Progressive Voters Express Disappointment with Biden's Late Withdrawal, Call for Open Democratic Primary

Five Democratic voters interviewed by MSNBC lament that President Biden's decision to drop out of the presidential race should have come sooner, allowing for a more competitive primary process to select a nominee.

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Five progressive Democratic voters who spoke on MSNBC expressed disappointment that President Biden waited until so late in the electoral cycle to announce his decision not to seek re-election. They argued that his withdrawal should have been made earlier, giving the party ample time to hold a comprehensive primary that would have allowed voters to participate in the selection of a replacement candidate.

Progressive Voters Express Disappointment with Biden's Late Withdrawal, Call for Open Democratic Primary

While the voters expressed their support for Vice President Kamala Harris as a potential nominee, they emphasized their concern that the process leading to her candidacy lacked transparency and inclusivity. They argued that a primary would have provided an opportunity for other qualified candidates to emerge and compete for the nomination.

"It would have been nice if he made this decision a year ago so we could have had a primary and maybe decided who we want to replace him rather than just all flocking to Kamala Harris," one voter commented.

Progressive Voters Express Disappointment with Biden's Late Withdrawal, Call for Open Democratic Primary

Another voter remarked, "I think by trying to clear the field and ensure it was going to be Biden and…not allowing us to have an actual Democratic primary process — not saying I think Kamala Harris is going to lose, but I do think we would have benefited significantly if he figured this out far sooner, so there actually could have been more time to have internal debate, have internal democracy within the party."

The voters also expressed frustration with the lack of transparency in the decision-making process. They stated that they felt excluded from the process and would have preferred an open primary that allowed them to participate in the selection of their party's nominee.

Progressive Voters Express Disappointment with Biden's Late Withdrawal, Call for Open Democratic Primary

"I don’t like the process either," a female voter said. "This whole, we started the conversation with, there are people behind closed doors and curtains making the decisions for us, and it’s supposed to be a process. We’re supposed to be part of it. That part I don’t like on principle."

The voters' comments reflect a growing sentiment among some progressive Democrats that the party has become too reliant on establishment candidates and that there is a need for greater grassroots involvement in selecting nominees. They argue that a more inclusive and competitive primary process would produce stronger and more representative candidates capable of winning elections and representing the values of the party's base.

Biden's decision to endorse Harris has been met with mixed reactions within the Democratic Party. Some have welcomed her as a solid choice who can unite the party, while others have expressed concerns about her ability to galvanize the progressive base. The upcoming Democratic National Convention is expected to be a crucial moment for Harris as she seeks to solidify her position as the party's nominee and address the concerns of those who are still hesitant about her candidacy.