Western New York political analysts speak on Biden dropping out of 2024 presidential race

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- President Joe Biden announced Sunday that he is withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race after weeks of mounting pressure from within the Democratic Party.

Biden has become the first sitting president eligible for reelection to not run again since former President Lyndon Johnson in the 1968 election, a situation political analyst Jack O’Donnell said most voters today have never seen.

“It's a big deal to see him walk away from the Democratic nomination -- again, one that he's already earned. He's been through the primaries. He's got the support of the delegates," O'Donnell said. "This was his if he wanted it."

O'Donnell added that the pressure from his own party was what broke the proverbial dam on Biden’s campaign.

"There was a concerted effort here at the highest levels of the Democratic Party, Nancy Pelosi and her close allies coming out, Barack Obama and his allies," he said. "There is a lot of concern about if Democrats would continue to eat their own.”

Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be his successor. O’Donnell said the idea that voters aren't picking their nominee is a legitimate concern, but she's a candidate voters know well.

“People knew what they were getting with her as his number two," he said. "She also won this national election as part of the Biden-Harris ticket last time."

Former Chair of the Erie County Democratic Party Len Lenihan said while the runway to the November election is short, this was the right decision for the Democrats.

“The bottom line is, we have a chance now to reset," Lenihan said. "If it wasn't for that poor debate performance, he would not have been dropping out today, giving the Democrats a chance to re-energize the ticket and present a different team to the country."

So, how does this development affect Trump's campaign?

“A lot may depend on who she picks as vice president," said political analyst Carl Calabrese. "The three key states in this, for both sides, are Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan. Donald Trump must win one of those three."

Calabrese also said he "would not be a bit surprised" if Harris picked the Governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, or the Governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer.

"That gives them a leg up in one of those three key states,” he said.

Both Lenihan and O’Donnell said that Biden’s decision on Sunday cements his legacy, being remembered more for what he accomplished in office versus a potential loss come November.