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In a surprising move, President Joe Biden announced Sunday that he will not seek reelection, bringing to an end his long and storied political career four months before the upcoming Election Day.
Biden, 81, has struggled to overcome growing concerns within his party about his reelection prospects and his chances of running against Donald Trump in November.
“While it has always been my intention to seek re-election, I have concluded that it is in the best interest of my party and our country to step down and focus on the remainder of my term as President,” Biden said in a letter posted on X.com. He also said he would provide more details about his decision in an address to the nation later this week.
In his letter, Biden thanked Vice President Kamala Harris for “being an extraordinary partner.”
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
Biden’s decision to drop out of the race on the eve of the convention and months before the election is unprecedented in modern history. The last incumbent president to give up his reelection bid was Lyndon Johnson, whose controversial expansion of the Vietnam War split the Democratic Party. However, Johnson’s announcement of his withdrawal from the race was in March 1968, eight months before the election.
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Vice President Kamala Harris, the first female vice president and a woman of color, is seen as a strong contender and has strong support among African Americans, a key demographic group for the Democratic Party.
Democratic concerns
Concerns about Biden’s health and abilities have persisted throughout his presidency, peaking after his June 27 debate with Trump. His poor performance, combined with his falling poll numbers, heightened concerns within the party about his ability to win in November.
Biden spoke with a hoarse voice and often struggled to finish his thoughts or convey his message effectively during the debate, which was watched by 51 million people. He later attributed his performance to fatigue and a cold and urged the country not to judge him for one bad performance.
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Despite Biden’s pleas, the debate performance intensified calls from Democratic lawmakers for Biden to step down.
According to multiple reports, former President Obama said that after the debate, Biden’s path to victory has become slim and he should “seriously consider whether he can continue to run.”
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