President Joe Biden has left the presidential race with what seems to be no bitterness about it! On Wednesday (July 24), he decided to leave and approve Vice President Kamala Harris to take the GOP nomination Donald Trump.
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Speaking from the Oval Office, Biden’s address gave the public the first opportunity to hear directly from him. It was a key moment in the spotlight for Biden after his campaign spent weeks arguing he was the best candidate to take on Trump and insisting he would not back down.
“The defense of democracy is more important than any title,” Biden said. “No one, no one can save our democracy. And that includes personal ambitions.
“I respect this office, but I love my country more,” Biden added.
Key Takeaways From Biden’s First Statement About Dropping Out of the Presidential Race
As the president tried to explain the stakes in the election, he tried to avoid overt campaigning from his official office and never mentioned Donald Trump’s name.
“The good thing about America is here, kings and dictators don’t rule,” Biden said. “That person. History is in your hands. The power is in your hands. The American idea – lies in your hands.
Biden’s address was carried by major broadcast and cable news networks. He vowed to remain focused as president until his term expires at noon on January 20, 2025. He aims to end the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, fight to increase government support for cancer treatment, and call for Supreme Court reform.
“I’ve decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation,” Biden said, saying he wanted to make room for “fresh voices, yes, younger voices.” He added, “This is the best way to unite our nation.”
Now: President Biden delivers his Oval Office Address. https://t.co/SgDozlPdGS
– The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 24, 2024
Summary of the Election Race
Biden’s candidacy is facing a crisis of confidence from Democrats after an abysmal debate against Trump nearly a year ago. During the event, the president was at a loss for words, looked pale, and failed to rebut his earlier attacks.
Doubt quickly crept in about whether he could defeat Trump in November. In addition, there are concerns about whether he is still fit for high-pressure work at 81 years old.
Despite efforts to steer the conversation, Biden finally pulled it off on Sunday, July 21. He made the announcement while isolating at his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and recovering from COVID-19.
In a letter posted to X’s account, he talks about the work he’s done as president in the past few years and his dedication to getting out of the Oval Office! At the time, there were only 100 days left until the polls opened in November.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
White House Reveals What’s Next For Biden, As Trump Comes For Kamala Harris’ Neck
Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Wednesday that any question about Biden stepping down — which would have allowed Harris to become the incumbent — was “not funny.”
Jean-Pierre said Biden had “no regrets” about staying in the race as long as he did or dropping out over the weekend. He said Biden’s decision had nothing to do with his health.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Donald also held his first public meeting since Biden passed the torch. The GOP nominee’s focus was all on his new opponent as he spoke to supporters in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“So now we have a new victim to beat: Lyin’ Kamala Harris,” Trump said, labeling him “the most incompetent and most leftist vice president in American history.”
Donald Trump called him a “crazy radical leftist” and called him “crazy”
for her positions on abortion and immigration. He also mispronounced her first name repeatedly.
Watch Former President Donald Trump’s final remarks before wrapping up a nearly two-hour rally at Charlotte’s Bojangles Coliseum earlier today. pic.twitter.com/wC3Z1tHSY1
— WBTV News (@WBTV_News) July 25, 2024
RELATED: Trump Campaign Files Complaint With FEC to Prevent Transfer of $91.5M From Biden Campaign to Harris Campaign
Associated Press staff MEG KINNARD, ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON, ZEKE MILLER, SEUNG MIN KIM, and WILL WEISSERT contributed to this report.
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