Cornel West, an independent presidential candidate and left-wing academic, is predicting that President Joe Biden will have an “LBJ moment” and decide not to run for re-election in 2024. This comparison is drawn from Lyndon B Johnson’s decision in 1968 not to seek re-election, citing reasons such as the war in Vietnam and domestic divisions.
West has suggested that Biden, who is 81 and would be 86 at the end of a potential second term, may be running out of gas as a candidate. In his stead, West mentioned the potential for a “B team” of younger Democrats including Gavin Newsom, governor of California, and Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, to step up in the race. Notably, West did not mention Kamala Harris, Biden’s vice-president.
The 70-year-old West mentioned that he might end up running against a “B team” of younger Democrats due to Biden “running out of gas”. Although West did not mention Kamala Harris, Biden’s vice-president, he said he may run against a younger team of Democratic candidates.
In response, a Trump spokesperson questioned West’s qualifications and claimed that he should stick to academia rather than engaging in politics. West, who has been associated with the People’s party and the Green party before becoming independent, is campaigning to appeal to a broader demographic, including the 38% of non-voters and young people who are growing disillusioned with politics.
In contrast to these prospects, polling indicates Biden’s weakness against potential Republican candidates, prompting West to urge voters to consider alternative options. West has emphasized the importance of considering someone with a political and intellectual record that “encompasses a whole host of things, politically, intellectually, over time and space, alongside my personal life.”
As the 2024 race continues to take shape, West’s prediction and independent candidacy serve as a reminder of the potential impact of third-party candidates and the shifting landscape of American politics.