President Biden stated that he decided to end his reelection campaign because the future of the United States was at stake.
The November election will be “an inflection point” for the nation, President Joe Biden said in his first public address following his decision to forgo a second term and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as his potential successor.
Speaking from the Oval Office on Wednesday evening, Biden expressed his commitment to uniting the Democratic Party and “passing the torch to a new generation.”
“I revere this office, but I love my country more,” Biden asserted. “I believe my record as president, my leadership in the world, my vision for America’s future, all merit a second term. But nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy. That includes personal ambition.”
Biden emphasized the significance of the election, where Harris is poised to face off against the Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump. “I ran for president four years ago because I believed and still do that the soul of America was at stake, the very nature of who we are was at stake. And that is still the case,” Biden stated.
Initially resistant, Biden ultimately yielded to pressure from prominent Democrats and major party donors who argued that he was no longer capable of defeating Trump. Concerns about the incumbent president’s age and declining health escalated rapidly following his underwhelming performance during a televised debate with Trump last month, during which Biden appeared disoriented and struggled to complete his sentences.
Biden announced his decision to withdraw his candidacy on Sunday, designating Harris as his successor. Harris is anticipated to formally become the nominee at the Democratic National Convention next month.
Meanwhile, Republicans have called for Biden’s resignation from the presidency. “If everyone acknowledges that he’s incapable of running a campaign, he’s clearly not capable of running the country,” House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters over the weekend.