Historic Move as Biden Steps Down, Harris Takes Lead in Chaotic Election Race
In Short:
- President Joe Biden drops out of 2024 reelection race.
- Endorses Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic candidate.
- Cites best interest of party and country for his decision.
- First president in history to withdraw so late in an election.
- Trump survives assassination attempt amid turbulent campaign.
In an unprecedented move, President Joe Biden announced he is dropping out of the 2024 reelection race and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement. Biden, recovering from Covid, stated it was the greatest honor of his life to serve as president. He emphasized that stepping down is in the best interest of the party and the country.
Biden's withdrawal has thrown the Democratic Party into turmoil as they scramble to find a new candidate before the November election. Kamala Harris is now the frontrunner. This decision marks Biden as the first president in U.S. history to withdraw so late in an election, primarily due to concerns about his mental health and acuity.
The president faced mounting pressure from within his party to step down following the June 27 debate. Despite attempts to prove his capability through interviews and press conferences, his gaffes, including mistakenly calling Harris "Vice President Trump," further fueled the calls for his withdrawal. Influential figures like George Clooney and former President Barack Obama also urged him to step down.
Biden’s diagnosis of Covid ultimately led to his decision to withdraw from the race. This period of isolation marked the end of his campaign. His exit follows a period of intense political turbulence, with Trump surviving an assassination attempt at a rally.
The Democratic Party is now relying on Harris to lead the charge against Trump. Recent surveys by the Biden campaign have shown Harris to be a strong contender against Trump, particularly on key issues like abortion rights. Harris has highlighted her historic role as the first woman and first person of Black and South Asian descent to serve as Vice President.
Biden, who took office in January 2021, aimed to heal America’s soul after a tumultuous period under Trump. He implemented a massive Covid recovery plan and a green industry initiative. His presidency also saw strong support for Ukraine against Russia's invasion. However, his term faced criticism for the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and inflation issues, overshadowing positive economic indicators. Concerns about his age and health persisted throughout his presidency.
As the Democratic Party gears up for the upcoming election, all eyes are on Kamala Harris to see if she can lead them to victory and prevent Trump from making a comeback.