On Sunday, President Joe Biden announced the end of his re-election campaign, marking a sudden and humbling close to his five-decade-long political career. This unexpected development has reshuffled the race for the White House just four months before Election Day.
Biden, 81, faced increasing doubts within his party about his ability to serve another term, particularly concerns about his health and age. Many Democrats believed he would likely lose to Donald Trump in the upcoming election. In light of this, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his preferred replacement for the Democratic nomination.
In a letter posted on X (formerly Twitter), Biden expressed his intention to focus on fulfilling his duties as President for the remainder of his term rather than pursuing re-election. He wrote, "While it has been my intention to seek re-election, 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.” Biden also announced that he would address the nation later in the week to provide more details about his decision.
Biden praised Harris in his letter, calling her an “extraordinary partner,” and in a subsequent post, he officially endorsed her candidacy. "My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President," Biden wrote. "And it’s been the best decision I’ve made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year." According to a source familiar with the campaign, Biden and Harris spoke before the president's announcement.
Biden’s withdrawal concludes a unique national political career that began during the era of Richard Nixon and ends during the tenure of Donald Trump. Over his extensive career, Biden launched four presidential campaigns, served 36 years in the U.S. Senate representing Delaware, chaired the powerful Judiciary and Foreign Relations committees, and spent eight years as Vice President under Barack Obama.
Reactions from politicians swiftly followed Biden's announcement. California Governor Gavin Newsom commended Biden in a post on X, calling him “an extraordinary, history-making president” and “a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans.” Newsom, a prominent supporter of Biden and a potential future presidential candidate, added, “He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents.”
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, another Democrat considered a potential national candidate, also praised Biden. In her post, Whitmer called Biden a “great public servant” and emphasized her continued commitment to electing Democrats and opposing Donald Trump. She wrote, “My job in this election will remain the same: doing everything I can to elect Democrats and stop Donald Trump, a convicted felon whose agenda of raising families’ costs, banning abortion nationwide, and abusing the power of the White House to settle his own scores is completely wrong for Michigan.”
Biden’s family also expressed their pride and support. His granddaughter Naomi Biden posted, “nothing but proud today of my Pop,” noting his unmatched dedication and distinction in serving the country. First Lady Jill Biden shared her husband's statement on X with a heart emoji.
Republicans reacted sharply, with many calling for Biden to resign immediately. House Speaker Mike Johnson stated, "If Joe Biden is not fit to run for president, he is not fit to serve as President. He must resign the office immediately.”
In a brief phone interview with NBC News, Trump labeled Biden "the worst president in the history of the United States by far," and said Biden "should never have been there in the first place," adding, “He should have stayed in his basement." Trump’s campaign sent a fundraising email declaring that Biden “quit the race in complete disgrace.”
Biden’s decision to withdraw so close to the election is unprecedented in modern political history. The last sitting president to abandon a re-election bid was Lyndon Johnson in 1968, but his announcement came eight months before the election, unlike Biden’s decision, which arrives just a few months before voters head to the polls.
Barbara Perry, a presidential studies professor at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center, commented on the unprecedented nature of Biden’s move, saying, “We’re in uncharted waters. No president has dropped out or died this close to the convention.”
Biden’s withdrawal is expected to create significant internal dynamics within the Democratic Party as ambitious officials maneuver to position themselves as his successor. Vice President Harris appears to be the heir apparent, given her historic role as the first female vice president and her strong support among African Americans, a crucial demographic for the Democratic coalition. However, her overall approval rating stood at only 32% in a recent NBC News poll, indicating potential challenges ahead.
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