Biden Withdraws from Re-Election Campaign Amid Pressure

Biden Withdraws from Re-Election Campaign

After weeks of intense pressure from party officials and the public to reassess his re-election bid, President Joe Biden has officially announced his decision to withdraw as a candidate. In a heartfelt letter shared on his social media account on X, Biden expressed that this choice “is in the best interest of my party and the country.”

While Biden did not immediately endorse Vice President Kamala Harris, his announcement has thrown Democrats into a state of uncertainty just months ahead of the crucial election against Donald Trump. He did take a moment to thank Harris, describing her as an “extraordinary partner” throughout his presidency.

Calls for the 81-year-old president to step aside intensified following a televised debate with Trump on June 27, where he appeared visibly fatigued and struggled to counter Trump’s often misleading statements. His responses were often rambling, and at times, he seemed to stare blankly into space, raising concerns about his cognitive and physical stamina.

In the aftermath of the debate, Biden’s allies briefed the media, claiming he had been suffering from a cold. To regain momentum, he delivered a more spirited speech at a subsequent campaign rally. However, in the weeks that followed, Biden frequently appeared tired during interviews and public appearances, leading more prominent Democrats to either become evasive about his future or openly call for him to step aside, despite others insisting they still supported him.

A particularly alarming moment occurred during a summit in Washington to celebrate NATO’s 75th anniversary. Although Biden managed to hold an extended press conference discussing complex policy matters, he mistakenly referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as “President Putin” and called Kamala Harris “Vice President Trump.” As it became increasingly clear that Biden’s efforts to quell concerns were failing, senior party figures, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, began to provide more ambiguous responses when asked about Biden’s future.

A significant intervention came from George Clooney, one of the Democratic Party’s major donors, who published an op-ed in the New York Times stating, “The one battle (Biden) cannot win is the fight against time.” Clooney remarked, “It’s devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fundraiser was not the Joe ‘big F-ing deal’ Biden of 2010. He wasn’t even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate.”

Over the Edge

Even the attempted assassination of Donald Trump shortly before the announcement did little to shift the focus from Biden’s predicament. As the Democratic National Convention approached, it was revealed that Biden had contracted COVID-19, necessitating a period of recovery at his home in Delaware.

Following this news, Black Entertainment Television aired a pre-recorded interview in which Biden appeared significantly unwell, struggling to recall the name of his Defense Secretary, Lloyd Austin, instead referring to him simply as “the black guy.”

With the Republican convention concluded, the Democratic Party’s central leadership seemed to be preparing a plan for a virtual roll call vote to confirm Biden’s nomination ahead of their own convention in Chicago in September. This strategy aimed to compel delegates to cast their votes for him swiftly. However, before this plan could unfold, Biden announced his withdrawal.

What Now?

The specifics of what will occur at the Democratic convention or how Biden’s successor will be chosen remain uncertain. The most apparent path forward involves nominating Vice President Kamala Harris, positioning her to potentially become the first woman president of the United States. Harris has been increasingly active on the campaign trail in recent months, and her polling numbers have shown improvement compared to both Biden and Trump.

Other well-known Democrats, such as California Governor Gavin Newsom and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, have also emerged as potential nominees. However, after a tumultuous period of pressuring Biden to step down, it remains unclear whether anyone in the party will dare to challenge Harris and risk exacerbating internal divisions.

Our journalists are diligently working on this evolving story and will provide updates as more information becomes available.