President Joe Biden on Wednesday said abandoning his reelection campaign and endorsing his vice president, Kamala Harris, as the Democratic candidate was the best way to unite the country and save democracy, despite his ambition to win a second term.
Biden’s announcement to end his presidential bid on Sunday followed a disastrous June debate with Donald Trump, which exacerbated questions about his ability to defeat the Republican candidate, or to serve another four years if he succeeded.
In his address to the nation from the Oval Office, the 81-year-old president said he believed he deserved to be reelected based on his record during his first term.
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“But nothing, nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy. That includes personal ambition,” he said. “So I decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. That is the best way to unite our nation.”
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the speech was “barely understandable and sooo bad!”
In the three days since Joe Biden’s decision, Harris has pulled in broad support across the Democratic Party and revitalized its election campaign. Harris, the first Black woman and Asian American to serve as vice president, would become the first woman elected president if she prevails on Nov. 5.
Biden praised Harris, 59, as a strong leader who would make an effective president.
“She’s experienced, she’s tough, she’s capable. She’s been an incredible partner to me and a leader for our country. Now the choice is up to you the American people,” he said.
Hours earlier, Trump tried to quash some of that momentum in an aggressive speech at a campaign rally, his first since Harris’ emergence changed the race. “She is a radical Left lunatic who will destroy our country if she ever gets elected,” he said.
