Breaking: Biden withdraws from US presidency race against Trump, plunging Democratic nomination into uncertainty
President Joe Biden has withdrawn from the race for the US presidency, a decision that dramatically alters the landscape of the 2024 election and injects significant uncertainty into the Democratic nomination process just months before the November election.
This move leaves the Democratic Party scrambling to find a new candidate to face off against Republican nominee Donald Trump, whom Biden has repeatedly warned poses an existential threat to American democracy.
Biden steps aside amid mounting pressure and health concerns
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.
The president thanked Vice President Kamala Harris but did not endorse her as his successor. He plans to address the nation later this week to provide more details.
Biden’s announcement follows a weeks-long pressure campaign by Democratic leaders, organizers, and donors who saw no path to victory with Biden as the nominee.
Concerns about Biden’s age and capability to serve another term were exacerbated by a disastrous debate performance and uneven public appearances. Biden, 81, has faced growing scrutiny over his ability to lead the nation effectively for another four years.
The tumultuous political climate intensifies
Biden’s withdrawal comes after an extraordinarily turbulent period in American politics. Trump narrowly survived an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, which resulted in one death and left Trump with a bloodied ear.
In the aftermath, Biden appealed for calm and returned to the campaign trail, but his efforts were marred by a positive Covid test as he was set to speak at a conference in Nevada.
Democratic convention approaches with heightened uncertainty
The Democratic Party now faces the daunting task of selecting a new nominee with its national convention set to begin on August 19 in Chicago.
Approximately 4,000 Democratic delegates will gather to choose a new candidate, with Kamala Harris emerging as an early favorite due to her national profile and her role as vice president.
Harris, 59, is considered the safest option with just four months until the election, and she may retain the Biden campaign’s $91.6 million war chest more easily than a new candidate.
Potential contenders and the road ahead
Despite Harris’s advantages, her nomination is not guaranteed. Other potential candidates include California Governor Gavin Newsom, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.
These candidates would need to quickly introduce themselves to voters, develop a campaign message, and prepare to challenge Trump in a compressed timeline.
The urgency and high stakes of this process reflect the Democrats’ preference for taking a risk with a new candidate rather than sticking with a nominee who has seen declining support.
According to an AP-Norc Center for Public Affairs Research survey released on Wednesday, nearly two-thirds of Biden’s supporters believed he should withdraw from the race.
Biden’s transitional presidency and future endorsements
In a recent interview with BET, Biden acknowledged that he had initially intended to serve only one term, fulfilling his 2020 campaign promise to act as a “bridge” to the next generation of Democratic leaders.
I was going to be a transitional candidate, and I thought I would be able to move on from this and pass it on to somebody else.
#However, he admitted he did not anticipate the extent of political division that has since emerged.
In his recent public appearances, Biden has increased his praise for Harris, highlighting her readiness to serve as president.
“She’s not only a great vice-president,” Biden said at the NAACP convention in Las Vegas, “she could be president of the United States.”
Implications for the Democratic Party and the election
Biden’s withdrawal marks a significant moment in American politics, introducing a period of uncertainty and rapid decision-making for the Democratic Party. The upcoming convention in Chicago will be pivotal in determining the party’s direction and strategy for the November election.
The selected nominee will have to swiftly mobilize a campaign, unify the party, and challenge Trump in what promises to be a highly contentious and closely watched race.
As the Democratic Party navigates this unexpected shift, the stakes for the 2024 presidential election have become even higher.
The outcome will shape the future of American democracy and the country’s political landscape for years to come.
The post Breaking: Biden withdraws from US presidency race against Trump, plunging Democratic nomination into uncertainty appeared first on Invezz
