[Mega thread] - Biden ends bid for presidency

Biden announced he's ending his bid for the presidency via X (formerly twitter).

Sources:

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/07/21/open-convention-democrats-biden-drop-out/
"How Democrats would pick a new candidate if Biden drops out, step by step"
One [possibility] is a virtual vote that would lock in a new nominee in early August, and the other is an “open” convention, a scenario the party hasn’t experienced since 1968.
A convention is open when no candidate arrives with a clear majority of delegates, so the event turns into a mini-primary in which contenders scramble to persuade delegates to vote for them...
Some states have August deadlines to get on the ballot for the general election, and early voting begins in some places in September. So party leaders probably would try to settle the nomination before the Democratic National Convention begins Aug. 19.
There are two types of Democratic delegates. Pledged delegates commit to supporting the candidate state voters chose, although a “good conscience” clause in the party’s rules gives them a bit of wiggle room.
Automatic delegates, often called superdelegates, are the party’s highest-profile leaders. They have the role because of the offices they hold (or held), and the group includes former presidents and vice presidents, Democratic governors, members of Congress and party officials. They are not pledged to any candidate and are not allowed to vote on the first ballot at the convention.
- a scenario the party hasn’t experienced since 1968
  because the 1968 Democratic Convention went swimmingly – oh, they’re also holding this year’s convention in Chicago again you say? with increased police presence as well?
  
  Well, at least there isn't anything controversial going on overseas that's got the college kids riled up this time /s
- Clusterfuck it is, then. Oh boy.
  
  Not really. It'll be Harris. Biden endorsed her and already other potential Dem front-runners are endorsing her. Within in a few days it'll be like she's the incumbent and no one will want to run against her for the same reasons they didn't run against Biden. Plus the additional reason that they don't want to screw up their chances of being her VP pick.
- Dumb question. Why didn't they just schedule the convention prior to all deadlines regardless who runs for office? Is there any benefit to meeting so late?
  
  It is before the deadlines but just barely. Typically the candidate is known before the convention, so you already have enough signatures to get on the ballot in every state
  
  It wasn't when they scheduled it. It was after Ohio's deadline. And major parties don't need signatures to put forward candidates.
  
  Not in a general, no. They do in a primary though. In this case, you're right, the candidate would get on the ballot by the delegates voting

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