President Joe Biden Drops Out of 2024 Presidential Race
Biden faced a reckoning over his age and his ability to defeat
WEB July 21 2024 at 608 pm President Biden called Vice President Harris on Sunday to tell her directly.
President Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race on Sunday following a nearly monthlong effort to launch his re-election campaign, aides said, bowing to concerns about his age and the political headwinds facing Democrats.
The decision came abruptly, just hours after Biden had aides reach out to allies to try to shore up support. Biden had been scheduled to deliver a speech on the economy in Philadelphia on Thursday, but that event was postponed.
Biden's withdrawal is a major setback for Democrats, who are facing a difficult political environment in the midterm elections. The party is defending a narrow majority in the Senate and a slight edge in the House.
In a statement, Biden said he had "come to the conclusion that I am not the best person to lead this country at this time."
"I am confident that under new leadership, Democrats will continue to build on the progress we have made and deliver on the promises we have made to the American people," Biden said.
Biden's decision is a reminder of the challenges facing aging leaders in an era of increasing political polarization. Biden, who is 79, would have been 82 if he had won a second term.
Biden's withdrawal is likely to set off a scramble among Democrats to find a new nominee. Vice President Kamala Harris is seen as the most likely successor, but she has faced her own share of criticism.
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