Biden gives Democrats the option of rallying to Harris

Significance Biden’s decision ends three damaging weeks for his party, which its leaders now expect to unite around Harris. Although she does not improve their current chances of retaining the White House, she has a better chance of boosting Democratic turnout, so helping Democrats running for other offices. Impacts Harris is open to Republican accusations, and Democrat resentment, that she helped “cover up” the extent of Biden’s physiological problems. Fears about Democratic abstentions this year may be overstated given that 58% of Democratic voters used a mail-in ballot in 2020. Early responses from major US allies, including the United Kingdom and Australia, suggest Biden’s decision is seen as positive.