WASHINGTON. President Joe Biden has withdrawn from the 2024 presidential race following a poorly received debate performance that intensified concerns about his age and fitness for office. This decision, made less than four months before the election, significantly shifts the dynamics of what has been deemed one of the most pivotal campaigns in recent history.
In an announcement posted on his X account, Biden expressed his belief that stepping down was in the best interest of his party and the nation. “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.
Biden quickly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor, urging the Democratic Party to unite behind her. “Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year,” Biden said in another post on X. “Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump.”
Harris, 59, responded to Biden’s endorsement with a statement praising his “selfless and patriotic act” and vowing to secure the nomination and unite the country. “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,” Harris said.
The timing of Biden’s exit is unprecedented; no major party’s presumptive nominee has ever withdrawn so close to the election. The closest parallel is President Lyndon Johnson’s decision in March 1968 not to seek another term amid the Vietnam War, though Biden’s exit comes after he won the majority of delegates in the primaries.
Harris now faces the urgent task of consolidating support from delegates, selecting a running mate, and reconfiguring the Biden campaign’s extensive political infrastructure to support her candidacy. Early indications suggest strong backing, with endorsements from the Congressional Black Caucus and prominent figures like former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Despite this support, former President Barack Obama has yet to endorse Harris, although he commended Biden’s decision to step down. “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.
Biden’s announcement follows his recent diagnosis with COVID-19, which has kept him isolated at his Delaware beach house. Biden plans to address the nation later this week to provide further details about his decision.
As the Democratic Party moves forward, it must quickly address the nomination process and rally voters behind Harris. Meanwhile, Trump, who had focused much of his campaign against Biden, will need to pivot towards his new opponent.
Biden’s departure marks the end of a significant chapter in his 52-year political career. Despite his campaign’s challenges and his personal health issues, Biden’s decision underscores the intense pressure and scrutiny facing candidates in this critical election cycle.
As Biden’s term continues, he will still host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House this week and remains focused on fulfilling his presidential duties. His decision has prompted varied reactions, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praising Biden’s patriotism and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries highlighting his accomplishments.
Trump, reacting to the news, criticized Biden’s ability to serve and expressed his readiness to address the issues he attributes to Biden’s presidency.
As the 2024 election nears, the political landscape remains in flux, with Harris now positioned as the Democratic front-runner and the party working to consolidate its efforts against a formidable Republican challenger.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
