President Joe Biden has announced that he is dropping out of the 2024 presidential race and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris. The announcement came via a letter posted on X (formerly Twitter), where Biden stated that it was time for him to step down and focus on completing the remainder of his presidency. This decision follows weeks of concerns from Democratic leaders about the 81-year-old president’s mental fitness and his chances of defeating former President Donald Trump in the upcoming election.
Read this letter by President Joe Biden to the American People.
The Democratic Party now faces the critical task of deciding their presidential nominee with the Democratic National Convention only four weeks away. While President Biden has endorsed Vice President Harris, this does not guarantee her nomination. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair has assured that the party will soon announce the next steps for the nomination process, promising a “transparent and orderly process.”
Vice President Kamala Harris addresses an event at the White House celebrating the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship teams from the 2023-2024 season. This marks Harris’ first public appearance since President Biden endorsed her as his replacement in the presidential race against Donald Trump, following his announcement to withdraw from the race.
Vice President Kamala Harris is poised to secure the Democratic Party’s nomination for president following President Biden’s decision to end his reelection campaign and endorse her. CBS News Chief White House Correspondent Nancy Cordes reports on the endorsements and donations flooding in for Harris. Democratic strategists Joel Payne and Ashley Etienne joined CBS News to discuss Harris’ strategy moving forward.
Polls indicate that if Vice President Harris secures the Democratic presidential nomination, she would be in a tight race with former President Trump. According to a CNN Poll of Polls average, Trump holds 48% support, while Harris has 47%. This polling does not include third-party or independent candidates.
The Democratic National Convention Rules Committee is set to meet on Wednesday to establish a framework for the process of selecting the party’s next nominee. The committee has pledged that this process will be “open, transparent, fair, and orderly.”
Meanwhile, top House Republicans are calling for President Biden to resign from office immediately. House Speaker Mike Johnson argues that Biden’s decision to withdraw from the presidential race is an indication that he is unfit to serve as president. Johnson expressed concerns about the nation’s security and claimed that adversaries view Biden as an incapable leader.
Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales echoed these sentiments, stating that the nation faces numerous threats, including a surge of illegal immigration, and needs a leader who can make swift decisions.
Florida Senator Rick Scott announced that he will introduce a resolution calling for Biden’s removal through the 25th Amendment. Scott contends that if Biden is not fit to run for re-election, he is not fit to serve out the remainder of his term. He plans to urge President Biden’s cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment.
Former Republican National Committee Chair Shawn Steel is strongly criticizing Vice President Kamala Harris, claiming she is unqualified to run the country. Speaking from Seal Beach, CA, Steel noted the conspicuous absence of endorsements from prominent Democrats like Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton for Harris. He also highlighted that some Democratic lawmakers are advocating for an open convention where delegates can vote on candidates. Acknowledging that his critique might seem harsh, Steel reiterated his belief that Harris is unfit for the roles of both Vice President and President, adding that she is currently keeping a low profile.
Steel is suggesting that Biden did not voluntarily step down and that the Democratic Party has a lot of explaining to do. Steel compared this situation to 1968 when President Lyndon B. Johnson decided to quit on his own after losing the New Hampshire primary.
President Biden is reportedly working on a speech to explain his decision to drop out of the race. According to NBC News, Biden’s remarks will detail the reasons behind his decision. Currently recovering from COVID-19 in Delaware, it is not yet known when he will address the nation.
