Joe Biden’s decision not to stand for re-election is unlikely to cause major political turmoil within the Democratic Party.
While arguably abandoning the principle within the name of the party, the DNC is likely to name Vice President Kamala Harris as the challenger to Republican nominee Donald Trump.
From a position of political strategy, Harris’ appointment makes the most sense. She is, after all, the next in line should Biden be unable to fulfil his presidential duties until January 20, 2025. Biden-Harris, as the campaign ticket suggested, is also a close-knit operation. As a result, staffers for Biden-Harris are likely to remain in post for Harris-Whomever, particularly those with experience in the swing states.
Such officials include Eric Lipka, who has been unmasked as “Erotica the Drag Queen” – who was appointed deputy press secretary for Biden-Harris in Pennsylvania.
Lipka’s accounts were quickly locked down when conservative media approached him for comment. Nevertheless, a snippet of Lipka/Erotica’s posts were revealed on the popular @LibsOfTikTok account on X.
In one Facebook post from January 2023, Lipka encouraged Facebook followers to “come get drunk and watch me slam my vagina into the floor”, while also describing a “pussy-power fantasy” in another.
The Democrats have defended Lipka’s appointment with Pennsylvania communications director Jack Doyle telling Fox News that they were “proud” to have the drag queen onboard. “We’re proud to have a team of 200 talented Pennsylvania staffers, including Eric, highlighting Trump’s record killing 275,000 jobs across the commonwealth and his discriminatory and extreme Project 2025 agenda to make life worse for our families,” Doyle said.
Surprise was hardly rife on social media.
Others questioned the decision making within a Democratic Party which is no stranger to being forced to defend the controversial appointment of a communications staffer.
