President Joe Biden has faced mounting criticism following his lackluster performance in a recent debate against former President Donald Trump. This has amplified concerns within the Democratic Party about his viability as a candidate for re-election. In response, some political strategists are floating the idea of a “Plan C” that involves replacing Vice President Kamala Harris with former President Barack Obama on the 2024 ticket, a maneuver they believe could rescue Biden’s struggling campaign.
Prominent legal scholar John Banzhaf from the George Washington University Law School has championed this idea, pointing out that Obama remains one of the most trusted and popular figures in American politics. Banzhaf argues that the vast support for Obama could give the Biden campaign the necessary momentum to overtake Trump, who currently possesses a significant Electoral College advantage. Banzhaf says, “Barack Obama is probably one of the few persons whom a majority of Americans would want and trust as president, making Plan C a less objectionable option for Biden and the Democratic Party.”
The proposal hinges on nuanced interpretations of the 12th and 22nd Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. While these amendments restrict a two-term president from being elected to office once more, Banzhaf asserts that they do not preclude Obama from serving as vice president. Per the 22nd Amendment, Obama is barred from being elected president again, but this does not prohibit him from ascending to the presidency through succession without being elected. Similarly, the 12th Amendment does not explicitly prevent a former president from being elected vice president and becoming president if the incumbent cannot continue in office.
Banzhaf further elaborated that a Biden-Obama ticket could instill renewed confidence among the American public and create a robust backup plan should Biden’s health or capability to govern come into question. Should Biden be elected alongside Obama, he could theoretically resign shortly after the inauguration, allowing Obama to assume the presidency without breaching constitutional limitations.
Beyond the electoral implications, this strategy also offers Biden potential political advantages. Should he step down, it could facilitate his ability to navigate controversial issues such as pardoning his son, Hunter Biden, for legal troubles while minimizing political backlash. This maneuver would enable Biden to break his public promise without direct involvement, diffusing some political fallout.
The notion of Obama returning to the White House in any capacity is met with skepticism regarding his personal willingness to accept a secondary role. However, his consistent concern over Biden’s performance and the implications for the Democratic Party might compel him to consider the proposition in light of the broader political picture.
This proposal encapsulates the strategists’ desperation and determination, illustrating the complexities of modern American politics where unconventional solutions are proposed to confront extraordinary challenges. Whether Biden and the Democratic Party adopt this path remains uncertain. Still, the debate over “Plan C” underscores the critical juncture at which the party finds itself as it navigates the road to the 2024 election.
