(Image source from: x.com/JoeBiden)
Joe Biden, the current president, has announced his withdrawal from the 2024 US presidential race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party's new nominee. This unexpected move has caused a significant upheaval in the already extraordinary 2024 presidential election. At 81 years old, Biden stated that he is acting in the best interests of his party and the country by stepping down, citing concerns about his age and mental fitness that were raised after a disastrous debate against Donald Trump in June. This sudden development has thrown the Democratic Party into further turmoil just months before the November 5th election. However, it could also reenergize the party, as Harris quickly confirmed her goal to become America's first female president and defeat the former president. Trump, who is 78 years old and the oldest presidential nominee in US history, reacted to the news by stating that if Biden is not fit to run for president, he is also not fit to serve. This dramatic shift in the political landscape will undoubtedly present new challenges for the Republican campaign, which had been solely focused on Biden.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
After careful consideration, President Biden has decided to forgo a run for reelection, stating it is in the best interest of his party and the country. In a letter posted on X, he expressed that it has been the "greatest honor of my life" to serve as president. Biden will now focus solely on fulfilling his duties for the remainder of his term. Shortly after, he offered his "full support and endorsement" for Vice President Kamala Harris, with his campaign officially changing its name to "Harris for President." Endorsements from Democratic leaders, including potential nomination rivals, quickly poured in for Harris. The Democratic fundraising group ActBlue reported a staggering $27.5 million in small-donor contributions for Harris within just five hours.
My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. 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… pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
The Democratic party now faces the challenge of selecting a new candidate for their convention in Chicago on August 19. Harris, the trailblazing first Black and South Asian woman to hold the vice presidency, praised Biden's selfless and patriotic choice, vowing to fight for and win the nomination. Even the influential former President Obama cautioned that uncharted territory lies ahead. Biden made this decision after a period of isolation, consulting only close family and advisors while recovering from a COVID-19 infection at his Rehoboth Beach home. Jill Biden simply reposted her husband's statement, along with two heartfelt symbols. Tellingly, Trump's running mate J.D. Vance framed Harris as being with Biden "every step of the way," calling him "the worst president" in his lifetime. Biden's exit caps a tumultuous period in US politics, including an assassination attempt on Trump and weeks of Democratic infighting over whether Biden should step down.
Biden faced a challenging race, grappling with the aftermath of the June 27 debate where he sometimes stumbled in his responses. Meanwhile, Harris worked to establish her presence in the White House, yet shone on the campaign trail, especially on issues like abortion. Amid this, the Biden team quietly assessed how the former prosecutor might fare against the convicted felon Trump. Taking office in 2021, Biden vowed to heal America's "soul" after the turbulent Trump era and the January 6th Capitol attack. Despite his history of verbal missteps, the former vice president strongly backed Ukraine against Russia's invasion, pushed through major COVID recovery efforts and green industry investments. However, he drew criticism over the Afghanistan withdrawal, high inflation, and his stance on Israel's Gaza conflict, as concerns grew over his advancing age.
