CNN chief domestic affairs correspondent Jeff Zeleny said on “The Lead” on Wednesday that he’s been told by White House advisers that “contingency plans” are underway in case President Joe Biden decides not to run for president.
Host Jake Tapper said, “CNN’s latest report is that multiple Democratic officials and advisers are saying plans are underway for Biden to step down, for the president to endorse the vice president and free up Democratic delegates. CNN’s Jeff Zeleny broke the report.”
Zeleny said, “It’s worth noting, Jake, that President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are spending a significant amount of time together today. She’s scheduled to meet with Democratic governors at the White House this evening. Of course, she had lunch with the president today, which is not unusual. It’s something the president and vice president do, but the timing is important. As one adviser explained to me, “He’s with her.”
He added: “As the president makes his decision, which is his to make, there are contingency plans, so to speak, contingency plans, session plans, underway. The discussions are around what happens if Biden decides to step down. I’ve heard from some of my advisers that if he makes that decision, he would be expected to immediately endorse his vice president and ask the delegates to endorse her as well. And former presidents and party leaders would be asked to endorse her and likely agree. Maybe not all of them, but they would be asked to do so. One adviser told me: Who is going to be the presidential nominee against our historic vice president? The bottom line is, we’re running out of time. Time is running out. The Democratic convention is next month. Who knows how long it will take Biden to decide this. So, again, contingency plans, succession plans if he makes that decision. Will this satisfy everyone? Maybe not, but it looks like it will.”
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