Major Democratic Donors Ask Themselves: What to Do About Biden?
Some floated interventions and wondered about how to reach Jill Biden. Others hoped the president would bow out of the race on his own. Many came to terms with the low chances that he will do so.
![](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2024/06/29/multimedia/29pol-donors-bhjl/29pol-donors-bhjl-mobileMasterAt3x.jpg)
President Bidens campaign had a bright fund-raising spell immediately after the debate, announcing $14 million in online donations, but many big donors were alarmed by his shaky showing. Haiyun Jiang for The New York Times
By Theodore Schleifer, Kenneth P. Vogel and Shane Goldmacher
Theodore Schleifer and Kenneth P. Vogel reported from Washington, and Shane Goldmacher from Atlanta.
June 29, 2024, 5:04 a.m. ET
The Democratic Partys perennially nervous donor class descended into deep unease on Friday, as some of the wealthiest people in America commiserated over President Bidens weak debate performance and puzzled over what, if anything, they could do to change the course of the race.
There were discussions with political advisers about arcane rules under which Mr. Biden might be removed from the ticket against his will and replaced at or before the Democratic National Convention, according to a person familiar with the effort.
In Silicon Valley, a group of megadonors, including Ron Conway and Laurene Powell Jobs, were calling, texting and emailing one another about a situation they described as a possible catastrophe. The donors wondered about whom in the Biden fold they could contact to reach Jill Biden, the first lady, who in turn could persuade her husband not to run, according to a person familiar with the conversations.
A Silicon Valley donor who had planned to host an intimate fund-raiser featuring Mr. Biden this summer decided not to go through with the gathering because of the debate, according to a person told directly by the prospective host. Another major California donor left a debate watch party early and emailed a friend with the subject line: Utter disaster, according to a copy of the email.
{snip}
Lauren Hirsch, Liam Stack and Olivia Bensimon contributed reporting.
Theodore Schleifer writes about campaign finance and the influence of billionaires in American politics. More about Theodore Schleifer
Kenneth P. Vogel is based in Washington and investigates the intersection of money, politics and influence. More about Kenneth P. Vogel
Shane Goldmacher is a national political correspondent, covering the 2024 campaign and the major developments, trends and forces shaping American politics. He can be reached at shane.goldmacher@nytimes.com. More about Shane Goldmacher
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Think. Again.
(21,382 posts)Ferrets are Cool
(22,080 posts)![](/emoticons/shrug.gif)
BlueKota
(3,836 posts)Ferrets are Cool
(22,080 posts)And if you have studied the 2025 shit, you will be VERY afraid of a second tRump term.
WA-03 Democrat
(3,279 posts)Send the money now and vote in November
Or enjoy Trump forever. Not such a hard choice.
Autumn
(47,251 posts)They wanted him 4 years ago, they got him. Get the fuck over it, shut the fuck up and support Joe.
-misanthroptimist
(1,256 posts)Keep contributing and vote for Joe. There is no alternative that is consistent with continued democracy in the USA.
They don't have to like it.
Raven123
(6,347 posts)lapucelle
(19,703 posts)WA-03 Democrat
(3,279 posts)FNYT
You can guess what the F stands for
emulatorloo
(45,728 posts)FarPoint
(13,824 posts)Work, donate to Biden/Harris campaign as well as other Congressional Democrats.... and VOTE BLUE.
Progressive dog
(7,356 posts)Joe Biden or Donald Trump. No other choice exists and no number of "Democrats" complaining about an imaginary candidate riding to an imaginary rescue will make a difference.
If any "Democrat" contributes to a Trump victory by ignoring the fact that Joe Biden will retake office with the same team that has brought us back not only from an economic disaster but one caused by Joe's opponent, they will regret it. The imaginary perfect should not be the enemy of the existing good. This could be our last chance to cast a meaningful ballot.