In a surprising turn of events, President Joe Biden has announced his decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race.
This announcement comes amid growing pressure from within his own party and concerns about his electability.
Biden said:
“My Fellow Americans,
Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation.
Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We’ve made historic investments in rebuilding our Nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans. We’ve provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today.
I know none of this could have been done without you, the American people. Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We’ve protected and preserved our Democracy. And we’ve revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world.
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 and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.
I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision.
For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me.
I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can’t do when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America.”
The decision was not an easy one for the 81-year-old president, who has been facing calls from top Democrats to step aside.
Despite his initial insistence that he would not leave the race, the pressure from party leaders and close friends has persuaded him to reconsider.
Biden’s decision to drop out has been met with mixed reactions.
While some Democrats are relieved, others are concerned about the implications for the party’s chances in the upcoming election.
There is also speculation about who will replace Biden as the Democratic nominee.
The president’s announcement comes as a surprise to many, as he had previously insisted that he was the best candidate to defeat Donald Trump.
However, recent polls have shown that more than two-thirds of Democrats believe he should withdraw from the race.
In a statement, Biden expressed his gratitude for the support he has received and his commitment to the Democratic Party.
He also emphasized the importance of unity in the face of the challenges ahead.
The decision to drop out is a significant one for Biden, who has been a prominent figure in American politics for decades.
It remains to be seen how this will impact his legacy and the future of the Democratic Party.
As the race for the Democratic nomination begins anew, all eyes are on potential candidates who could step up to fill the void left by Biden.
The coming weeks and months will undoubtedly be filled with speculation and anticipation as the party seeks to find a new leader to carry the torch in the upcoming election.
