By Joke Kujenya
UNITED STATES President Joe Biden announced he will not seek re-election, stating it is in the best interest of his party and the country.
This decision, made just four months before Americans go to the polls, has reshaped the race for the White House and opened the Democratic nomination.
Biden faced mounting pressure from fellow Democrats after a faltering debate performance against Republican Donald Trump in June.
The president, 81, received widespread criticism for his incoherent responses and weak voice during the debate, which his party attributed to a cold.
These concerns, combined with his age, fueled doubts about his ability to serve another term.
Kamala Harris Endorsement
In a Sunday evening announcement, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination.
“My fellow Americans, it has been the greatest honour of my life to serve as your president,” Biden wrote in a letter posted on social media.
“While it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term.”
The president expressed deep gratitude to Harris, calling her an “extraordinary partner,” and thanked the American people for their trust and faith in him.
He emphasized the need for unity, stating, “There is nothing America can’t do when we do it together. We are the United States of America.”
Calls for Biden to withdraw from the race had been growing louder following his disastrous debate performance.
During the debate, Biden struggled to articulate his points, prompting critics to question his cognitive abilities.
His public appearances since then had been uneven, exacerbating voter concerns about his age and fitness for office.
Despite these challenges, Biden had previously insisted he was best placed to defeat Trump in the upcoming election.
However, pressure from within his party mounted, with more than 30 Democratic members of Congress calling on him to step aside.
An ABC News/Ipsos poll released Sunday found that 60% of Democrats believed he should end his bid for re-election.
Biden’s Withdrawal
Biden’s withdrawal from the race marks a significant moment in American politics.
It leaves the Democratic nomination wide open just months before the November election.
The Democratic National Convention, scheduled for August, will now play a crucial role in determining the party’s nominee.
Kamala Harris, who has served as Biden’s vice president, is widely considered the front-runner for the Democratic nomination.
In his letter, Biden expressed his full support for Harris. “My 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,” he said.
“Today, I want to 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.”
Pressure by Democrats
Biden’s announcement came after a weeks-long pressure campaign by Democratic leaders, organizers, and donors who saw no path to victory with him on the ticket.
Senior Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, praised Biden’s decision.
“Joe Biden has not only been a great president and a great legislative leader but he is a truly amazing human being. His decision was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first,” Schumer said.
Tammy Baldwin, the Wisconsin Democrat seeking re-election in a competitive Senate race, also praised Biden. “It has been an honour to work with Joe Biden to deliver real, meaningful change for working Wisconsinites across our state,” she said.
“Throughout all of that work, I’ve been inspired by his decency, integrity, and dedication to service. I am deeply grateful for that. Thank you, President Biden.”
Donald Trump Reacts
Minutes after Biden’s announcement, Trump reacted, calling Biden “the single worst president by far in the history of our country.”
Trump expressed confidence that he would find it easier to defeat Harris than Biden.
Republicans, including Elise Stefanik and JD Vance, also responded to Biden’s withdrawal.
Calls for Resignation
Stefanik called for Biden to resign immediately, stating, “If Joe Biden can’t run for re-election, he is unable and unfit to serve as president of the United States. He must immediately resign.”
Biden’s decision to step aside from the race, while remaining as president, caps a tumultuous few weeks in American politics.
Trump’s campaign narrowly survived an assassination attempt during a rally in Pennsylvania.
Biden, after appealing for calm, returned to the campaign trail determined to salvage his candidacy.
However, his uneven public appearances and a positive COVID-19 test further complicated his efforts.
Challenge Before Democrats
The Democratic party now faces the challenge of choosing a new nominee with little time before the election.
The 95% of delegates who pledged to support Biden in the primaries can now vote for a different candidate at the Democratic National Convention.
Harris, with the largest national profile of any Democratic candidate, is seen as the safest option.
However, other potential candidates, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, may also be considered.
In a recent interview, Biden reflected on his presidency and his initial expectation to serve one term.
“I was going to be a transitional candidate, and I thought I would be able to move on and pass it on to somebody else,” he said.
Despite the divisions, Biden emphasized his confidence in Harris’s ability to serve as president. “She’s not only a great vice president,” he said, “she could be president of the United States.”
Biden’s decision not to seek re-election has plunged the Democratic nomination into uncertainty, setting the stage for a high-stakes convention and a closely watched presidential race against Trump in November.
