For weeks now, the world has speculated whether US President Joe Biden would stay or go. At 81 years old, Biden’s cognitive decline has been apparent, with a disastrous debate performance on June 27 against Republican opponent and former President Donald Trump, sounding the first reverberating death knell.
While Biden has steadfastly maintained his intention to run despite many senior Democrats calling for him to step aside, the pressure mounting grew to be too much on Sunday, with the President finally conceding that he would be ending his re-election bid and pulling out of this year’s presidential race. In a statement posted to X, Biden said that it had been his life’s “greatest honour” to serve as President.
“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.
“I will speak to the nation later this week in more detail about my decision.
“For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me re-elected” he wrote, before noting some of his most significant achievements including overcoming the pandemic and the “worst economic crisis since the Great Depression”.
He also endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him as the Democratic nominee, exponentially boosting her chances of being selected.
“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,” Biden wrote on X. “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.”
Harris accepted the endorsement and paid tribute to Biden in a statement soon after, saying she was “honoured” to have served with him.
“With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else.
“I am honored to have the President’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party—and unite our nation—to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda.
“We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win.”
She’s also received the backing of a former president and presidential candidate, Bill and Hillary Clinton.
Former President, Barack Obama however, has refrained from doing the same. In a post paying tribute to his long-time friend and former VP Joe Biden, Obama signalled he wants to see an open contest.
“I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges,” Obama said.
“I believe that Joe Biden’s vision of a generous, prosperous, and united America that provides opportunity for everyone will be on full display at the Democratic Convention in August.”
He honoured Biden’s leadership, suggesting “Joe Biden has been one of America’s most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me. Today, we’ve also been reminded – again – that he’s a patriot of the highest order.”
Unsurprisingly, Donald Trump’s camp was also quick to issue a statement discrediting Biden and criticising Harris for keeping the American people in danger with an insecure White House.
“Joe Biden cannot take himself out of a campaign for president because he is too mentally incompetent and still remain in the White House. Biden is a national security threat in great cognitive decline and a clear and present danger to every man, woman, and child in our country.
“The question then to Kamala Harris is simple: knowing that Joe Biden withdrew from the campaign because of his rapidly deteriorating condition, does Harris believe the people of America are safe and secure with Joe Biden in the White House for six more months?”