U.S. President Joe Biden has decided to step down from pursuing the nomination for a second term as president.
This comes after weeks of speculation that Biden was considering whether or not to seek reelection.
After the disastrous June 27 debate performance against Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump, and after weeks of delay, Biden announced in a formal letter that he will not be running for president for a second term and that he would pass the nomination over to Vice President Kamala Harris, who has reportedly secured enough delegates to secure the democratic nomination.
The Democratic National Convention (DNC) will play a crucial role in determining the nominee, and the delegates previously pledged to Biden will be free to support other candidates.
Biden’s decision not to seek a second term in the White House has significant implications for both the Democratic Party and Vice President Harris. This decision opens the field for other Democratic contenders, creating an unprecedented scramble to nominate a new candidate for the 2024 election.
With Biden stepping down, the Democratic Party now faces the challenge of selecting a new nominee. Although Harris is a prominent figure and the natural successor, other potential candidates are expected to emerge. These include California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has signaled his intention to run, and several other prominent Democrats who might also seek the nomination.
As Biden endorsed Harris as his successor, she becomes a leading candidate for the Democratic nomination. However, Harris’s relatively low approval ratings compared to other potential candidates could influence the party’s decision.
Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 race has set the stage for a highly competitive Democratic primary, with Harris positioned as a key contender but facing significant competition from other Democrats aiming to secure the nomination.
The fact that Biden shared his decision not to run via social media post on X, and not in a live or pre-recorded interview telling the American people himself, demonstrates just how feeble Biden is or at least represents a feeble ending to this disheartening drama.