Governor Pritzker Dodges Question on Democrats Ignoring Voters to Oust Biden

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker sidestepped a direct question this weekend about whether it was wrong for the Democratic Party to override the will of voters and push President Joe Biden off the 2024 ticket. During an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Pritzker was asked to respond to former Biden Chief of Staff Ron Klain’s criticism that the decision to remove Biden was a betrayal of the 14 million Americans who voted for him in the primaries.

Rather than addressing the question head-on, Pritzker offered a roundabout defense of the party’s actions. “I do think the president was pushed by public calls from elected officials for him to drop out, from donors calling him to drop out. And I think that was wrong,” Klain had previously told CNN, emphasizing that Biden had won the nomination “fair and square.”

• Pritzker’s Evasion: When asked if it was wrong for Democrats to push Biden out, Pritzker instead praised Biden’s accomplishments and pointed to the “real challenges ahead” in the polls. He mentioned the party’s fear that voters weren’t “feeling” Biden’s campaign and highlighted the urgency of defeating Donald Trump in the upcoming election. “There is a danger on the horizon here, and that is that Donald Trump might become president again,” Pritzker said, sidestepping the question about whether the party should have respected voters' choice.

• Party Over Principle: Pritzker’s comments reflect a broader trend within the Democratic Party, where the focus has shifted from respecting the will of the voters to ensuring that the party’s candidate can generate excitement and energy—something Pritzker suggested Biden was lacking. Despite acknowledging Biden’s achievements, Pritzker pointed to Kamala Harris and her new running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, as the future of the party.

• Voter Discontent: The decision to remove Biden from the ticket has sparked controversy and frustration among Democratic voters who feel their voices were ignored. Many are concerned that the party’s top-down approach could alienate the very voters they need to mobilize in the general election.

As the 2024 race heats up, the Democrats’ handling of Biden’s exit from the campaign is likely to remain a contentious issue. Governor Pritzker’s unwillingness to directly address the question may only fuel the fire, leaving voters questioning whether their voices truly matter to the party leadership.

Don’t miss out—share this article and subscribe to our newsletter for more updates on the 2024 election.