Joe Biden Offers Strong Endorsement of Kamala Harris

SOURCE: BBC.

US President Joe Biden has announced his decision to withdraw from the presidential race, citing that it is “in the best interest of my party and the country.” This announcement comes just four months before the election, dramatically altering the dynamics of the race for the White House.

The decision follows mounting pressure from fellow Democrats after a lackluster debate performance against Republican Donald Trump in late June. Biden’s performance during the debate was criticized for being incoherent and weak, which, according to his party, was attributed to a cold.

In a letter shared on his social media, Biden reflected on his presidency as the greatest honor of his life. He stated, “While it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe stepping down now is the best decision for my party and the country. I will focus on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”

The call for Biden to withdraw intensified after his debate performance, with increasing concerns from congressional Democrats about the potential impact on their own re-election bids in November. A few senators also joined in the calls for his departure from the race.

In light of his withdrawal, Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his preferred successor. The Democratic National Convention, scheduled to begin on August 19 in Chicago, will be the venue where Harris’s nomination is likely to be confirmed. The party has accelerated the process to meet a candidate certification deadline in Ohio on August 7, so a new nominee should be confirmed in just over two weeks.

Biden expressed his deep appreciation for Vice President Harris, describing her as an “extraordinary partner” and thanking the American people for their support. He also stated, “There is nothing America can’t do when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America.”

He indicated he will address the nation on this matter next week. Biden had recently returned to Delaware after a Covid diagnosis, but expressed eagerness to resume campaigning soon. Although he had previously claimed only the “Lord Almighty” could make him withdraw, he acknowledged he would consider stepping down due to health concerns.

In response, Republican nominee Donald Trump criticized Biden’s fitness for the presidency on his Truth Social platform, stating that he was “not fit to run for President.”