In a surprising turn of events, President Joe Biden has announced his withdrawal from the 2024 US presidential election, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the new Democratic nominee. This unexpected move adds another twist to the already unpredictable race for the White House.
At 81 years old, Biden expressed that serving as president has been the “greatest honor” of his life. However, after a challenging debate performance against Donald Trump, concerns about his age and health intensified, leading to weeks of pressure for him to step down.
“While it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term,” Biden shared in a letter on social media platform X. He made this announcement while recovering from Covid-19 at his beach house in Delaware, promising to address the nation later in the week.
Reaction from Family and Party
First Lady Jill Biden shared his statement with two hearts, while granddaughter Naomi Biden expressed pride in her grandfather’s decision. The announcement leaves the Democratic Party in a state of flux with the election date of November 5 approaching rapidly.
Kamala Harris as the New Nominee
Biden’s endorsement of Harris marks a historic moment. Harris, 59, is the first Black and South Asian woman to serve as vice president and is now aiming to become the first female president of the United States.
“Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year,” Biden stated on X. “Democrats – it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.”
Former President Barack Obama acknowledged the challenges ahead but expressed confidence that an outstanding nominee would emerge.
Republican Response
Former President Donald Trump and other Republicans seized on Biden’s announcement, arguing that if Biden was not fit to run, he was not fit to serve either. This development forces Trump to recalibrate his campaign strategy, which had been focused on opposing Biden.
Tributes and Challenges
Democrats, including former President Bill Clinton and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, paid tribute to Biden’s accomplishments and endorsed Harris. Pelosi described Biden’s decision as a blessing for America.
The Democratic Party now faces the challenge of unifying behind Harris as the clear frontrunner for the nomination, with hopes of avoiding a chaotic open contest at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 19.
Harris has gained momentum in the past year, becoming a strong advocate on key issues like abortion rights. Reports suggest the Biden campaign had been assessing her potential against Trump in head-to-head surveys.
Biden’s Legacy
Biden’s decision to withdraw marks the end of a tense period in US politics. He joins a select group of presidents who have opted out after one term, the last being Lyndon Johnson in 1968. Biden took office in January 2021, promising to heal the “soul of America” after Trump’s turbulent presidency and the January 6 Capitol assault.
Despite his achievements, including support for Ukraine, a Covid recovery plan, and a green industry initiative, Biden faced criticism over the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and inflation concerns. His age and occasional public stumbles remained a persistent issue.
As Democrats regroup, Biden’s endorsement of Harris provides a clear path forward, with the party now focused on rallying behind her to take on Trump in the upcoming election.
