As President Joe Biden’s approval ratings waver and discussions about potential replacements for the 2024 Democratic ticket intensify, many names are being suggested. Among these, California Governor Gavin Newsom has received considerable attention. However, Bill Burton’s recent opinion piece on CNN presents compelling arguments that unequivocally establish Vice President Kamala Harris as the only feasible alternative, overshadowing other contenders.

Burton, a seasoned political strategist and former deputy press secretary in the Obama White House, highlights Harris’s substantial contributions to the administration’s economic and national security agenda. She has made significant strides in areas such as support for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), maternal health, and addressing health disparities. Harris’s effectiveness in articulating the administration’s positions and countering the threat of a second Trump presidency further underscores her qualifications.

A critical point in Burton’s argument is the potential electoral impact of bypassing Harris. African Americans make up about 14% of the American population but represented nearly 20% of Biden voters in 2020. In what is expected to be a close election, alienating this crucial demographic by sidelining Harris could be disastrous. For example, Biden’s narrow victory in Pennsylvania in 2020, driven by high Black voter turnout, underscores the importance of maintaining this coalition. Burton contends that nominating Harris is essential to securing this support.

The logistical and symbolic challenges of nominating another candidate are significant. If Governor Newsom were to be nominated, Harris would need to change her voter registration from California to Washington, D.C., to comply with constitutional requirements. Burton poignantly notes, “Imagine for a moment that in some bruising nomination fight, California Gov. Gavin Newsom wins a convention selection process and becomes the Democratic presidential nominee. The next step would require that the sitting vice president change her voter registration from California to Washington, DC, as the 12th Amendment to the Constitution requires, so that another Californian could be on the ticket. The sheer indignity of the symbolism of changing her state registration for Newsom combined with the vice president serving on another nominee’s ticket, advocating for someone else’s candidacy after being passed over, is insulting and unlikely.”

Burton also addresses the issue of vetting. None of the other potential contenders, such as Senators Cory Booker, Raphael Warnock, or Governor Wes Moore, have undergone the rigorous national scrutiny that Harris has endured. The risk of an untested candidate faltering under the intense pressure of a national campaign is too great to ignore.

In conclusion, while various names have been proposed to replace Biden, Bill Burton’s arguments convincingly demonstrate that Kamala Harris is the only candidate capable of maintaining the Democratic coalition and ensuring a viable path to victory in 2024. Any attempt to nominate another candidate would not only be politically unwise but could also jeopardize the party’s chances of defeating Trump in what is poised to be the most critical election of our lifetime.