1968 in the us, and seen this since 1968 in the us, and even then, it wasn't quite like this, so i think there is cautious optimism, but i think it will really come down to come up with the world watching, whether or not democrats can get their messaging and candidate in order and get them to the stage by the time of the convention. and, christina, do we have an idea of what might actually happen? they were set to be a virtual roll call ahead of the convention forjoe biden. is that still going to be the case? the latest date for that was the 1st of august. we are going to start referring to harris as, in practice, the nominee, but that is not actually the case until they vote for her. what must happen now is, before the convention, joe biden�*s pledged delegates are not legally obligated to vote for her. they can but don't have to. theoretically, if there was a big or real challenge, they could petition those delegates to swap votes, so in between now and then

come in the next 29 days, she has to try to get those delegates pledged to her so they can do something like that, so that before they get to the floor, they know she will get the nomination and don't have to deal with either a contentious... or contented... mil with either a contentious... or contented. . ._ contented... all of the above! perha -s contented... all of the above! perhaps a _ contented... all of the above! perhaps a freudian _ contented... all of the above! perhaps a freudian slip! - contented... all of the above! i perhaps a freudian slip! exactly. will that process _ perhaps a freudian slip! exactly. will that process happen - perhaps a freudian slip! exactly. will that process happen in - perhaps a freudian slip! exactly. i will that process happen in public? or last week, coming from milwaukee, we saw this unified, strong republican party and the split screen moment with the democrats in disarray. i think you're going to see this in private. i disarray. i think you're going to see this in private.— see this in private. i think democrats _ see this in private. i think democrats want - see this in private. i think democrats want to - see this in private. i think democrats want to get. see this in private. i think democrats want to get on see this in private. i think - democrats want to get on board as quickly and as unified as possible. i don't think you'll see a big opposition to this nomination because there is such a short time

span, there are so many nerves are around president biden losing ground to to former president truck. they think this is their best hope to get this, you are going to see some contention and division and the vp nomination. twitter has lit up for different candidates, different people they think can fill the void, and attract those middle voters that both parties are trying to swing to their side, both parties are trying to swing to theirside, because both parties are trying to swing to their side, because remember there's a democratic base and a republican base, the country is very split. the swing votes are very small proportion, so they need to figure out what voters she attracts in which she doesn't, and what would give you the best chance to swing those voters over to her side in the next 20 59 days. == those voters over to her side in the next 20 59 days.— next 20 59 days. -- 29 days. michigan _ next 20 59 days. -- 29 days. michigan and _ next 20 59 days. -- 29 days. michigan and pennsylvania, | next 20 59 days. -- 29 days. i michigan and pennsylvania, two of the key background states, is his position on the republican vp ticket influencing who would be on the democrat ticket?— influencing who would be on the democrat ticket? you're thinking of those face cards _ democrat ticket? you're thinking of those face cards that _ democrat ticket? you're thinking of

those face cards that we are - democrat ticket? you're thinking of those face cards that we are all i those face cards that we are all going to put up on tv after they choose this candidate, they want someone who can counter his message effectively, counter his energy and who could possibly swing a voter who might be interested in him and what he has to bring, his age, his experience, his back on, basically white middle—class voters are who they want to swing their way. an interesting candidate is senator mark kelly out of arizona, he is a former astronaut for me is from a swing state that is in contention, he does well with moderate voters on both sides and don't forget his wife is former congresswoman gabby giffords, who was herself a victim of gun violence, she was shot in the head, she had to step down, she has permanent damage from that but she has continued to work against gun violence and if you're trying to capture the message coming out of the rnc, that individual and his wife's experience turns that story a little bit and gives democrats a new perspective to go at it. what perspective to go at it. what ha--ens perspective to go at it. what happens at _ perspective to go at it. what happens at the _ perspective to go at it. what happens at the convention i perspective to go at it. what happens at the convention come as far as we await a official statement

from the dnc how they are going to run this process but in so much weak can educated guess on how they're going to run it?— going to run it? again, we are uuuessin going to run it? again, we are guessing here. _ going to run it? again, we are guessing here. if— going to run it? again, we are guessing here. if we - going to run it? again, we are guessing here. if we are i going to run it? again, we arei guessing here. if we are going going to run it? again, we are i guessing here. if we are going like normal convention, basically what happens is you will get to his first round of votes and bats heat. ideally hearers will have tied up all her delegates, signed over biden's delegates by the time to get to this first round of votes, you need 300 to get on the ballot. once they do that first round of votes she then becomes the nominee. where it gets tricky is if there is a lot more than one round of votes. they will really try to avoid that at all costs because it can either go one of two ways, she could be, if we get close to the 29th and she hasn't locked up all those roads then you're going to see other people potentiallyjumping in and trying to pick them off. hand potentiallyjumping in and trying to pick them off-— potentiallyjumping in and trying to ickthem off. �* ., ., , ., , pick them off. and without a primary season though. _ pick them off. and without a primary season though, how— pick them off. and without a primary season though, how does _ pick them off. and without a primary season though, how does she i pick them off. and without a primary season though, how does she knowl season though, how does she know that she has those votes locked up? traditionally you'd have that because you have the results of the primary. because you have the results of the rima . .,

because you have the results of the rima . . , , ., primary. right, and this is what ha--ened primary. right, and this is what happened in — primary. right, and this is what happened in 1968 _ primary. right, and this is what happened in 1968 the _ primary. right, and this is what happened in 1968 the really i primary. right, and this is what i happened in 1968 the really famous one in chicago that you saw all those rights from. there was a candidate who entered after the primaries, one of the primary candidates has been rfk who had been killed, so when you got to the floor there were essentially three different people vying for votes and they were all scrambling and trying to take each other�*s votes apart. i don't think were going to see that, the real campaigning will be behind the real campaigning will be behind the scenes and i think it's going to be for the vp. folks are reaching out to these candidates, folks you've artie been mentioned on here today, that's where the focus will be in, i would expect with the endorsement of president biden you would not see his delegates support here is. obviously he's got them locked up so hopefully, i'm sure her campaign which doesn't quite exist yet, but will exist in, they will hope it will carry over in a relatively easy process. find hope it will carry over in a relatively easy process. and on that, what _ relatively easy process. and on that, what did _ relatively easy process. and on that, what did she _ relatively easy process. and on that, what did she do - relatively easy process. and on that, what did she do between| relatively easy process. and on i that, what did she do between now and then because she can't even assume she's a vice presidential nominee which he was until a couple of hours ago?— of hours ago? she's kind of in olitical of hours ago? she's kind of in political no — of hours ago? she's kind of in political no man's _ of hours ago? she's kind of in political no man's land, i of hours ago? she's kind of in political no man's land, it's i of hours ago? she's kind of in l political no man's land, it's not just what to call her, we were

talking in the newsroom, what we call her? she's got three different hats and none of them are actually securely on her head at the moment. except vice president for the next few months. {iii except vice president for the next few months-— except vice president for the next few months. of course, of course. there's also _ few months. of course, of course. there's also the _ few months. of course, of course. there's also the issue _ few months. of course, of course. there's also the issue of _ few months. of course, of course. there's also the issue of the i few months. of course, of course. l there's also the issue of the money. so all the money biden has raised, that doesn't automatically go to the next person if he steps out. so there's a little bit of a debate and would have to say, the prevailing theory is because she was on the ticket, she will have access to think the 120, 100 $30 million the idea campaign to raise she canjust take that over. there's also a circumstance for the federal election regulators will say that you can access that, in which the campaign would have to give that back to the national party which would have to give it back to the harris for president campaign if that's decided that it is indeed a different ticket. all that money is of course separate from the nonofficial money which if you remember the us we have a supreme court decision in citizens united that allows us kind of outside

unregulated money, those folks can do basically whatever they want. so they can just switch their graphics and go right on ahead come the official campaign money, the americans who donated and gave money to biden, there is no question of whether or not like it was immediately to her, and likely does but that's also going to have to be figured out in addition to all this other stuff, and again, figured out in addition to all this otherstuff, and again, in figured out in addition to all this other stuff, and again, in 29 days. of other stuff, and again, in 29 days. of course there is a scenario, albeit highly unlikely where the music stops and she is left without a chair at all. i music stops and she is left without a chair at all.— a chair at all. i think it's very unlikely at — a chair at all. i think it's very unlikely at this _ a chair at all. i think it's very unlikely at this point. - a chair at all. i think it's very unlikely at this point. i i a chair at all. i think it's very unlikely at this point. i think| a chair at all. i think it's very i unlikely at this point. i think the fear of losing to donald trump will keep that from happening. already there was a huge divide among democrats, regular democrats, a very political city as this was an i was looking across the street to get my car and he could literally see people stopping and staring at their phones, everybody is dialled in. even democrats i've talked to weren't particularly called him split right down the middle, it's too late, you've got to stay would biden, or it's too late and you got to switch it up. and the party was

there as well. the fear of having any more uncertainty in the race will actually help them coalesce and help them get together and help them get on message. but i think where you're going to see you and other secondary battles, vice president, how the campaign, you're already seeing, i was watching cnn as i was coming in here. republicans already starting to call forjoe biden to step down as president. arguing that the campaign, you're already seeing, i was watching cnn as i was coming in here. republicans already starting to call forjoe biden to step down as president. arguing in campaigning —— if he's incapable of doing a campaign using capable of being in office. republicans will try to pick at this newly united democratic party, it's not going to be an easy road ahead, i think we'd all like to stop living in unprecedented times forjust like unprecedented times for just like when unprecedented times forjust like when we can. this is a chance for impress the surgeon be together, and present a challenge for a race that they were on the back foot of. it’s they were on the back foot of. it's a crazy day _ they were on the back foot of. it's a crazy day in washington, dc. there will be nobody having brunch and lunch and dinner, and wearing their shirts, they're all work. thanks so

much as always for speaking to us on bbc news. political action committee has already endorsed the vice president as well. as severaljoe biden allies in congress have praised his decision to step aside and not seek reelection. former democratic speaker of the house nancy pelosi hailed president biden as "one of the most consequential presidents in american history." — calling him a patriot in a statement on x. and, senate majority leader chuck schumer echoed that sentiment, writing in a statement "his decision of course was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and ourfuture first." the tone among congressional republicans, however, is different. the speaker of the us house of representatives, mikejohnson,

called for mr biden to step down as president saying "ifjoe biden is not fit to run for president, he is not fit to serve as president. he must resign the office immediately." us senate minority leader mitch mcconnell heavily criticised democratic party policies, writing "washington democrats have not proven themselves any more capable than the president of delivering the secure borders, safe streets, and stable prices that working families deserve." for more, let's bring in leigh ann caldwell, she's the anchor of washington post live and co—author of the early brief. thanks indeed forjoining us again on bbc news. given the pressure that had been building, was this expected thatjoe biden would reach this decision today? that joe biden would reach this decision today?— that joe biden would reach this decision today? well, it's been a tumultuous _ decision today? well, it's been a tumultuous three _ decision today? well, it's been a tumultuous three weeks - decision today? well, it's been a tumultuous three weeks since i decision today? well, it's been a l tumultuous three weeks since that debate debacle onjune 27 and the pressure wasjust debate debacle onjune 27 and the pressure was just mounting. onjoe biden to get out of the race. you know, earlier this week it was

reported, it was late to that senate majority leader chuck schumer and hakeem jeffries, the minority leader in the house had told joe biden last weekend that he was having a really, he was having a drag on down ballot races on their chances on being able to win the house and the senate. and there was just a crescendo effect where more and more members were coming out, and there was a lot, a lot of talk about more members coming out, elected officials, if joe biden didn't get out after this weekend. there had been rumours for days that it was going to happen on sunday, nobody knew for sure, but in fact it did. and you see how the party is really coalescing around this decision, praising joe biden for a storied career but also thanking him for putting the country before himself, they say.—

thanking him for putting the country before himself, they say. leon, much ofthe before himself, they say. leon, much of the discussion _ before himself, they say. leon, much of the discussion towards _ before himself, they say. leon, much of the discussion towards the - before himself, they say. leon, much of the discussion towards the end i before himself, they say. leon, much of the discussion towards the end of l of the discussion towards the end of last week in particular was how democrats had the sex —— the success of the down ballot tickets, you think that's a message that was getting down to him and perhaps swayed him? it getting down to him and perhaps swayed him?— swayed him? it was a message re orted swayed him? it was a message reported late — swayed him? it was a message reported late chuck _ swayed him? it was a message reported late chuck schumer . swayed him? it was a message i reported late chuck schumer hakeem jeffries gave, former house speaker nancy pelosi, said something similar as well to the former president, or to the president, so he was hearing it. but ultimately, it's an incredibly difficult decision, right? and there was a lot of resistance we are told from his family and some of his top advisers who didn't want him to make this decision at first. but ultimately, the fact is he lost the congress. and he had very few elected

officials who were going to stand by him, he lost the donor wing of the party, the big donors who were withholding their funds if he didn't get out of the race. and ultimately that matters. if he doesn't have money to run a campaign, he's not going to have a winning campaign. you know, part of the base of the party was still with him, saying that he should, he should stay in the race, the activists of the party, but ultimately he was coming his coalition that has been so united for the past few years and he's so united, was crumbling, and that matters. he's so united, was crumbling, and that matters-— he's so united, was crumbling, and that matters. leanne, what are you heafina that matters. leanne, what are you hearing from _ that matters. leanne, what are you hearing from within _ that matters. leanne, what are you hearing from within the _ that matters. leanne, what are you hearing from within the democratic| hearing from within the democratic party about potential other candidates? we've already have a few key endorsements for kamala harris to take on the mantle of the top of the ticket where do things stand currently? 50 the ticket where do things stand currentl ? , , currently? so is interesting. so many members _ currently? so is interesting. so many members of _ currently? so is interesting. so many members of congress, . currently? so is interesting. so i many members of congress, house currently? so is interesting. so - many members of congress, house and senate have come out in support of kamala harris, the vice president.

all signs point to what that's going to happen. there is no—one else who has stepped up to challenge her yet, it doesn't seem like there's going to be anyone who will step up to challenge her. my sources that i'm talking to say it has to be harris, because there's no—one else. and the real race and the real discussion is going to happen around who her vice president is going to be. i reported yesterday that donors had already started a quiet betting process for potential vice presidential nominees including pennsylvania government jeff shapiro, kentucky governor andy bashir, a couple other ones they are interested in as well. so it seems like even though speaker pelosi majority leader schumer, minority leaderjeffries and former president obama had not yet come out and

endorsed kamala harris yet. it seems like that's the direction that it's moving and the real conversation is going to be who heard the vp is. already the polls since before the debate had donald trump ahead ofjoe biden, particularly in those battleground states where this election will be fought and won. what impact is this going to have now become a changing of the candidate and any delay that might take on the democrat's performance in the election?— in the election? honestly we don't really know _ in the election? honestly we don't really know yet. _ in the election? honestly we don't really know yet. some _ in the election? honestly we don't really know yet. some of- in the election? honestly we don't really know yet. some of that i really know yet. some of that pulling about kamala harris if she would be stronger than president biden, she was at about the same place as president biden was in some of these battleground polling and this national polling, but it's also really hard to tell me, to pull a hypothetical. it's hard for voters and respondents to think about that when it's not actually happening. and so the next few weeks are going to be absolutely critical and, or

important, and interesting, ishould say — in how kamala harris, should you be the nominee is going to do. but what became more and more obvious over the past couple of weeks as president biden was unable to win these battleground states. he was having, potentially having an impact on some of these key states where, where senate candidates as well were running, and you know, throughout this whole past couple of weeks, the choice for elected officials that they were weighing was do we stick with the known which is incredibly risky, joe biden, or do we go with the unknown which is also risky but it is an unknown to what might work out? and ultimately, they coalesced around the unknown. and caldwell of washington post, thank you so much for speaking to us on bbc news. —— leanne caldwell.

joining me is north america correspondent nada tawfik(1. correspondent nada tawfik. what we know about the president, his condition, what's he doing today? his condition, what's he doing toda ? t, t, t, . t, his condition, what's he doing toda ? t, t, t, �* today? yeah, well katrina, joe biden has been here _ today? yeah, well katrina, joe biden has been here just _ today? yeah, well katrina, joe biden has been here just a _ today? yeah, well katrina, joe biden has been here just a few— today? yeah, well katrina, joe biden has been here just a few hundred i has been here just a few hundred feet away from where i am now in his private home community and that kind of quiet, that silence really started to ramp up speculation that he was discussing his future. no of course in the statement they're coming from social media, not in person from washington, from the white house on camera, has certainly led to questions about when he will be seen in public, when he will be making that announcement, he said he'd be speaking later this week, but when exactly still not known.

it's been interesting of course, he's a former senator of delaware, and the bidens of course have a long history in this state. it was interesting to see a statement from hunter bidenjust a interesting to see a statement from hunter biden just a few moments ago on social media. really paying tribute to the character of his father as a person, and also as a commander—in—chief, and asking other americans tojoin into his commander—in—chief, and asking other americans to join into his father for his years of service. in katrina, you can see the secret service posted right here which is in a state park beach, i've been speaking to those who have been sunbathing who are just coming off the off the beach the last of yours and they said that they heard the news, saw it on their phones and it was surreal for them to know all of this was happening again so close to where they are. rather than in washington, dc. but those i've spoken to across the political aisles, a lot of appreciation for joe biden to come of them saying to

me that they wish him well and that they believe that this decision was inevitable, though the timing for them of course surprising still. thud them of course surprising still. and our many supporters gathering outside wherejoe biden lives or anything like that? outside where joe biden lives or anything like that?— anything like that? yeah, it's interesting — anything like that? yeah, it's interesting to _ anything like that? yeah, it's interesting to see _ anything like that? yeah, it's interesting to see that i anything like that? yeah, it's interesting to see that there | anything like that? yeah, it's i interesting to see that there has been kind of a rally announced in washington, dc for his supporters to kind of pay tribute to him. we haven't seen anything yet like that, katrina, here in delaware, but people are still absorbing the news thatis people are still absorbing the news that is coming out so we'll see what happens here in delaware, so certainly from those who have known him as a senator, a lot of appreciation. there are many kind of looking more forward thinking at the moment. they are now questioning what happens with the democratic party moving forward. joe biden here in that statement, he endorsed kamala harris, those i've spoken

with say for the democratic side at least, look, they will vote for whoever the nominee is, but they would be excited to see a little bit of healthy competition. some have noted that kamala harris, you know, the party and the administration could have done more perhaps the kind of build up your profile across the nation as vice president. they worry that not enough is known about what she's been doing withjoe biden, to kind of rock some successes through his presidency, through his term. you know of course, she's connected to the border which has been a very tough issue for democrats because she was kind of the border and saw her, so some are concerned how she would do against donald trump and wondering if there should be an open, tentative process but look, it's very early of course to discuss these things and people here on the beach are just getting the news with everyone along with the country and trying to process with next. thud everyone along with the country and

trying to process with next.- trying to process with next. and the rest of the world _ trying to process with next. and the rest of the world indeed. _ trying to process with next. and the rest of the world indeed. thank i trying to process with next. and the rest of the world indeed. thank you | rest of the world indeed. thank you so much forjoining us they're from delaware. let's talk about everything that's going on in the last few hours, our panel are still here from a former democratic congresswoman from florida and former congressman from illinois, rodney davis. thanks for being still with us us through this very dramatic news. just seeing the donald trump has put out a statement calling for the debate that was scheduled to take place in september and abc for that to move to fox, but that he does still want to do that to be. stephanie, what is the debate fit into all of this, given that it could be late august before there is a firm set of candidates from the democratic party could not i certainly believe that once the democratic party selects the nominee that a debate will be warranted. thud that a debate will be warranted. and i think and that a debate will be warranted. fific i think and i'm excited that a debate will be warranted. fific i think and i'm excited about the prospect of a different messenger being able to prosecute the case

about why democrats should win in the fall. and to be on the debate stage with trump. i think one of the things that the republicans have used against president biden was his age, and certainly whoever becomes our nominee, that message will be taken away from them. the person and the party who has elected, or nominated a president presidential nominee who is too old will be the republicans. nominee who is too old will be the republicans-— nominee who is too old will be the republicans. nominee who is too old will be the reublicans. ., , ., , ., ,, ., republicans. rodney, do you think a debate in september _ republicans. rodney, do you think a debate in september would - republicans. rodney, do you think a debate in september would know i republicans. rodney, do you think a i debate in september would know take on required viewing status in this campaign? on required viewing status in this cam main? ~ ., on required viewing status in this campaign?— on required viewing status in this cam-tain? . , campaign? well, and he debate is atoin to campaign? well, and he debate is going to be _ campaign? well, and he debate is going to be basically _ campaign? well, and he debate is going to be basically required i going to be basically required viewing — going to be basically required viewing status. the last debate was and the _ viewing status. the last debate was and the world witnessed what many had seen _ and the world witnessed what many had seen behind the scenes in the white _ had seen behind the scenes in the white house and actually publicly, that president biden has declined. he's a _ that president biden has declined. he's a different person than the vice president that i flew with on air force — vice president that i flew with on air force two in 2015. the world knows _

air force two in 2015. the world knows that some of the world sees that, _ knows that some of the world sees that, and now we see courts coming from _ that, and now we see courts coming from politico— that, and now we see courts coming from politico that even senior level staff members were surprised by this announcement. there's got to be some questions _ announcement. there's got to be some questions it— announcement. there's got to be some questions it answered. the gas lighting — questions it answered. the gas lighting coming from democrats across _ lighting coming from democrats across the globe that somehowjoe biden_ across the globe that somehowjoe biden was— across the globe that somehowjoe biden was standing up and doing this on his— biden was standing up and doing this on his own _ biden was standing up and doing this on his own has got to move away and bring _ on his own has got to move away and bring us _ on his own has got to move away and bring us some reality. the reality is, joe _ bring us some reality. the reality is, joe biden up until today and his entire _ is, joe biden up until today and his entire white house operation and campaign — entire white house operation and campaign team thought he was staying in the race _ campaign team thought he was staying in the race. what happened? what changed? — in the race. what happened? what changed? this is a man fighting coven _ changed? this is a man fighting coven right now? the world knows that, _ coven right now? the world knows that, and — coven right now? the world knows that, and we need to get questions answered — that, and we need to get questions answered. if i was still in congress, i would answered. if i was still in congress, iwould be answered. if i was still in congress, i would be looking at a multitude — congress, i would be looking at a multitude of ways to get those questions answered. first about the process— questions answered. first about the process to _ questions answered. first about the process to replace joe biden as house — process to replace joe biden as house administration ranking member, if i house administration ranking member, if i would've _ house administration ranking member, if i would've been chairman at this time, _ if i would've been chairman at this

time, i_ if i would've been chairman at this time, i would if i would've been chairman at this time, iwould have if i would've been chairman at this time, i would have said letters to the democratic party's of every state _ the democratic party's of every state asking them to lay out their process— state asking them to lay out their process to — state asking them to lay out their process to make sure that those processes — process to make sure that those processes are followed to a t. and frankly, _ processes are followed to a t. and frankly, republicans could take a page _ frankly, republicans could take a page from democrats, they might want to put— page from democrats, they might want to put together a select committee to put together a select committee to begin _ to put together a select committee to begin asking questions about this process, _ to begin asking questions about this process, wondering whether, and getting _ process, wondering whether, and getting answers that many americans are wondering, did joe getting answers that many americans are wondering, didjoe biden actually— are wondering, didjoe biden actually make this decision or didn't— actually make this decision or didn't he? _ actually make this decision or didn't he? and at one point when you're _ didn't he? and at one point when you're talking about hunter biden defending joe biden, when you're talking about hunter biden defendingjoe biden, when are you're talking about hunter biden defending joe biden, when are we going _ defending joe biden, when are we going to _ defending joe biden, when are we going to see the hunter biden party was stephanie, do you want to respond — was stephanie, do you want to respond to that what round he was saying _ respond to that what round he was saying this — respond to that what round he was saying this for congress? | respond to that what round he was saying this for congress?— saying this for congress? i hope what republicans _ saying this for congress? i hope what republicans do _ saying this for congress? i hope what republicans do is - saying this for congress? i hope what republicans do is what i saying this for congress? i hope i what republicans do is what ronnie said, he has chosen to step down and is no longer the potential nominee

for the democratic party. because as the democratic party is going to move forward, they will focus on the future and they will focus on who can be responsive to the american people. we can go down this rabbit hole of conspiracy theories, but that's not where the american people are. they have been begging us for years now to give them options other than the ones that they had another democratic party is going to be responsive to that, so if the republicans want to open a an investigation into what is party politics as to how somebody gets nominated or doesn't get nominated, or whether or not they choose to be nominated, have at it. the democratic party is going to talk about the future of this country and i think it's going to stand in stark contrast to recriminations about the past and also conspiracy theories that don't actually affect the daily lives of the american people. who cares? how president biden came to the decision not to move forward?

more people care about is the economy, what they care about is women's reproductive rights, they care about the future and they want to see a party who is focused on that, not on one that's trying to grind and ask. so have at it if you want to open up on... grind and ask. so have at it if you want to open up on. . ._ grind and ask. so have at it if you want to open up on... focus on the -ast? want to open up on... focus on the ast? he want to open up on... focus on the past? he just — want to open up on... focus on the past? hejust quit— want to open up on... focus on the past? he just quit two _ want to open up on... focus on the past? he just quit two hours ago. | past? he just quit two hours ago. this is— past? he just quit two hours ago. this is the — past? he just quit two hours ago. this is the present. and frankly, democrats — this is the present. and frankly, democrats ought to be happy if republicans follow in the footsteps of focusing on the past like democrats did on president trump, it made _ democrats did on president trump, it made him _ democrats did on president trump, it made him a _ democrats did on president trump, it made him a stronger candidate for president— made him a stronger candidate for president and we all witnessed that in milwaukee. this is not about focusing — in milwaukee. this is not about focusing on the past, no matter how much _ focusing on the past, no matter how much democrats want to focus on the future, _ much democrats want to focus on the future, they— much democrats want to focus on the future, they want to get away from how this _ future, they want to get away from how this decision was made. 14 million — how this decision was made. 14 million democrats shows the political _ million democrats shows the political insiders to be delegates that are — political insiders to be delegates that are going to go to chicago in a few weeks— that are going to go to chicago in a few weeks and we are going to see them _ few weeks and we are going to see them all— few weeks and we are going to see them all there, i can't wait. them all there, ican't wait. anothers— them all there, i can't wait. another's insider democrats are going _

another's insider democrats are going to — another's insider democrats are going to thwart the will of those voters _ going to thwart the will of those voters who sent them there. now, this ism _ voters who sent them there. now, this ism if— voters who sent them there. now, this is... if one wants to call what is happening _ this is... if one wants to call what is happening a conspiracy, i would say look— is happening a conspiracy, i would say look at — is happening a conspiracy, i would say look at the facts. the biden harris _ say look at the facts. the biden harris campaignjust say look at the facts. the biden harris campaign just filed an amendment with the fec to change their campaign to harris for president. this is not a conspiracy, this is— president. this is not a conspiracy, this is reality. people want to know how this _ this is reality. people want to know how this decision came forth, especially for news outlets right now are — especially for news outlets right now are reporting that senior staff didn't— now are reporting that senior staff didn't even— now are reporting that senior staff didn't even know this was taking place _ didn't even know this was taking place. senior staff need to be questioned as to how this decision was made — questioned as to how this decision was made to his president biden, cove _ was made to his president biden, cove it _ was made to his president biden, cove it or— was made to his president biden, cove it or not, even with this mild infection. — cove it or not, even with this mild infection, has not come out and explained to the american people how he made _ explained to the american people how he made the decision. i do explained to the american people how he made the decision.— he made the decision. i do it i think he's going _ he made the decision. i do it i think he's going to _ he made the decision. i do it i think he's going to do - he made the decision. i do it i think he's going to do that i he made the decision. i do it i i think he's going to do that later this week, and isn't the fact that no—one else knew this was happening underscores the fact that this was a decision that he made himself and it was a difficult decision, so let's

not make light of that. i was a difficult decision, so let's not make light of that.- was a difficult decision, so let's not make light of that. i don't, i disatree not make light of that. i don't, i disagree that — not make light of that. i don't, i disagree that the _ not make light of that. i don't, i disagree that the american i not make light of that. i don't, i i disagree that the american people don't _ disagree that the american people don't want to know. and frankly, the world _ don't want to know. and frankly, the world and _ don't want to know. and frankly, the world and america has witnessed to the cognitive decline and americans need to— the cognitive decline and americans need to understand if you made that decision— need to understand if you made that decision or— need to understand if you made that decision or if that decision was forced — decision or if that decision was forced. |t— decision or if that decision was forced. ~' ., decision or if that decision was forced. ~ ., ., , ., forced. it will know the answer to that. but rodney, _ forced. it will know the answer to that. but rodney, the... - forced. it will know the answer to that. but rodney, the... since i forced. it will know the answer to | that. but rodney, the... since the convention — that. but rodney, the... since the convention with _ that. but rodney, the... since the convention with head _ that. but rodney, the... since the convention with head democrat i that. but rodney, the... since the i convention with head democrat after democrat _ convention with head democrat after democrat putting a knife in the back ofjoe _ democrat putting a knife in the back ofjoe biden publicly and privately. rodney, _ ofjoe biden publicly and privately. rodney, you've made that point if you time, but i suppose the issue is now that he has said that he is living, he won't seek reelection, he staying on his president and intends to finish out his term that is not seeking reelection. so the the inclination is to look to the future right now as to who comes next for the democratic party, given how close it is to pulling day and the advantages suppose those that refers up advantages suppose those that refers up on your own party for the next number of weeks donald trump and jd

vance have the campaign field to themselves really don't they? the? themselves really don't they? they certainly do. _ themselves really don't they? they certainly do, and _ themselves really don't they? they certainly do, and frankly they're going _ certainly do, and frankly they're going to — certainly do, and frankly they're going to be excited to run against vice president harris because now that the _ vice president harris because now that the biden harris campaign apparatus has changed to harris for president. — apparatus has changed to harris for president. i— apparatus has changed to harris for president, i would assume the legal eagles _ president, i would assume the legal eagles in _ president, i would assume the legal eagles in the democratic party believed — eagles in the democratic party believed she now has access to those campaign _ believed she now has access to those campaign funds, it's going to be a foregone — campaign funds, it's going to be a foregone conclusion that she will be elevated _ foregone conclusion that she will be elevated at this point, let's not take _ elevated at this point, let's not take what's going to happen in chicago, — take what's going to happen in chicago, this will be a coronation of vice _ chicago, this will be a coronation of vice president harris. and republicans are excited to be looking — republicans are excited to be looking to the future in campaigning against _ looking to the future in campaigning against vice president harris. let's not forget, — against vice president harris. let's not forget, this is a sitting president who the world witnessed in cognitive _ president who the world witnessed in cognitive decline, and if he's not capable — cognitive decline, and if he's not capable for running for reelection, how do— capable for running for reelection, how do we — capable for running for reelection, how do we know he's capable to remain— how do we know he's capable to remain as — how do we know he's capable to remain as president? those are questions — remain as president? those are questions that democrats can't continue — questions that democrats can't continue tojust gloss questions that democrats can't continue to just gloss over and say let's look— continue to just gloss over and say let's look at — continue to just gloss over and say let's look at the future, let's not look at _ let's look at the future, let's not look at what the world has already

witnessed, come on. the people are sick and _ witnessed, come on. the people are sick and tired of this. this is the reason — sick and tired of this. this is the reason we — sick and tired of this. this is the reason we had donald trump when in 2016 _ reason we had donald trump when in 2016. people are tired of being lied to him _ 2016. people are tired of being lied to him and — 2016. people are tired of being lied to him and told to think a certain way _ to him and told to think a certain wa . .,, ., . ., , way. ok, he did lose of course in 2020, stephanie, _ way. ok, he did lose of course in 2020, stephanie, do _ way. ok, he did lose of course in 2020, stephanie, do you - way. ok, he did lose of course in 2020, stephanie, do you want i way. ok, he did lose of course in 2020, stephanie, do you want to respond to that, joe biden is president, in office until the end ofjanuary. president, in office until the end ofjanuary— president, in office until the end of janua . , �* �* , , , of january. president biden 's issue was always — of january. president biden 's issue was always a _ of january. president biden 's issue was always a political— of january. president biden 's issue was always a political issue, - of january. president biden 's issue was always a political issue, he i of january. president biden 's issue | was always a political issue, he was unable to carry the message because the focus was on his age. we are now in a place where we have an opportunity to nominate somebody who can push forward a democratic message that highlights the things that the democratic party has done on behalf of the american people and we can have a civil conversation about what the future of america looks like. ,, , ., ., about what the future of america looks like. ,, , . ., ., , ., looks like. stephanie and rodney, do ou sta looks like. stephanie and rodney, do you stay with — looks like. stephanie and rodney, do you stay with us. _ looks like. stephanie and rodney, do you stay with us, lots _ looks like. stephanie and rodney, do you stay with us, lots more _ looks like. stephanie and rodney, do you stay with us, lots more to - you stay with us, lots more to talk about, we thank you forjoining us and do stay with us, you're watching

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