Jeo Biden withdraws from 2024 Presidential race, endorces vice-president Kamala Harris

New Delhi, July 22: US President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he is ending his bid for re-election and has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor. Biden, 81, who will continue to serve out his term, is expected to address the nation later this week. President Biden announced in a statement, saying it was "in the best interest of my party and the country."

The full text of his statement, posted on X, reads:

"My Fellow Americans, over the past three-and-a-half years, we have made great progress as a nation. 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.

"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 revitalised and strengthened our alliances around the world.

"It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek re-election, 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.

"I will speak to the nation later this week in more detail about my decision. For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me re-elected.

"I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. 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."

Biden's decision comes after increasing calls for him to step aside following a lacklustre debate performance against former President Donald Trump last month. First Lady Jill Biden expressed her support for her husband, stating she stands by him "whatever road he chose" and remains his "biggest believer," according to her spokeswoman.

Former President Trump, in a phone call with CNN following Biden's announcement, criticized Biden, calling him "the worst president by far in the history of our country" and used the opportunity to issue a fundraising appeal to his supporters. Since Biden's announcement, Trump has posted several statements on his Truth Social platform, questioning Biden's capacity to run the country and calling for changes in the upcoming debates.

Democratic Party Faces Challenge of Uniting Behind New Candidate for November Election After Biden Endorses Harris

With less than four months to go until the election, senior Democrats are quickly rallying behind Kamala Harris. Prominent figures such as Gavin Newsom and Pete Buttigieg, who were previously considered potential candidates, have endorsed her.

Vice President Harris, honoured by Biden's endorsement, has vowed to "earn and win" the nomination. Should she succeed, Harris would make history as the first Black woman and first Asian American to lead a major political party's ticket. In preparation for her campaign, the Biden-Harris campaign has updated its filings with the Federal Election Commission to rename its principal committee and officially declare Harris a candidate for president.

Media reports suggest that despite Biden's endorsement, Harris's path to the nomination is not guaranteed. The party's process for selecting an alternative nominee remains unclear, and there are indications that Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, an independent, might re-register as a Democrat to run for president.

Even though, the support for Harris is also strong in the Senate, with at least 27 out of the 51 senators who caucus with the Democrats, including four independents, publicly backing her. However, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin have yet to endorse her. In the House of Representatives, around 60 Democrats have also voiced their support for Harris.

This unexpected development has thrown the Democratic Party into uncharted territory with just a month remaining before the Democratic National Convention. Despite the growing consensus around Harris, significant steps remain before she can be officially nominated as the party’s candidate. Biden had already secured 3,896 delegates, well above the threshold needed for the nomination.

With his withdrawal, these delegates are no longer pledged to him. The responsibility now falls to the delegates to select a new nominee during the party's convention in Chicago on August 19. If the party cannot unite behind a new candidate, it could lead to an open convention for the first time since 1968, requiring 1,976 delegate votes to secure the nomination.

Delegates will need signatures from at least 300 fellow delegates, with no more than 50 from any single state, to have their names appear on the ballot. The initial round of voting will involve 3,900 pledged delegates. If no candidate secures a majority in the first round, subsequent rounds will include superdelegates—party leaders and elected officials—who will continue voting until a nominee is chosen.