A wave of support from leading Democrats has followed U.S. President Joe Biden’s endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic Party’s nomination in the upcoming November election.
Biden announced his withdrawal from the race yesterday, nominating Harris to run. He said it was in the best interests of the Democratic Party and the country. In a second tweet after stepping down, Biden said:
“My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best decision I’ve made. Today, I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.”
Biden’s former Republican challenger, Donald Trump, responded on X, saying the President “is the worst president in the history of our country. He goes down as the single worst president by far in the history of our country.”
Among the leading Democrats endorsing Harris were former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senator Elizabeth Warren.
Clintons’ Endorsement
In a statement posted on X, Bill and Hillary Clinton expressed their honor in joining President Biden in endorsing Harris. They stated, “Now is the time to support Kamala Harris and fight with everything we’ve got to elect her.”
Pelosi’s Statement
Pelosi thanked Biden for his decades of public service, calling him “one of the most consequential Presidents in American history.” She wrote, “God blessed America with Joe Biden’s greatness and goodness.”
Warren’s Support
Senator Warren asserted that Biden’s presidency has been transformational. She said:
“He accomplished more in the past four years — to bring back jobs, stand up to big corporations, and build an economy that works for all of us — than we have been able to get done in the last 40. He deserves full credit for beating Donald Trump in 2020, and his selfless decision today gives us our best shot at doing it again in 2024.
“I endorse Kamala Harris for President. She is a proven fighter who has been a national leader in safeguarding consumers and protecting access to abortion. As a former prosecutor, she can press a forceful case against allowing Donald Trump to regain the White House. We have many talented people in our party, but Vice President Harris is the person who was chosen by the voters to succeed Joe Biden if needed. She can unite our party, take on Donald Trump, and win in November.”
Harris’ Acceptance
In accepting her nomination, Harris asserted that she would seek the Democratic presidential nomination. She said:
“I am honored to have the President’s endorsement, and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party — and unite our nation – to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda. We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win.”
Obama’s Praise
Former President Barack Obama praised Biden, noting that he has been one of America’s most consequential presidents. Obama stated:
“Sixteen years ago, when I began my search for a vice president, I knew about Joe’s remarkable career in public service. But what I came to admire even more was his character — his deep empathy and hard-earned resilience; his fundamental decency and belief that everyone counts.
“Since taking office, President Biden has displayed that character again and again. He helped end the pandemic, created millions of jobs, lowered the cost of prescription drugs, passed the first major piece of gun safety legislation in 30 years, made the biggest investment to address climate change in history, and fought to ensure the rights of working people to organize for fair wages and benefits. Internationally, he restored America’s standing in the world, revitalized NATO, and mobilized the world to stand up against Russian aggression in Ukraine.”
Sanders’ Remarks
Senator Bernie Sanders noted Biden’s service to the U.S. with honor and dignity. He said, “As the first president to ever walk on a picket line with striking workers, he has been the most pro-working class president in modern American history. Thank you, Mr. President, for all you’ve done.”
Biden’s Reflections
In announcing his exit from the race, Biden posted on X, “It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”
Reflecting on his presidency, Biden expressed gratitude to Americans for their resilience and support:
“Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We’ve protected and preserved our democracy. And we’ve revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world.”
He expressed appreciation to Vice President Harris, calling her “an extraordinary partner in all this work.” He highlighted the achievements of his administration over the past three and a half years, emphasizing progress in the economy, healthcare, veterans’ care, gun safety, and climate legislation.
Biden remains optimistic about the country’s future, saying: “I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can’t do – when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America.”
Historical Context
In abandoning his reelection campaign, Biden joins two other incumbent presidents in modern history who chose not to seek reelection: President Harry S. Truman in 1952 and President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968. Those presidents’ announcements, however, came months earlier and gave their party far more time to regroup for the general election. Even so, Democrats lost both elections.
Truman and Johnson had both already served more than one term, having come to office upon the death of their predecessor.
