Biden Calls Trump America’s Enemy, Do You Agree?

In a departure from a century-old custom, President Biden has chosen not to place his name on the ballot for New Hampshire’s Democratic presidential primary. This decision was publicized last Tuesday by the Biden 2024 re-election team. The rationale behind this move lies in the Democratic National Committee’s commitment to penalize candidates who participate in unsanctioned primaries, like the one New Hampshire aims to host next year.

Biden’s campaign manager, Julie Chávez Rodríguez, sent a letter to Ray Buckley, the enduring chair of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, stating that although the President is keen to join the Primary, he is bound to adhere to the Delegate Selection Rules for the 2024 Democratic National Convention, as set by the Democratic National Committee. Hence, the Biden campaign will not be submitting a Declaration of Candidacy before the deadline this Friday.

New Hampshire has a storied tradition of holding the first presidential primary, a practice that has endured for 100 years, while Iowa has initiated the party’s caucuses for 50 years. However, there have been longstanding criticisms that both states are not sufficiently representative of the broader Democratic Party due to their predominantly White populations and limited urban centers. South Carolina and Nevada, which have historically voted third and fourth, offer a more diverse electorate.

Earlier this year, the DNC approved a new calendar, proposed by President Biden, which places South Carolina in the leading position with a primary on February 3, 2024. This move has been argued to better represent minority voters, who are a critical part of the Democratic base. New Hampshire and Nevada will follow three days later, and Iowa loses its privileged early-state status.

New Hampshire law, however, stipulates that the state must host the first presidential primary. Given that the Republicans dominate the state legislature and the governor’s office, altering this law seems improbable, making the state non-compliant with DNC rules and potentially reducing its delegate count.

With Biden’s name off the ballot, speculation rises about the impact this will have on New Hampshire voters, particularly as the President remains a frontrunner despite concerns regarding his age and stamina. His decision could spark a protest vote in New Hampshire. He faces challenges from various quarters, including a potential primary challenge from Minnesota Representative Dean Phillips. Meanwhile, high-profile vaccine critic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has opted for an independent run, and spiritual adviser Marianne Williamson is attempting her second White House campaign.

In a Twitter response, Ray Buckley asserted that Biden would still likely triumph in New Hampshire, stating that the state’s voters trust him and anticipate his victory both in the primary and in the subsequent general election.