US President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from his re-election bid sent shockwaves through the political landscape. In a candid interview, Biden explained that his primary motivation was to prevent a potentially divisive intraparty struggle that could distract Democrats from their ultimate goal: defeating Donald Trump in the upcoming November election.
Addressing concerns about his health and fitness for office, the 81-year-old Biden stated unequivocally that he had “no serious problem” with his health. He attributed his lackluster performance in a recent debate to being unwell at the time, dismissing any suggestions regarding his age or mental sharpness as factors in his decision.
Despite stepping aside for the presidency, Biden pledged his full support to Vice-President Kamala Harris, stating his commitment to campaign actively on her behalf. “We must, we must, we must defeat Trump,” he emphasized in an interview with CBS News, underscoring the urgency of a united front against the former president.
Biden elaborated that had he persisted with his campaign, the focus would have shifted inwards, potentially harming the broader Democratic agenda. “A number of my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate thought that I was going to hurt them in the races,” Biden admitted. “And I was concerned if I stayed in the race, that would be the topic… and I thought it’d be a real distraction.” This concern stemmed from the apprehension that internal party debates about his candidacy would overshadow the crucial task of mobilizing against Trump.
Reports circulated suggesting that former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi played a significant role in nudging Biden towards this decision, particularly following his widely criticized debate performance against Trump on June 27th. While Pelosi has not explicitly confirmed these reports, she has not denied them either, adding fuel to the speculation about internal party pressure.
During the pre-recorded CBS interview where Biden announced his withdrawal, he appeared more composed and articulate than he had during the live debate, although he did misspeak on a few occasions. He reiterated that his debate performance was marred by illness, adding to previous mentions of jet lag and fatigue as contributing factors. Ultimately, on July 21st, amidst mounting pressure, Biden made the decisive announcement to end his campaign.
Interestingly, the anticipated scramble for the Democratic nomination did not materialize. Party support swiftly consolidated behind Vice-President Harris, who, notably, has consistently polled better than Biden, suggesting a strong foundation for her candidacy. Biden himself acknowledged his initial vision when he first ran for the White House in 2020, stating, “When I ran the first time, I thought of myself as being a transition president.” Reflecting on his age, he added, “I can’t even say how old I am. It’s hard for me to get it out of my mouth.”
President Biden seen biking through Gordons Pond State Park in Delaware, highlighting his active lifestyle amidst health questions.
Broader Election Context
The political landscape extends beyond Biden’s withdrawal. Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance has voiced support for a large-scale deportation plan targeting undocumented immigrants if he and Trump are elected. Vance stated a Trump administration would aim to deport 1 million people initially, against an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants currently in the US. He clarified that past remarks about additional votes for parents were merely a “thought experiment,” not a policy proposal.
Meanwhile, Vice-President Kamala Harris, campaigning in Nevada, a crucial swing state with a large hospitality and tourism sector, endorsed the idea of eliminating taxes on tips, mirroring a proposal also supported by Trump. This highlights the bipartisan appeal of certain economic policies in key electoral battlegrounds.
Adding to the election’s heated rhetoric, Donald Trump, following criticism about inflated crowd size claims, accused the Harris campaign of circulating a “fake photo” of a rally. However, independent media and eyewitness accounts confirmed large turnout at the Detroit event for the Democratic nominees.
Biden’s Stark Warning About Trump
In the CBS interview, Biden revisited his decision to initially run against Trump, triggered by the violent Charlottesville rally in 2017 involving far-right activists. He accused Trump of emboldening extremist groups, stating, “Every other time the Ku Klux Klan has been involved they wore hoods so they’re not identified. Under his presidency, they came out of those woods with no hoods, knowing they had an ally.”
Biden also voiced serious concerns about the potential aftermath of the upcoming election, expressing a lack of confidence in a peaceful transfer of power if Harris defeats Trump. He warned of potential violence should Trump lose, emphasizing Trump’s rhetoric: “‘If we lose, it’ll be a bloodbath’.” Biden asserted, “He’s a genuine danger to American security,” highlighting the stakes of the election beyond typical political differences.
While Trump’s campaign has clarified his “bloodbath” comment referred to the economy, specifically the auto industry, critics point to his broader pattern of inflammatory language and unsubstantiated claims of election fraud. Trump continues to insist, without evidence, that the 2020 election was stolen and has hinted at pardoning individuals involved in the January 6th Capitol riot.
Despite stepping down from the presidential race, Biden affirmed his commitment to campaigning for Harris, mentioning discussions with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro about campaign events in Pennsylvania, his birth state. “I’m going to be campaigning in other states as well. And I’m going to do whatever Kamala thinks I can do to help most,” he concluded, reinforcing his dedication to party unity and the broader Democratic cause.
Dividing stripe used by BBC news to separate different sections of news content online.
Another dividing stripe used by BBC news to separate different sections of news content online.
Yet another dividing stripe used by BBC news to separate different sections of news content online.
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