Staff Reports
President Joe Biden’s recent exit from the 2024 presidential race has sent shockwaves through the Democratic Party, leaving many wondering how they will stitch together their nomination without a true contender. Not only has the president dropped out, but he has also handed the baton to Vice President Kamala Harris, making her the presumptive front-runner. One can’t help but chuckle at the notion of a party struggling to find a viable candidate in a political landscape overflowing with all the charisma of a soggy cardboard box.
The big question hanging in the air like a forgotten birthday balloon is who will join Harris on the ticket. California Governor Gavin Newsom wasted no time in throwing his support behind Harris, claiming she is the best candidate to “prosecute the case against Donald Trump’s dark vision.” Indeed, the Democrats are all about giving every scapegoat its chance to shine. With Biden out, the field is wide open and filled with familiar faces—all vying for their moment in the sun.
The crop of potential running mates includes some decorous names: Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Kentucky’s Governor Andy Beshear, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and even Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. It’s almost as if the party was holding auditions for a reality show called “Who Wants to Be the Next Democratic Nominee.” But amid all this speculation, a little something called the 12th Amendment could rain on their parade.
A Harris-Newsom presidential ticket? There’s one big legal hurdle: The 12th Amendment https://t.co/RAnOTOgxqx via @Yahoo
Right, but the Constitution seems to mean nothing at this level.— David Sault (@dalsault) July 22, 2024
Ah yes, the 12th Amendment—a piece of the Constitution that seems about as exciting as watching paint dry but has implications that could throw this whole thing into chaos. The text specifies that the president and vice president cannot be residents of the same state. So, here’s the kicker: while Harris calls Washington, D.C. her office, she is officially registered to vote in California. If Newsom tries to ride shotgun on the ticket, that would mean California’s 54 electoral votes could go *poof* in the wind. A rather inconvenient legal speed bump for a party that loves to drive fast and loose with the rules.
Legal experts are already sounding the alarm bells, suggesting that if a Harris-Newsom ticket emerged, California’s electors would be left with a perplexing dilemma. They’d have to choose between voting for either the presidential candidate or the vice-presidential candidate, potentially costing the ticket crucial electoral votes. The fact that an entire state would be sidelined in this political spectacle is laughable to anyone outside the Democratic bubble. It turns out that sometimes, political dreams come with a curious footnote in the Constitution that no one bothered to read.
While Democrats scramble to figure out their next steps and weigh the myriad options, one thing seems clear: if they think they can coalesce around Harris and her dream team without running into constitutional walls, they may be in for a surprise. The battle for the Democratic ticket promises to be anything but smooth sailing, and the only recipe for their success lies in solving a puzzle that might well be beyond them.
