Will Joe Biden (80) participate again? These are possible alternatives Kiev reports heavy fighting in the Donbass +++ IAEA: Zaporizhia nuclear power plant largely intact

There has been much to celebrate for Joe Biden in recent days. The US midterm elections went much better than expected for the president and his Democrats. On Saturday, his granddaughter Naomi got married on the South Lawn of the White House. And on Sunday, Biden turned 80. No sitting president before him had reached that milestone.

There was no milestone birthday party, just a small party with the family. Joe Biden tried not to ring his “age record”. He is aware that the number 80 raises the question of whether he should run for a second term in 2024. If reelected, he will leave the White House at age 86.

Biden is remarkably fit for his age. He cycles regularly. Questions arise about his mental health because he keeps dropping out. There is no indication of senility or even dementia, but due to his age and his continued low popularity ratings, there is debate over whether he should rejoin.

Nothing against an extension

If only he had his way, the answer would be obvious. For half a century, Joe Biden has been working towards his ultimate goal of getting into the White House. Now he wouldn’t mind staying a little longer. Especially since he is said to see himself as the only one capable of preventing Donald Trump from returning as president.

Last week, Trump — he’s also 76 — threw his hat back in the ring. Although more and more Republicans are becoming frustrated with him, he has the best chance of being reappointed. The prospect of a “rematch” between old white men Biden and Trump is fueling manageable enthusiasm in the US.

Out of respect for the president, no one among the Democrats has yet dared to come out of cover. But there has long been much speculation about possible alternatives:

government

Vice President comes first Camala Harris. As a black woman from California with roots in India and Jamaica, she would be an exciting choice. But enthusiasm for the 58-year-old is limited. She was already disappointed with her 2020 candidacy, and the high turnover in her office raises questions about her leadership style.

Peter Buttigieg however, already caused a sensation in 2020. At that time, he failed due to his youth and his image as a provincial mayor. Today, the 40-year-old is Secretary of Transportation and likes to put himself in the best light when building projects funded by Biden’s infrastructure program. In addition, Buttigieg has no fear of contact with Fox News.

Congress

Some senators who tried in 2020 could run again. About Bernie Sanders, despite being a year older than Joe Biden. But the “icon” of the American left is as belligerent as ever. Some are confident that the Vermont senator will run for re-election if Biden steps down.

There is also speculation about the 62-year-old Amy Clobuchar, which should defend his Senate seat in Minnesota in 2024. Also the 53 year old Cory Booker from New Jersey or Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts might try again. However, Warren is 73 and like the rest of 2020, she didn’t stand a chance.

governors

The heads of government in the federal states are also under discussion. The most common will Gavin Newsom who was just effortlessly re-elected Governor of California. The 55-year-old does not want to run if Joe Biden rejoins, but he makes little secret of his ambitions.

The share price of a woman with a first name that is used to German ears has risen sharply recently: the 51-year-old Gretchen Whitmer not only was re-elected in the swing state of Michigan, but she gave the Democrats a majority in both houses of the House of Representatives. However, she stated that she did not want to run for office in 2024 (yet).

So are possible contenders J. B. Pritzker, the governor of Illinois, who comes from one of the wealthiest families in the United States. or Jared Polis of Colorado, the first governor to live in a same-sex marriage. The 2024 election is likely too early for the governor’s “freshmen”. Wes Moore (Maryland) and Josh Shapiro (Pennsylvania).

Joe Biden will announce his decision to rejoin in January. The inveterate family man wants to consult with his family during the holidays. His grandchildren had pushed him to run for 2020. Perhaps now they could convince him of a well-earned retirement on his Delaware estate.

Nancy Pelosi, 82, Steny Hoyer, 83, and Jim Clyburn, 82, the three top-ranking Democrats in the House of Representatives, demonstrated it last week. After their party lost the majority, they announced their resignation and ushered in the generational change that many had long been waiting for.