From the arena floor to the lobbyist-funded open bars, Republicans in Milwaukee for their convention this week have been talking mostly about one thing. It’s not Donald Trump, even after the assassination attempt on the eve of the event. Instead, they are asking what’s happening with his opponent.

The speculation about whether President Joe Biden will stay in the race has accelerated as the Democratic effort to push him out has too. After the announcement of J.D. Vance as Trump’s running mate eradicated the last bit of drama in what has been a smoothly run and elaborately choreographed convention, the greatest political suspense is a thousand miles away in a Delaware beach house where Biden has isolated after testing positive for COVID. “The gossip is who is going to replace him,” said Travis Korson, a longtime Republican consultant.

Representative Keith Self of Texas said the Democrats reminded him of Joe Btfsplk, a cartoon character from “Li’l Abner” who........

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