President Joe Biden made the decision to terminate his bid for re-election on Sunday following a disastrous debate performance with his rival Donald Trump that raised doubts among voters and party members about his ability, at 81 years old, to serve another term.
In a letter shared on his campaign’s X account, Biden expressed his intention to fulfill his responsibilities as president until his term concludes in January, promising to address the nation later in the week regarding his choice. Additionally, he threw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris, advocating for her to be the party’s nominee in the current year.
The president, currently in Delaware recovering from a bout of COVID-19, received a positive medical update from his doctor, stating that his symptoms were notably improving. The decision to withdraw from the race, less than a month after the controversial debate, was a recognition of the prevailing political circumstances after constant pressure from Biden’s supporters both publicly and behind the scenes.
Notable figures including Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer were among those urging Biden to reconsider his candidacy in light of his waning support.
The involvement of influential personalities from the financial sector, as well as prominent donors like George Clooney, who expressed concern over Biden’s decline, added to the momentum for him to step aside.
Despite attempts to weather the criticism, Biden, in an interview with NBC News just earlier last week, insisted on staying in the race, emphasizing that his work was unfinished. However, a subsequent interview on BET saw Biden indicating a willingness to withdraw if a health issue arose, which was followed by his positive COVID-19 diagnosis and subsequent isolation in Delaware.
The mounting pressure on Biden from various fronts finally culminated in his decision to end his re-election bid, as concerns over his chances against Donald Trump in the upcoming election grew more pronounced.
President Biden’s decision has swiftly propelled the 2024 election into unprecedented waters. Vice President Harris emerges as the undeniable frontrunner, backed by Biden’s endorsement. Nevertheless, there is potential for other candidates to vie for the position as the party’s focal point now that Biden’s delegates are unbound.
Following Biden’s lackluster debate display, characterized by lapses in coherence and a wandering train of thought that underscored mounting apprehensions about his capacity for leadership, political and financial analysts wasted no time in compiling lists of conceivable successors to take the reins from the outgoing president.
