Joe Biden Drops From 2024 Presidential Race
After weeks of pressure, speculation, and concern within the Democratic Party, President Joe Biden has decided to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. This decision propels the Democrats into uncharted territory.
In a written statement on Sunday afternoon, Biden announced he will address the nation later in the week, expressing that stepping down is in the country’s best interest. His decision follows persistent public and private appeals from Democrats who believe he is unlikely to defeat former President Donald Trump.
Biden’s statement did not outline the next steps and, while he praised Vice President Kamala Harris as an “extraordinary partner,” he did not explicitly endorse her as his successor. The upcoming presidential race is now entering unprecedented territory for the modern era, as no primary winner has ever withdrawn before the convention since the 1970s. Furthermore, no major-party nominee has entered the race so close to November.
This turn of events is dramatic. Just a few months ago, Biden navigated the primary season with little opposition, but his party’s support has since crumbled, making it impossible for him to continue his campaign. The collapse was triggered by Biden’s disastrous debate performance on June 27, which heightened concerns about his electoral prospects, health, and capacity, concerns that had long existed but were suddenly undeniable.
The debate was not the start of doubts about Biden, but it made them impossible to ignore and pushed the party to act. What happens next is uncertain. Some Democrats believe Biden’s age made him a uniquely flawed nominee and that another candidate could perform better against Trump. Others fear deeper electoral issues will make any replacement nominee’s path difficult.
At the start of Biden’s first term, his age and poor polling numbers raised doubts about a second run. He is the oldest US president ever and would be 82 by Inauguration Day. His job approval has been low since late 2021. However, Biden consistently stated his intention to run again and, after a better-than-expected midterm performance, made his reelection campaign official in April 2023.
All of the party’s rising stars refrained from challenging him, avoiding internal division and criticism. As a result, Biden easily defeated challenges from Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) and author Marianne Williamson. Nevertheless, doubts lingered. Skeptics noted his avoidance of a traditional pre-Super Bowl interview, reluctance to hold press conferences, and a special counsel report questioning his memory. In February, columnist Ezra Klein suggested the Democrats choose a different nominee at the convention due to Biden’s perceived inability to handle the campaign’s rigors.
Biden’s spirited State of the Union address in March temporarily quelled these concerns but did not improve his polling numbers, as he continued to trail Trump nationally and in swing states. His team proposed an early debate with Trump to reset the race and address concerns about his age, a highly unusual move.
Instead, Biden’s performance emphasized his campaign’s challenges, leading to a loss of media support. Liberal commentators urged him to quit the race, and mainstream journalists intensely investigated his condition. Despite Biden’s efforts to regain support through interviews and public events, his fundraising plummeted, and pressure from Democrats grew until he acknowledged the inevitable and decided to step aside.
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