defeating Donald Trump in November. He personally did this once, but is now passing the torch to Vice President Kamala Harris as his standard-bearer,” he said.

“President Biden will address the nation later this week to highlight the accomplishments of his term in office and remind the nation of the tremendous amount of work that still remains. He will be sure to stress the historical stakes surrounding the November election, while continuing to stress a desired vision and agenda for the country’s future.”

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Jenna Bednar is faculty director of UMICH Votes and Democratic Engagement and professor of public policy and political science.

“U.S. youth are voting at the highest rate since getting the nationwide right to vote in 1971, but their lack of enthusiasm for both Trump and Biden caused forecasters to predict low youth turnout,” she said. “They seem less perturbed by Biden dropping out than older voters, but is the presumptive Democratic nomination of VP Harris enough of a switch from Biden to catch their attention?”

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Michael Traugott is research professor emeritus of political studies at the Institute for Social Research and professor emeritus of communication studies and political science.

“We are in uncharted territory historically where Joe Biden, an incumbent president, has decided not to seek reelection after securing his party’s nomination through the primary process,” he said. “His endorsement of Kamala Harris probably solves part of the problem, but the selection of a new vice presidential candidate is a problem the Democrats will have to solve.”

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