Does the D calculus change if "who can best beat tRump" is no longer an issue?

[stopbush]

Let’s say tRump quits or gets removed before the first caucus and primaries. How does that effect Biden, who has made his campaign all about beating tRump? What does that mean for the more-progressive candidates like Warren? There will be tremendous pressure to go middle-of-the-road to appeal to pissed off R voters, and nominate a candidate who can “bring the country together.”

Too early to contemplate?

[NCLefty]

1. "How does that effect Biden, who has made his campaign all about beating tRump?"

How do you get this? He's been talking about many things.

[rusty fender]

9. Biden's supporters on DU are

constantly bringing up his so-called Trumpass beatability advantage against all the Democratic candidates. If they’re spouting this talking point, you can bet that this is a major talking point of Biden’s campaign.

[PoliticAverse]

2. Then it becomes "who can best beat the Republican nominee" obviously. n/t

[DavidDvorkin]

3. Coattail length is also an issue.

[Jose Garcia]

4. It makes electability even more important

Pence will be tougher to beat than Trump, as his negatives aren't as high.

[Hoyt]

5. Think it does, but not sure to what candidate's favor. It isn't too early to think about it, even

if trump is not out right away.

Until trump is on the ballot and votes are being cast, GOPers could pressure trump to back out of the election. And I think there is a good chance that might happen if it appears he's going to lose big and cause other GOPers to go down with him.

[TwilightZone]

6. "who has made his campaign all about beating tRump"

No, he hasn't. This assertion is this year's "inevitable" and "it's her turn". For the most part, the only people who assert it are those who are supporting other candidates.

"pissed off R voters"

So far, there's little indication that they're going anywhere. Trump's approval rating among Rs is still ~85%. They'll more likely just dig in and continue to support him and believe whatever right-wing media tells them to believe. He was set up, it's the Dems' fault, blah, blah. If he gets dumped, there's little reason to believe they'll suddenly jump ship and support the Democratic nominee over his replacement.

Independents would be more likely to switch, though based on polls, a lot of movement has already happened there. Turnout among the groups who already support Democrats is going to be significantly more important than trying to appeal to Trump supporters or disillusioned Rs.

[LincolnRossiter]

7. Not much would change for me. Even if you take Trump himself out of the picture

I still want to smash Pence, the trash in the rightwing media, Trump's lapdogs in Congress, his mouth-breathing supporters, and everything related to Trumpism into the dust in 2020.

Whoever gives us the best chance of doing that has my vote in the primary. I think that's Joe Biden.

[SKKY]

8. I can't see how it wouldn't change things dramatically.

1. I think any of our candidates would beat the blocks off of Pence, if Trump gets removed from office.
2. If Pence is wrapped up in this, and is perp walked with Trump, what happens then?
3. If Trump and Pence are gone, who are the Republican candidates? We know of three, but would more crawl out of the wood work? I don't know how our candidates would fare against someone like Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney, Rand Paul, or any of the others who would likely throw their hat in the ring.
4. What if he is impeached, but not removed from office (The most likely scenario), how does he emerge from that? I think we should get ready for a lesson in how to play the victim card.

Yea, lots to consider.