Indian-origin Kamala Harris top choice to replace Joe Biden in Presidential race amid calls for his resignation

Vice President Kamala Harris is reportedly the top alternative to replace US President Joe Biden if he decides not to continue his reelection campaign, sources were quoted as saying by Reuters. The speculation to replace Joe Biden fueled after his first-debate with Republican rival Donald Trump set off panic among the Democrats.

Besides Indian-origin Kamala Harris, some other names being floated to replace Joe Biden include Gavin Newsom from California, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania. Sources have told the news agency that the other probable candidates may not be able to sidestep Kamala Harris as the top contender.

The latest CNN poll has also mentioned that Kamala Harris, may have a better chance at retaining the White House. Joe Biden is 81 years old and has been caught fumbling, prompting concerns over his “mental health.”

According to the CNN poll conducted by SRS, Trump, 78, is ahead of Biden by six points.

The poll found Kamala Harris, 59, within striking distance of Trump in a hypothetical matchup: 47 per cent of registered voters support Trump, 45 per cent back Harris.

The polls mentioned that “Kamala Harris’ slightly stronger showing against Trump rests at least in part on broader support from women (50% of female voters back Harris over Trump vs. 44% for Biden against Trump) and independents (43% Harris vs. 34% Biden).”

A Reuters poll also showed Kamala Harris trailing Donald Trump by one percentage point at 42% to 43%, respectively.

"It's pretty near impossible to win the nomination over the vice president," said Michael Trujillo, a Democratic strategist from California who worked for Hillary Clinton's campaign in 2008 and 2016.

Meanwhile, aides of Kamala Harris have dismissed such report, saying the vice president looks forward to serving a second term with President Joe Biden.

"People may have dreams of another superhero but there is a process and the last time I checked it's a Biden-Harris ticket, she's number two on the ticket," Donna Brazile, the former interim chair of the Democratic National Committee, said.

(With Reuters inputs)