(MENAFN- Colombo Gazette) Joe Biden has sensationally ended his bid for reelection and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris after enduring weeks of calls to step down from the 2024 US presidential race.
On July 21, Biden caved to pressure that had been mounting since his disastrous June 27 debate performance, which sparked unrelenting questions about his cognitive decline.
Biden made the stunning announcement in a letter posted to X on Sunday, stating he would not seek reelection in November.
“Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation,” he wrote.
“Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We've made historic investments in rebuilding our Nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans.
“We've provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world.”
“America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today.”
He went on,“I know none of this could have been done without you, the American people. 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.
“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 focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”
Biden said he planned to speak further about his decision later this week.
“For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work,” he wrote.
“And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me.
“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.”
Following his announcement, Biden posted another tweet endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the new Democratic party nominee.
“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,” he wrote.
“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.”
Bill and Hillary Clinton, who was floated as a replacement for Joe, announced their support of Harris, saying they were“honored to join the President in endorsing” her.
After Biden's endorsement, Harris thanked him for his support and said she plans to win the election and unite the Democratic party.
“Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election,” she wrote.
“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 E
GOP nominee Donald Trump was quick to blast Biden after his announcement, writing,“We will suffer greatly because of his presidency.”
“Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve – And never was!” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.
“He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement.
“All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasn't capable of being President, and he wasn't – And now, look what he's done to our Country, with millions of people coming across our Border, totally unchecked and unvetted, many from prisons, mental institutions, and record numbers of terrorists.
“We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. Make America Great Again!”
In another post, the former president wrote,“Crooked Joe Biden is the Worst President, by far, in the History of our Nation. (The Sun)
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