Former White House senior advisor David Axelrod expressed concern on Friday that academic Cornel West’s presidential campaign in 2024 could potentially draw votes away from President Joe Biden and ultimately hand the election to former President Donald Trump. While neither Biden nor Trump have secured their party’s nominations yet, Axelrod, who served under former President Barack Obama, worried that West’s candidacy could effectively undermine Biden’s crucial support in what may be another closely contested race.
Axelrod cited the 2016 election, during which the Green Party’s candidate Jill Stein played a significant role in tipping the scales in favor of Trump. He referred to Stein’s candidacy in the contest between Trump and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as an example of how third-party candidates can impact the outcome of an election. Axelrod highlighted the potential risk of history repeating itself, pointing to West as the likely nominee for the Green Party in 2024, stating, “Now, with Cornel West as their likely nominee, they could easily do it again. Risky business.”
The impact of Stein’s candidacy in 2016 was particularly contentious among Democrats, who accused her of diverting critical support from Clinton in key swing states like Wisconsin and Michigan. Trump narrowly won both states, breaking the Democratic stronghold that had persisted for decades in presidential elections.
The significance of these states has not diminished since then. Biden managed to flip both Wisconsin and Michigan back to the Democratic column in the 2020 election, and retaining their support will be crucial for the Democratic Party’s chances of reclaiming the White House in 2024.
Cornel West is running a progressive campaign with the aim of securing the Green Party nomination. His platform predominantly focuses on economic justice, which could potentially resonate with younger voters and Black voters. This poses a challenge for Biden, as he heavily relies on these demographics for support.
Axelrod’s concern stems from the potential for history to repeat itself. The presence of a third-party candidate, particularly one with a progressive agenda, could influence the outcome of the 2024 election. West’s campaign may not only siphon votes away from Biden but also undermine the Democratic Party’s ability to reclaim crucial swing states. This perceived risk underscores the importance of Biden’s ability to maintain support among key constituencies in the face of potential challenges from third-party candidates.
As the 2024 election approaches, the impact of third-party candidates like Cornel West continues to be a subject of concern and speculation. The potential for these candidates to disrupt the traditional two-party system and shape the outcome of the election remains an ongoing concern for both political strategists and voters alike.
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