In a significant shift in US politics, 81-year-old President Joe Biden has announced he will not seek re-election, citing concerns about his age and health. This decision follows mounting pressure after a poor TV debate performance against Donald Trump.
Biden stated that stepping down is in the “best interest” of both the Democratic Party and the nation. He has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to run for president in the upcoming November election. Harris expressed her gratitude for Biden’s support and quickly launched her 2024 presidential campaign, pledging to “earn and win” the nomination. Despite Biden’s announcement, he will remain in office until the election, now just four months away.
Harris has garnered endorsements from prominent Democrats, including Bill and Hillary Clinton, and celebrities such as Cher and Ariana Grande. Notably, former President Barack Obama has not yet publicly offered his support. In the wake of Biden’s announcement, Democratic donors have shown strong support, contributing nearly $50 million to the party’s fundraising platform, ActBlue, by 9 p.m. local time.
Sources close to Biden revealed that his decision was influenced by polling data showing he was trailing in key swing states. Trump, on the other hand, has stated that he believes Harris would be an easier opponent to defeat and has vowed to reverse the changes implemented during Biden’s administration. Current polls indicate that Trump is leading both Biden and Harris among voters.
Our correspondent, David Blevins, emphasizes the importance of the Democrats not selecting Harris by default, suggesting that the party should ensure her nomination is not perceived as a “coronation.” With Biden’s withdrawal, Harris faces a tight timeframe of four months to mount a successful campaign.
President Biden is currently recovering from his latest bout of COVID-19 and is not expected to make further public statements until later in the week.
