Democrats see Kamala Harris as the ‘only choice’

Kamala Harris is the “only choice” to replace Joe Biden as the Democrats’ presidential nominee as there is so little time until the election, senior party figures have told The Telegraph.

The vice-president is seeing a groundswell of support among the party’s many elected officials who believe the 81-year-old president’s position is untenable.

But the question of how she would assume the position at the top of the ticket, should Mr Biden stand down, is increasingly contested.

Allies of Ms Harris are reportedly already working on a plan to secure her as the candidate-in-waiting.

But on Friday, it was reported that Nancy Pelosi, the former House speaker, favours holding an open convention, which would allow alternatives such as Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, and Gavin Newsom, governor of California, to pitch for the nomination.

She reportedly believes that a “mini-primary” of sorts would strengthen Ms Harris and avoid giving voters the impression she was handed the nomination in a stitch-up by party leaders.

Should he quit the race, Mr Biden could ask the delegates who are bound to him as the winner of the Democratic primary to switch over and endorse Ms Harris. With the backing of the party’s most influential figures, a coronation of sorts could easily follow.