U.S. president Biden ends reelection bid, backs Harris
In a stunning turn of events, U.S. President Joe Biden announced the cessation of his reelection campaign on Sunday, citing diminishing confidence in his cognitive abilities among fellow Democrats. Biden, aged 81, declared in a social media post that he will serve out his term until January 2025 and emphasized his intention to focus solely on his presidential duties.
“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And 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,” Biden stated.
Initially omitting an endorsement, Biden swiftly followed up with a statement endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris, 59, to succeed him. Harris, if chosen, would be the first Black woman to lead a major-party ticket in U.S. history.
Former President Donald Trump, Biden’s Republican rival for the upcoming election, expressed confidence that Harris would be an easier opponent to defeat.
Sources familiar with the matter indicated that Biden had a change of heart following a recent debate where concerns about his performance escalated. This decision follows significant pressure from Democratic lawmakers and party officials who questioned his electability after lackluster public appearances and slipping poll numbers.
Biden’s decision marks a historic moment, as he becomes the first sitting president since Lyndon Johnson in 1968 to decline seeking his party’s nomination for reelection. His withdrawal leaves Harris with less than four months to mount a campaign.
If Harris secures the nomination, it would represent a bold move by the Democratic Party, showcasing diversity with their first Black and Asian American woman candidate for the presidency. Biden, who became the oldest U.S. president elected in 2020, had initially positioned himself as a transitional leader bridging generations within the Democratic Party.
Despite early successes in the primary and general elections against Trump in 2020, Biden faced mounting criticism over his age and recent public speaking challenges. His departure from the race underscores the Democrats’ urgent need to regroup ahead of the upcoming election.
For now, all eyes are on Harris as she prepares to potentially make history as the Democratic nominee, challenging Trump in what promises to be a closely watched and highly contentious election season.
This announcement reshapes the political landscape, setting the stage for a Harris-Trump showdown while leaving lingering questions about the future direction of the Democratic Party post-Biden era.
