According to The Hill, a public dispute erupted between Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Jaime Harrison and pollster Nate Silver over the Ohio ballot deadline for President Biden's nomination.
Harrison defended the DNC's actions to secure Biden's place on the ballot, while Silver accused them of lying about the necessity of these actions.
The clash began when Silver posted an excerpt from a New York Times article quoting Harrison. Silver accused the DNC of pushing Biden's nomination forward to avoid legal challenges from Republicans. He warned that there would be consequences if Biden's nomination was forced through and he lost.
Harrison responded to Silver's accusations on social media. He denied the claims and asserted his integrity. “Nate… you can call me a lot of things but a liar is definitely not one of them,” Harrison stated.
Silver's criticism centered on the DNC's handling of the Ohio ballot deadline. He claimed the DNC was lying about the necessity of their actions. Harrison, however, argued that the original August 7 deadline remained in place, potentially causing legal challenges from the GOP.
Harrison emphasized the importance of complying with Ohio law. He argued that ensuring Biden's place on the ballot was crucial to avoid negative impacts on voter turnout. “To not have a presidential candidate on a state ballot would have enormous consequences and impacts on turnout for all races on the ballot,” Harrison said.
In early June, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed legislation to extend the ballot deadline to August 31. However, Harrison says the new law doesn’t take effect until September 1 due to a 90-day enactment waiting period. This discrepancy has fueled the ongoing dispute.
The DNC plans to hold a virtual roll call to ensure Biden is on the ballot in all states. Quentin Fulks, Biden's principal deputy campaign manager, supported this decision. “We’re going to continue on that path, because we’re not going to leave it up to them to change the rules again,” Fulks stated.
Harrison's defense of the DNC's actions reflects broader concerns among Democrats. They worry that Biden’s declining support could affect other races, including House and Senate contests. The DNC views their actions as essential to maintaining compliance with Ohio law and securing Biden's nomination.
The dispute between Harrison and Silver highlights deeper anxieties within the Democratic Party. Democrats are concerned about Biden's ability to beat former President Trump in the upcoming election. This concern is influencing discussions about his candidacy.
Harrison's stance underscores the DNC's commitment to ensuring Biden's place on the ballot. He argued that the August 7 deadline presents significant risks. “Therefore the August 7th deadline will still be in place… giving rise to litigation and/or GOP games to create more hurdles and road blocks,” Harrison noted.
Silver's accusations have added fuel to an already contentious situation. He remains critical of the DNC's actions and their potential consequences. “There very much will be consequences if they force Biden’s nomination thru and he loses,” Silver asserted.
The public dispute between Jaime Harrison and Nate Silver over the Ohio ballot deadline underscores significant tensions within the Democratic Party. Harrison defended the DNC's actions, emphasizing the importance of complying with Ohio law to ensure Biden's place on the ballot. Silver accused the DNC of lying and warned of potential consequences if Biden's nomination was forced through. The DNC plans to hold a virtual roll call to secure Biden's nomination, reflecting broader concerns about his declining support and its impact on other races. This controversy highlights the high stakes of the upcoming election and the challenges facing the Democratic Party.
