President Joe Biden delivered a historic Oval Office address on July 24, 2024, explaining his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. In his speech, Biden emphasized that ‘the defense of democracy is more important than any title’ and that it was time to ‘pass the torch to a new generation’.Biden’s decision comes after concerns about his age and fitness for office, particularly following a poor performance in a debate against former President Donald Trump. The President stated that his choice was not driven by personal ambition but by a desire to unite the nation and ensure the continuation of democracy. He outlined his focus for the remainder of his term, including lowering costs for families, growing the economy, and defending personal freedoms.Biden praised Harris as an ‘experienced, tough, and capable’ leader, urging Americans to support her in the upcoming election. He framed the 2024 election as a choice between ‘hope and hate’ and emphasized that the power lies with the people, not with ‘kings and dictators’.The Democratic National Committee has announced new rules allowing Harris to become the official presidential candidate before August 7th if no other candidate emerges. Biden plans to continue holding campaign events and fundraisers for Harris, despite not being on the ballot himself.As Biden shapes his legacy, he highlighted his achievements in job creation, inflation control, and healthcare improvements. He also vowed to continue his work on international issues, including supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression, strengthening NATO, and working towards ending the conflict in Gaza.The President’s decision has been met with widespread support from Democrats, with many donating to Harris’s campaign in the hours following Biden’s announcement. As the race unfolds, Biden’s legacy will be closely tied to Harris’s performance in the upcoming November election.
Key points
- President Biden announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race in an Oval Office address on July 24, 2024.
- Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee, praising her as experienced and capable.
- The decision was framed as prioritizing democracy and unity over personal ambition.
- Biden will focus on key issues for the remainder of his term and continue to support Harris’s campaign.
