(TheIndependentStar.com) – Showcasing his highly diminished position going into the 2024 presidential race, Joe Biden confronts a critical juncture marked by a steady decline in approval ratings and an array of contenders vying for his position.
This challenging political landscape was just further complicated by Jill Stein’s announcement to pursue the Green Party presidential nomination for a second time.
This decision was met with concern by many Democrats who recall her impact on the 2016 election, where they believe she undermined Hillary Clinton’s campaign against Donald Trump.
Stein’s entrance into the race signifies a growing fragmentation within the left, presenting potential obstacles for Biden as he navigates a field that now includes candidates from the left, center, and independent spectrums.
This development coincides with Senator Joe Manchin’s (D-W.Va.) revelation that he will not seek reelection, fueling speculation about his possible presidential ambitions.
Stein articulates her candidacy as an alternative to the two-party system, echoing a sentiment of disillusionment with the established political structure. “The political system is broken. The two Wall Street parties are bought and paid for. Over 60 percent of us now say the bipartisan establishment has failed us, and we need a party that serves the people,” Stein stated in her campaign launch video.
Stein’s reemergence in politics follows Cornel West’s independent run, creating a space for her as a far-left option.
Stein and West, both septuagenarians, diverge from other Biden rivals by focusing on electoral reform rather than Biden’s age. They advocate for restructuring the election process, proposing alternatives to the binary party choice currently dominating U.S. politics.
Progressive Democrats are expressing frustration with the Biden administration’s perceived neglect of their priorities.
An early-state Democratic activist highlighted the need for leadership emphasizing American interests and workers’ rights. “We need a president who will champion a significantly higher minimum wage, the [Protecting the Right to Organize Act], railroad workers’ right to strike, Starbucks workers’ right to organize and truly all working people’s rights to a living wage,” the activist remarked.
Challenging Biden directly in the primaries, Marianne Williamson argues that Biden’s low public approval and policy decisions necessitate open debates. “With President Biden polling low against Trump, it’s imperative he debate his challengers,” Williamson messaged on X, formerly Twitter.
Recent polls indicate Biden’s vulnerability, trailing Trump in key battleground states.
The breadth of Biden’s challengers, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s rise in polls and Manchin’s hints at a presidential run, add complexity to the Democratic landscape. Manchin’s retirement from the Senate and openness to a presidential bid underscore the shifting dynamics within the Democratic Party.
