As a long-time gamer and political observer, I’ve seen my fair share of twists and turns in the political landscape. But the recent announcement by President Joe Biden that he will not seek re-election has left me stunned.
President Joe Biden has announced that he will not run for re-election and will step down from the presidency after serving one term.
On Sunday, Biden shared the news through his formal social media channels. He mentioned that he would address the nation later in the week.
“I’ve felt deeply privileged to be your President, an experience that has touched my life in the most profound way. Initially, I planned to run for reelection. However, I now believe it’s crucial for my party and the country that I step aside and dedicate all my energies to completing my presidential term.”
Currently, I’d like to extend my most sincere thanks to everyone who put in so much effort to help me win again. I’m grateful for Vice President Kamala Harris’ unwavering support and partnership throughout this journey. And I can’t forget to thank the American people for believing in me once more.
In his next communication, President Biden formally backed Harris as his successor. “The first choice I made as the Democratic nominee in 2020 was selecting Kamala Harris as my vice president. It’s been an excellent decision. Now, I wholeheartedly endorse Kamala to lead our party this year. Democrats, let’s unite and defeat Trump. Let’s make it happen.”
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
A historic move: For the first time since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968, a current US president has decided not to seek re-nomination from his party for a second term. No presidential candidate has ever withdrawn during the election campaign itself.
For three weeks, the Democratic party has been in turmoil due to anxiety and infighting over President Joe Biden’s disappointing debate performance against Donald Trump on June 27. During this 90-minute event, Biden seemed weak and struggled to articulate clear arguments, leading many to call for his withdrawal from the race. Immediate demands for him to quit came from CNN pundits, followed by numerous elected officials and commentators. Donors also expressed their displeasure, vowing to withhold funds from the Biden campaign and some even refusing to support any Democratic candidates until he stepped down.
Biden and his strongest supporters countered repeatedly, arguing that the president had experienced a rough evening, was under the weather with a cold, and was dealing with jet lag. They continued to believe that Biden remained the top Democratic contender capable of challenging Trump in the upcoming November election.
Several reports have indicated that Biden’s debate performance was not an isolated incident, but rather a pattern of struggles he has experienced in recent years during private meetings with officials and behind closed doors. These incidents have allegedly become more frequent and severe in the past six months. Biden’s close associates and supporters in politics and media have faced accusations of downplaying the president’s decline by consistently claiming that he was mentally sharp, despite mounting evidence to the contrary.
The effects of Biden’s debate showing were reflected in the polls. Although nationwide post-debate polls indicated only a slight improvement for Trump, there was evidence from at least one leaked survey that the debate significantly harmed Trump’s standing in crucial swing state races essential for winning the election.
Lately, it’s been rumored that Biden has received calls from top Congressional leaders, including Nancy Pelosi, the former House Speaker, and Chuck Schumer, the current Senate Majority Leader, who have reportedly urged him in private conversations to resign.
Last weekend’s unsuccessful assassination attempt on Trump momentarily eased the pressure on Biden. The image of Trump, seen in viral photos, raising his fist defiantly after the shooting sparked debates among some about whether the Republican nominee had become invincible and if Democrats should abandon their hopes of fielding a strong candidate against him. However, others argued that this incident made it even more crucial for Democrats to put forward a robust contender who could potentially secure victory.
Biden strongly insisted on continuing his presidential campaign until close to the end, telling MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” last week, “We’re not going anywhere. I’m not going anywhere.” He even proposed to ABC News that if he lost in November, he would be content as long as he gave it his all (“If Trump wins in November, I’ll feel good knowing I gave it my best shot”). However, Biden’s determination to stay in the race despite mounting pressure from media, donors, and Congress may cast doubt on the common interpretation that Biden put the country first by stepping down. Instead, it seems more appropriate to acknowledge that although Biden made the decision to step down, he held out until he no longer had a choice.
An intriguing query arises: Which Democrat will ultimately secure the nomination other than Biden, and how will this transition occur?
Some people argue that Harris could become the undisputed nominee due to her current position as Vice President and the vast amount of funds from the Biden-Harris campaign. Recent news reports indicate that Democratic party leaders are leaning towards this idea, and Biden’s endorsement further strengthens this notion.
Instead of relying solely on Harris’ poll numbers and assuming she should secure the Democratic nomination due to her current lead against Biden, some argue that it’s important to allow other potential candidates like Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, and California governor Gavin Newsom, the opportunity to present their cases during a “mini primary.” This approach would make it more difficult for critics to claim that Democrats are not upholding democratic principles if they anoint a single candidate.
In this situation, every potential candidate would have the opportunity to share their plans for guiding the country forward during debates and voter surveys. This process would help determine which candidate might perform well in November’s election. The campaigning would culminate at the Democratic Convention in Chicago, scheduled for Aug. 19-22. At this event, delegates who had originally committed to support Biden would be allowed to change their allegiance instead.
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2024-07-21 21:25