WASHINGTON/United States of America: President Joe Biden announced on Sunday his decision to withdraw from the 2024 race for the White House, ending his bid for reelection. This move follows a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised serious doubts about his fitness for office just four months before the election.
Biden’s withdrawal comes after mounting pressure from his Democratic allies to step aside following the June 27 debate. During the debate, the 81-year-old president often trailed off, gave nonsensical answers, and failed to counter Trump’s numerous falsehoods.
Biden plans to serve out the remainder of his term, which ends at noon ET on January 20, 2025. In a letter posted on his X account, Biden stated, “It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And 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 to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”
Shortly after, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s nominee for the upcoming election. “Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year,” he said in another post on X. “Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump.”
Biden’s decision comes as he isolates at his Delaware beach house after being diagnosed with COVID-19 last week, consulting with a shrinking circle of close confidants and family members about his political future. The White House confirmed the authenticity of his letter and stated that Biden would address the nation later this week to provide more details about his decision.
This announcement marks a significant shake-up in what both political parties consider the most consequential election in generations. It comes just days after the attempted assassination of Trump at a Pennsylvania rally. No presidential nominee has ever stepped out of the race so close to an election, the closest parallel being President Lyndon Johnson’s announcement in March 1968, amidst the Vietnam War, that he would not seek another term.
Now, Democrats face the urgent task of bringing coherence to the nominating process in a matter of weeks and persuading voters that their nominee can handle the job and defeat Trump. For his part, Trump must shift his focus to a new opponent after years of targeting Biden.
Biden’s exit marks a swift and stunning end to his 52-year political career. Donors, lawmakers, and even aides had expressed doubts about his ability to convince voters that he could handle the job for another four years. Biden won the vast majority of delegates and every nominating contest but one, which would have made his nomination a formality. Now, those delegates are free to support another candidate.
Harris, 59, appears to be the natural successor, largely because she can directly tap into the Biden campaign’s war chest according to federal campaign finance rules. Biden’s endorsement helps clear the way for Harris, but a smooth transition is not guaranteed.
The Democratic National Convention is scheduled for August 19-22 in Chicago, with plans for a virtual roll call to formally nominate Biden before in-person proceedings begin. It remains to be seen whether other candidates will challenge Harris for the nomination or how the party may need to adjust its rules to facilitate Harris’ nomination.
In 2020, Biden presented himself as a transitional figure aiming to bridge to a new generation of leaders. However, once he secured the presidency, he was reluctant to part with it. When asked whether other Democrats could defeat Trump, Biden once replied, “Probably 50 of them. No, I’m not the only one who can defeat him, but I will defeat him.”
Despite being the country’s oldest president, Biden insisted he was up for the challenge of another campaign and term, telling voters to “watch me.” However, his poor debate performance heightened concerns among Democrats and donors about his capability for four more years. Concerns over Biden’s age have persisted since he announced his reelection bid, though Trump is only three years younger at 78. Most Americans view Biden as too old for a second term, according to an August 2023 poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. A majority also doubt his mental capability to be president, a sentiment that also affects Trump.
Biden acknowledged his age’s impact but emphasized his wisdom and decades of experience. “I give you my word as a Biden. I would not be running again if I didn’t believe with all my heart and soul I can do this job,” he told supporters at a rally in North Carolina a day after the debate. “Because, quite frankly, the stakes are too high.”
Voters, however, had other issues with Biden. Despite steering the nation through a global pandemic recovery, presiding over a booming economy, and passing major bipartisan legislation, he remains deeply unpopular. A majority of Americans disapprove of his job performance, particularly on key issues like the economy and immigration.
Biden’s age became a significant factor during an investigation into his handling of classified documents. Special counsel Robert Hur described Biden in February as “a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory,” a statement that Biden’s allies criticized as gratuitous. Biden himself angrily refuted descriptions of his speech about his late son.
Biden’s motivation for running was deeply tied to Trump. After retiring from public service following his vice presidency under Barack Obama and the death of his son Beau, Biden decided to run again after Trump’s comments following the 2017 “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. Trump’s failure to unequivocally condemn racism and white supremacy deeply offended Biden. He won the 2020 election, and Trump’s refusal to concede and the subsequent Capitol insurrection on January 6, 2021, further solidified Biden’s resolve. “If Trump wasn’t running, I’m not sure I’d be running,” Biden once said during a campaign event.
Trump’s campaign has not yet responded to Biden’s decision to leave the race, but Trump and his team had made clear their preference for facing Biden.
Source: News Express, AP
