'It's angering': Basil Smikle says Democrats not pushing Kamala Harris to replace Biden would cost them Black voters

WASHINGTON, DC: The Democratic Party is reportedly considering replacing President Joe Biden with another candidate, following his underwhelming performance in the first debate against former President Donald Trump.

Despite Vice President Kamala Harris being the obvious next in line, some party members and media outlets are suggesting alternative candidates like California Governor Gavin Newsom or former First Lady Michelle Obama, noted MNSBC analyst Basil Smikle.

Basil Smikle criticizes Democrats for overlooking VP Kamala Harris

This political strategist argued that ignoring Kamala Harris as a potential replacement for Joe Biden could alienate Black voters.

"The reality is if you're even going to have a conversation about who's next. If Kamala Harris, the sitting vice president, is not the first and last name out of your mouth, then tell me how you're going to get Black voters to engage when you change the rules to accommodate somebody other than her?" Smikle said on 'MSNBC Reports'.

Smikle also criticized the conversation as a whole, arguing that it stokes "more concern" for the party.

"The reality is I hate this open casting call. It's angering," the political analyst said according to Fox News.

"I can understand acknowledging that the president didn't have a good debate, but Democrats should be out there saying that on Joe Biden's worst day, he is orders of magnitude better than Donald Trump on his best day," he said.

"Why is that not the prevailing narrative that's coming out of that debate?" he asked.

Kamala Harris performs better than Joe Biden in polls

Some media analysts and Democratic figures have endorsed Kamala Harris as a potential replacement for Joe Biden should he step down.

A new national poll from CNN indicates that three-quarters of voters say the Democratic Party would have a better chance of keeping the White House with someone else other than Biden at the top of the party's ticket.

The survey also suggests that Harris performs slightly better than Biden in a match-up with Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee.

"This party should not, in any way, do anything to work around Ms Harris," Representative James Clyburn (D-SC) told MSNBC on Tuesday, the outlet noted.

However, Biden has shared his unwillingness to step down, “I'm the nominee of the Democratic Party. No one's pushing me out. I'm not leaving," he said in a call to the broader campaign, a source told BBC News.

He also admitted he "screwed up" in the debate against Trump in a Radio interview, saying he made a "mistake."

A fundraising email sent after the call by the Biden-Harris campaign noted Biden telling. “Let me say this as clearly and simply as I can: I'm running,” 

Netizens react to Democratic Party's infighting following Joe Biden's 'screwed up' performance 

Internet users have been reacting to the news, with many expressing their skepticism about the Democratic Party's chances of winning the election regardless of who the candidate is.

"Does it matter who it will be? Nobody can beat Trump!" wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter).

"Gonna be an interesting summer!" wrote another.

"The infighting on what to do will be highly entertaining. …and it won't matter" wrote another.

"Hilarious!!" wrote one more.

"Only the media is stoking chaos," observed one.

"It's gonna be Kamala. If not, the Dems will implode" wrote one.

"Biden said he was not withdrawing, but running. The fact is he can't even walk properly. He may win this election. But can he sustain this grueling job for four long years? It would be good for all if he decides to take frequent naps at home from January 2025 onwards." wrote one.

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