Leaders | American politics

Joe Biden has given Democrats a second chance to win the White House

If they are not to squander it, they must have a proper contest

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris introduces U.S. President Joe Biden.
Photograph: Getty Images

IT WILL LATER come to be seen as inevitable, perhaps, but President Joe Biden’s decision not to stand for re-election had America and the world on the rack for three and a half agonising weeks. Now that he has given way, much rests on how his party handles the search for someone to replace him. After surviving an attempted assassination and basking in a triumphant convention, Donald Trump remains the strong favourite to become America’s 47th president. Thanks to Mr Biden’s withdrawal, he is still beatable.

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