Biden pulls out of reelection bid : In a surprising turn of events, U.S. President Joe Biden has announced that he will not seek reelection and has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him as the Democratic candidate in the upcoming presidential election. This decision comes amidst concerns about his mental acuity and ability to defeat former President Donald Trump.
Biden Pulls Out of Reelection Bid; Backs Harris for US Presidential Polls
The Announcement
Biden made the announcement on Sunday through a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating that he will continue to serve as President and Commander-in-Chief until his term ends in January 2025. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve and emphasized that his decision was made in the best interest of his party and the country.
“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,” Biden wrote.
While his initial statement did not mention an endorsement, Biden followed up a few minutes later, expressing his support for Harris.
Harris as the Nominee
Kamala Harris, 59, would become the first Black woman to run at the top of a major-party ticket in U.S. history if she secures the Democratic nomination. Former President Trump, who is the Republican candidate in the November 5 election, expressed confidence in his ability to defeat Harris, stating that she would be easier to beat.
Behind the Decision
Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race reportedly came after a change of heart. Initially, he planned to continue his campaign, but on Sunday afternoon, he informed his senior team of his decision to step down.
A source familiar with the matter told Reuters, “Last night the message was proceed with everything, full speed ahead. At around 1:45 p.m. today, the president told his senior team that he had changed his mind.”
Reaction and Implications
Biden’s announcement has left the Democratic Party in a state of flux, with questions about whether other senior Democrats will challenge Harris for the nomination or if the party will open the field for nominations. His decision follows mounting pressure from Democratic lawmakers and party officials after his poor performance in a June 27 televised debate against Trump.
Biden’s performance during the debate, where he struggled to complete clear sentences, shifted public focus away from Trump’s false statements and raised concerns about Biden’s fitness for another term. His subsequent gaffes, including confusing Russian President Vladimir Putin with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and referring to Harris as “Vice President Trump,” further fueled anxieties.
Just days before his announcement, Biden was diagnosed with COVID-19 for the third time, forcing him to cut short a campaign trip. More than one in 10 congressional Democrats had publicly called for him to quit the race.
Historical Context
Biden’s decision marks the first time a sitting president has given up his party’s nomination for reelection since President Lyndon Johnson in 1968. This move sets the stage for Harris to potentially become the Democratic nominee, representing a significant gamble by the party.
Biden, the oldest U.S. president ever elected, had previously positioned himself as a bridge to the next generation of Democratic leaders. Despite initial plans to serve a second term, concerns over his age and performance led to increasing pressure for him to step aside.
Moving Forward
Harris now faces the challenge of rallying the Democratic Party and preparing for a campaign against Trump, who is facing multiple criminal prosecutions. Biden’s decision to endorse Harris highlights the party’s commitment to diversity and representation, as she could become the first Black and Asian American woman to run for the White House.
Biden’s exit from the race leaves his delegates uncommitted, potentially leading to a contested Democratic National Convention in August. As Harris steps into the spotlight, the Democratic Party will need to navigate the complexities of this unprecedented political landscape and unite behind their new candidate.
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FAQs on Biden’s Withdrawal from Reelection Bid and Endorsement of Harris
- Why did President Biden decide to end his reelection campaign?
- President Biden decided to end his reelection campaign due to concerns about his mental acuity and ability to defeat former President Donald Trump.
- Who did Biden endorse for the Democratic nomination?
- Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him as the Democratic candidate in the upcoming presidential election.
- When did Biden announce his decision to not seek reelection?
- Biden announced his decision on Sunday through a post on X (formerly Twitter).
- What reasons did Biden give for his decision to withdraw?
- Biden stated that it was in the best interest of his party and the country for him to stand down and focus on fulfilling his duties as President for the remainder of his term.
- Will Biden continue to serve as President until the end of his term?
- Yes, Biden will continue to serve as President and Commander-in-Chief until his term ends in January 2025.
- How did former President Trump react to Biden’s announcement?
- Former President Trump stated that he believed Kamala Harris would be easier to defeat in the upcoming election.
- What historical significance does Harris’s potential nomination hold?
- If nominated, Harris would become the first Black and Asian American woman to run at the top of a major-party ticket in U.S. history.
- What concerns were raised about Biden’s performance during the June 27 debate?
- Biden’s performance raised concerns due to his struggles to complete clear sentences, shifting public focus away from Trump’s false statements and onto questions about Biden’s fitness for another term.
- What health issues did Biden face recently?
- Biden was diagnosed with COVID-19 for the third time just days before his announcement, which forced him to cut short a campaign trip.
- How did Democratic lawmakers react to Biden’s campaign before his announcement?
- More than one in ten congressional Democrats had publicly called for Biden to quit the race due to his poor performance and increasing concerns over his age and fitness.
- Has any sitting president previously given up their party’s nomination for reelection?
- Yes, the last sitting president to give up his party’s nomination for reelection was President Lyndon Johnson in 1968.
- What role did public and private pressure play in Biden’s decision?
- Significant public and private pressure from Democratic lawmakers and party officials influenced Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race.
- What impact does Biden’s withdrawal have on the Democratic Party?
- Biden’s withdrawal has left the Democratic Party in a state of flux, with questions about whether other senior Democrats will challenge Harris for the nomination or if the party will open the field for nominations.
- What are some of Biden’s recent gaffes that raised concerns?
- Recent gaffes included confusing Russian President Vladimir Putin with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and referring to Harris as “Vice President Trump.”
- What did Biden’s initial statement on social media lack?
- Biden’s initial statement did not include an endorsement of Kamala Harris, which he followed up a few minutes later.
- How did Biden’s team initially respond to concerns about his age?
- Biden’s team had hoped a strong performance in the June 27 debate would ease concerns over his age, but it did the opposite.
- How did top Democrats respond to Biden’s decision?
- Top Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, expressed that Biden could not win the election, influencing his decision to step down.
- What will happen to Biden’s delegates at the Democratic National Convention?
- Unless the Democratic Party changes the rules, delegates pledged to Biden will enter the convention “uncommitted,” leaving them to vote on his successor.
- What was Biden’s stance on running for a second term initially?
- Initially, Biden set his sights on a second term, believing he was the only Democrat who could beat Trump again amid questions about Harris’s experience and popularity.
- What was the reaction among Black voters and young Democrats to Biden’s campaign?
- Many Black voters felt Biden had not done enough for them, and enthusiasm among Democrats overall for a second Biden term was low, with Harris tasked to reach out to these voters in recent months.