President Joe Biden Drops Out of 2024 Race for President
46th President Announces Decision in One-Page Statement
Joe Biden will not seek re-election. After a turbulent period following his disastrous performance in a debate with Donald Trump, the 46th President announced on Sunday he would not seek the Democratic nomination in the race for president later this year. Joe Biden drops out of the race, marking a significant shift in the political landscape.
“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 focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term” Biden wrote in a letter posted to his X account. Joe Biden drops out, emphasizing his commitment to serving the country during the remainder of his term.
He will continue his run as President until next January when the president-elect takes office.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
The decision comes four weeks before the Democratic National Convention. The question is whether the party should turn to Vice President Kamala Harris as its nominee or go in a different direction. Joe Biden drops out, leaving the party to consider its next steps.
Biden Supports Harris for Nomination
Joe Biden endorsed Harris to be the party’s nominee in a post on Twitter.
My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best… pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
“Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this,” Biden said in a post on X. Joe Biden drops out, expressing his confidence in Harris as the best choice for the party. He said picking Harris as his running mate in 2020 has “been the best decision I’ve made.”
Reports indicate Biden spoke with Harris before making his announcement. Harris found herself in a difficult position, trying to support President Biden while also preparing for a presidential run in case Biden decided to withdraw. Now, it is full-speed ahead for Harris to seek the nomination. It will be interesting to see if she receives total support from the party.
No matter what happens, it is stunning United States national news.
Democratic National Chair Jaime Harrison issued a statement:
“I just want to say this on a personal level” Harrison said. “I am emotional about the president’s decision. Because this president, Joe Biden, has been a transformational president, he’s been a great leader, he’s a good man, a decent man, who has done so much for this nation, done so much to see us as people, to value us, to fight for us” Harrison said.
“I’m emotional, because I’m still, still, riding with Biden. I still support my president. And we will get through this my friends, as we always do.”
Dr. Jill Biden posted a pair of hearts on Twitter in support and love of her husband’s decision.
— Dr. Jill Biden (@DrBiden) July 21, 2024
Biden has struggled as the face of the Democratic party since the debate against Trump. In it, he came off as confused and at times unprepared. The debate led to major issues where Biden dug in and wanted to continue running for re-election while other powerful Democrats one by one called for him to remove himself from the process. Joe Biden drops out amid growing pressure and health concerns.
Biden is 81 years old and seemed to have lost his sharp edge. Recently, he suffered from COVID, again. No matter how anyone looks at it, this is a gigantic moment in United States political history.
Discussions about whether Biden would continue to run, who would replace him, and whether the Democratic nominee would win have fluctuated greatly. It is an example of how the election process has become as much a part of pop culture in 2024 as it is a national issue. Everyone and anyone seems to have a thought on how this plays out and how it will continue.
Other Democrats supported the difficult decision:
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer: “President Biden is a great public servant who knows better than anyone what it takes to defeat Donald Trump. His remarkable work to lower prescription drug costs, fix the damn roads, bring supply chains home, address climate change, and ensure America’s global leadership over decades will go down in history.”
Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin: “It has been an honor to work with Joe Biden to deliver real, meaningful change for working Wisconsinites across our state. Today, seniors are paying less for their prescription drugs, our state has been put to work rebuilding our infrastructure, and millions of Wisconsinites with preexisting conditions have health care coverage because of the work we’ve done together” she said in a statement.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer: “Joe Biden has not only been a great president and a great legislative leader but he is a truly amazing human being. His decision of course was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first” Schumer said. “Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and great American.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom: “President Biden has been an extraordinary, history-making president — a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans” the post on X from Newsom read. “He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents.”
A family member, granddaughter Naomi Biden praised the president:
“I’m nothing but proud today of my Pop, our President, Joe Biden, who has served our country with every bit of his soul and with unmatched distinction. Not only has he been—and will continue to be—the most effective president of our lifetime, but he has likely already cemented himself as the most effective and impactful public servant in our nation’s history. Our world is better today in so many ways thanks to him. To the Americans who have always had his back, keep the faith. He will always have ours.”
Joe Biden drops out of the presidential race, creating a significant turning point in U.S. politics.
