President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race on Sunday, succumbing to nearly a month of intense pressure from Democratic leaders and donors urging him to step down.
President Joe Biden’s Letter To The People
“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President,” Biden wrote in a heartfelt letter posted on 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 stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”
Although Biden’s letter did not elaborate on the Democratic Party’s next steps for choosing a new candidate, he assured the nation that he would address the decision in more detail later this week.
What’s Next For The Democrats?
Biden expressed his appreciation for Vice President Kamala Harris, describing her as “an extraordinary partner” and offering her his “full support and endorsement.” Harris, potentially poised to take over the $240 million campaign war chest amassed over the past few years, received vocal support from donors and political figures like Nancy Pelosi for an open nomination process.
“With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else,” Harris stated on Sunday. “I am honored to have the president’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination.”
What Caused Us To Arrive At This Juncture?
Biden’s decision comes after a challenging three-week period, beginning with a debate against Republican nominee Donald Trump in late June. During the debate, Biden’s performance raised concerns due to his age and physical condition, prompting a wave of calls for his resignation from donors, editorial boards, and elected officials.
High-profile Democratic donors, including Laurene Powell Jobs and Ron Conway, started discussing possible replacements for Biden ahead of the Democratic National Convention, as reported by the New York Times. LinkedIn founder and Biden donor Reid Hoffman expressed concerns over the president’s viability, stating, “I have seen some emails from people in Silicon Valley who said, ‘I’m not going to donate more until I have more confidence.’”
Key Democratic figures, including Nancy Pelosi, Jim Clyburn, Chuck Schumer, and Hakeem Jeffries, raised concerns about Biden’s impact on down-ballot elections and his overall fitness for office. Pelosi questioned Biden’s condition in an interview with MSNBC, while Schumer and Jeffries reportedly conveyed party members’ concerns directly to the president.
An assassination attempt on Trump temporarily halted the ambition, but Pelosi and Schumer’s private discussions with Biden about his dwindling political support and unfavorable polling marked a turning point. Pelosi conveyed that polling indicated a grim outlook for Democrats if Biden remained the candidate.
GOP Power Level Over 9000
The upcoming Democratic candidate will face a reinvigorated Republican Party, energized by its populist wing and alliances with Silicon Valley investors like Elon Musk. This shift is exemplified by the rise of Peter Thiel acolyte J.D. Vance as Trump’s vice president and potential successor.
“Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve,” Trump posted on Truth Social. J.D. Vance echoed this sentiment, questioning Biden’s justification for remaining President if he ended his reelection campaign.
Graceful Goodbyes
Biden concluded his announcement by expressing gratitude to his supporters, writing, “For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected.”
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