When Biden announced his withdrawal from the 2024 race, many delegates who were elected in primaries specifically to support him declared their intention to vote for Harris. With Biden out, they were free to vote according to their conscience, and with no other candidate emerging to challenge Harris she was appointed as the Decorate Nominee.
For the first time since 1968, the Democratic nominee will secure the nomination without winning a single primary vote. This is not to add to the frequently heard concerns that democracy is in decline.
It does mean that the Democratic Party’s nomination process this year is less democratic than it was in 2020 when Democrats held a vigorous primary contest, even in the midst of a pandemic, or even the Republican Party’s process this year when Donald Trump was challenged by four opponents, including Nikki Haley’s failed but spirited primary campaign.
Although Harris did not win the primary votes directly, Delegates casted their votes in a virtual roll call, with Harris receiving 99% of the votes. This process, while influenced by party elites, still involved a broad base of elected representatives.
This type of selection process is very similar to that of a selection of a dictator. In a dictatorship, the selection process is typically controlled by a small group or a single leader. It is believed that Harris received support she did due to endorsements from Democratic leaders like Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and more.
All of this was done with little or no input from the general population. This centralization of power is obvious as Harris faced no challengers or opposition as it was understood they would be suppressed.
While one would step back and feel that the selection of Harris as the Presidential Nominee was conducted in a Democratic way, the fact remains that Harris had no opposition and was selected by a driven group of elitist’s who are driving down the democratic process.
