Biden Drops Out of 2024 Presidential Race, Endorses Harris
Biden praised Harris, calling her an “extraordinary partner,” and endorsed her in a subsequent post: "My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President.
WASHINGTON — On Sunday, President Joe Biden announced the end of his re-election campaign, concluding a political career spanning five decades. His withdrawal comes amid growing concerns about his age and ability to defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming election. Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him as the Democratic nominee.
In a letter posted on X, Biden, 81, stated, "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. I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision."
Biden praised Harris, calling her an “extraordinary partner,” and endorsed her in a subsequent post: "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 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."
Harris and Biden spoke ahead of the announcement, according to a campaign source. Harris has yet to comment publicly.
The decision ends Biden’s singular political career, which began with his election to the U.S. Senate in 1972 and includes chairmanships of the Judiciary and Foreign Relations committees and eight years as Vice President under Barack Obama.
Reactions Pour In
Politicians responded quickly to Biden's announcement. California Governor Gavin Newsom lauded Biden as "an extraordinary, history-making president," and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer called him a "great public servant." Biden's granddaughter, Naomi, expressed pride, while First Lady Jill Biden shared her husband's statement with a heart emoji.
Republican leaders, however, criticized Biden's move. House Speaker Mike Johnson called for Biden’s immediate resignation, stating, "If Joe Biden is not fit to run for president, he is not fit to serve as President." Donald Trump labeled Biden "the worst president in the history of the United States by far."
An Unprecedented Decision
Biden's decision, less than a month before the Democratic National Convention and just months before Election Day, is unprecedented in modern politics. The last sitting president to forgo re-election was Lyndon Johnson in 1968, but his announcement came eight months before the election.
"This is uncharted territory," said Barbara Perry, a presidential studies professor at the University of Virginia. "No president has dropped out or died this close to the convention."
Replacing Biden on the Democratic ticket will likely spur internal competition, with factions forming around Harris, Whitmer, and Newsom. Harris, the first female Vice President and a woman of color, has strong support among African Americans but faces a 32% approval rating according to a recent NBC News poll.
Democratic delegates, unlike their Republican counterparts, are not bound to their candidate and may vote for someone other than Harris at the convention. Democratic National Committee chair Jaime Harrison assured that the party would undertake a transparent and orderly process to select a new candidate.
Calls for Resignation
Biden's capacity to serve has been questioned throughout his presidency, peaking after a lackluster debate performance against Trump on June 27. Democratic lawmakers, including independent Sen. Joe Manchin, urged Biden to step aside, emphasizing the need to prioritize the country over his re-election bid.
Despite efforts to prove his capability through interviews and press conferences, Biden's poll numbers stagnated. His withdrawal follows a series of political and health challenges, including testing positive for COVID-19 on July 17.
Trump's Momentum
Biden's departure adds to an already chaotic 2024 presidential race. Trump, despite legal battles, easily secured the Republican nomination. Recent favorable developments for Trump, including a Supreme Court ruling and surviving an assassination attempt, have energized his campaign.
Biden's primary campaign, initially a coronation, struggled to maintain enthusiasm. An AP-NORC survey revealed that 65% of Democrats believed Biden should exit the race. Pressured by voters and party leaders, Biden ultimately decided to step down.
