Joe Biden is the first sitting American president in history not to run in New Hampshire's primary.

There is a rift between the Democratic party and its New Hampshire organization, which lost its first-in-the-nation status in an official primary calendar approved by Biden.

Biden quits NH ballot

Biden's campaign sent a letter to the New Hampshire Democrats expressing that Biden wants to appear on the ballot, but he is "obligated" to follow the delegate rules adopted by the Democratic National Convention (DNC).

What Biden omits in his letter is that he is the one who pushed for the changes.

Biden snubbed New Hampshire by pushing for South Carolina, a state that played a critical role in securing his nomination in 2020, to get first place.

Democrats embraced the move as a push for "equity" given South Carolina's significant black population, but it led to tensions with New Hampshire, which is tied for second with Nevada in the calendar the DNC adopted.

"Diversity" wins the day

Iowa, another mostly white state, was also demoted from its traditional spot as the first caucus. New Hampshire is holding its primary first despite the DNC's changes.

As a result, Democratic candidates who run in New Hampshire's primary won't receive valid delegates at the DNC in Chicago.

In any case, the state's Democratic party chair, Raymond Buckley, says Biden is likely to win the nomination anyway.

"The reality is that Joe Biden will win the NH FITN Primary in January, win renomination in Chicago and will be re-elected next November. NH voters know and trust Joe Biden that’s why he is leading Trump in NH by double digits," he tweeted.

Coronation

Barring any unforeseen events, Biden is heading for a coronation. Democrats have embraced him as their standard-bearer once again, despite growing concerns with his candidacy and grumbling from the party's voters.

The only significant intraparty challenge Biden has faced is from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who left the Democrats in protest to run as an independent.

Biden's campaign said he "will tirelessly campaign to earn every single vote in the Granite State next November."

"The president looks forward to having his name on New Hampshire's general election ballot as the nominee of the Democratic Party after officially securing the nomination at the 2024 Democratic National Convention."

Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips is said to be preparing to run against Biden in the primary, after ruffling feathers by questioning Biden's fitness for office. He is expected to announce his campaign in New Hampshire on Friday.