In a surprising turn of events, President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he will not seek re-election, ending his long and storied political career just four months before the upcoming Election Day.
Biden, 81, struggled to overcome growing concerns within his party regarding his ability to serve another term and his prospects against Donald Trump in November.
“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 to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term,” Biden stated in a letter posted on X. He added that he will address the nation later in the week to provide more details about his decision.
In his letter, Biden expressed gratitude to Vice President Kamala Harris for “being an extraordinary partner.”
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race so close to his party’s convention and just months before the election is unprecedented in modern times. The last sitting president to abandon a re-election bid was Lyndon Johnson, whose controversial expansion of the Vietnam War led to a divided Democratic Party. However, Johnson’s announcement came in March 1968, eight months before that election.
Vice President Kamala Harris, as the first female vice president and a woman of color, is seen as a strong contender. She enjoys significant support among African Americans, a crucial demographic for the Democratic Party.
Concerns from Democratic party
Concerns about Biden’s health and capabilities have persisted throughout his presidency, culminating after his debate with Trump on June 27. His lackluster performance, combined with declining poll numbers, heightened anxiety within his party about his ability to win in November.
During the debate, watched by 51 million people, Biden spoke with a raspy voice and often struggled to complete his thoughts or effectively convey his message. He later attributed his performance to exhaustion and a cold, urging the nation not to judge him by one poor showing.
Despite his plea, the debate performance intensified calls from Democratic lawmakers for Biden to step aside.
According to several reports, Former President Barack Obama said that following the debate, Biden’s path to victory had diminished and that he should “seriously consider the viability of his candidacy.”
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