The head of McLean County Democrats says President Joe Biden's decision to drop out of the presidential race will unite the party, just a few months before the election.
Party chair Patrick Cortesi said he’s saddened by Biden’s decision, but added it’s also the right move to give Democrats the best chance to win in November.
“I will admit the last few weeks I’ve been a little anxious, it seemed like it was an inevitable conclusion. I thought for the good of the party and the good of the country that needed to happen sooner rather than later,” Cortesi said in an interview on WGLT’s Sound Ideas.
Cortesi commended Biden for his four years in office, citing the administration’s work responding to the COVID pandemic, its efforts leading an economic recovery and major infrastructure investments.
“I think history will look back at a Joe Biden presidency and all the amazing things he has been able to do, especially given the hand he was dealt,” Cortesi said.
Republicans have pushed back against claims of a full economic recovery and blame Biden for rising inflation, which has stabilized after significant price increases in the aftermath of the pandemic.
Biden's successor
Cortesi said Vice President Kamala Harris should step in as the party's standard bearer now that Biden has withdrawn from the race.
Cortesi said he believes Harris is not only the best candidate, but he also doesn't think there's enough time for the Democratic Party to have an open race for a presidential nominee with just over 100 days from the election.
Harris’ approval ratings have been only moderately better than Biden’s. Cortesi said if the Democratic Party focuses on issues, any candidate would have a good chance to defeat Republican Donald Trump.
“I think a strong message will overcome that,” Cortesi said.
Two polls conducted by the election website FiveThirtyEight showed Harris with a negative approval rating of 11.8% [approval minus disapproval], while Trump has a negative approval rating of 12%.
Cortesi said he'd like to see Gov. JB Pritzker get some consideration to serve on the party's ticket in November, adding he'd also like to see Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on the VP shortlist.
“I think it needs to be somebody from the Midwest. It needs to be somebody who has a proven record of fighting for women’s issues, fighting for labor issues, fighting for things that are important to Democrats,” he said.
The swing states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania figure to be crucial for both parties to win the presidential election.
Cortesi said Biden's exit from the race will help the party focus its attention on defeating Trump and on down ballot races, though he suspects the impact on local races will be minimal.
"I may feel a little better about it today. I don't know I was ever that worried about the presidential race was going to affect that," Cortesi said.
McLean County Republican Party chair Dennis Grundler did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The party’s Facebook page shared a news story of Biden’s withdrawal from the race with an added comment, “If he is not fit to run is he really fit to continue serving? Bigger question who has been and who will be really running the country.”
