President Joe Biden Exits 2024 Presidential Race, Endorses Kamala Harris
July 21, 2024 — In a stunning turn of events, President Joe Biden announced today that he is withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor. This unexpected decision comes after mounting pressure on the 81-year-old incumbent to step aside in favor of a more vigorous candidate to face former President Donald Trump.
“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President,” Biden shared in a post on the social media platform X. “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 step down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”
Biden’s withdrawal significantly alters the landscape of the upcoming election, leaving the Democratic Party to swiftly organize and nominate a new candidate. The Democratic National Convention, still weeks away, now presents an open field where any qualified candidate could emerge as the party’s nominee.
Biden highlighted his support for Vice President Kamala Harris in a follow-up post, stating, “My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. It’s been the best decision I’ve made. Today, I 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’s endorsement of Harris sets a clear direction for the Democratic Party, though the path to the nomination remains competitive. As the party mobilizes to select its candidate, Harris will need to secure backing from key donors, delegates, and party leaders, all while proving her capability to lead the nation.
The president’s decision comes on the heels of a contentious debate performance in late June, where Biden’s age and stamina became focal points of criticism. Despite his campaign’s assurances of his fitness for office, Biden’s performance raised doubts about his ability to compete against Trump and fulfill a potential second term. High-profile Democratic donors and party operatives began voicing their concerns, some even threatening to withhold support unless Biden withdrew.
Biden’s move echoes the historical decision of President Lyndon Johnson in 1968, who also chose not to seek re-election amid political turbulence and waning support. This parallel underscores the gravity of Biden’s choice and its potential ramifications for the Democratic Party.
As the Democratic Convention approaches, the party faces the challenge of unifying behind a new candidate capable of defeating the Trump-Vance ticket. The political landscape is now more unpredictable than ever, with both parties gearing up for a fierce battle in the months leading to Election Day.
For now, President Biden will continue to serve out his term, focusing on his presidential duties while preparing to address the nation in more detail about his decision. The Democratic Party, meanwhile, must quickly rally and present a united front to ensure a strong challenge in the upcoming election.
