He announced on X that he will not accept the Democratic
nomination for the 2024 presidential race, instead choosing to focus on his
duties as President for the remainder of his term.
"My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the
nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder
of my term," Biden wrote.
He highlighted the significance of his initial decision in
2020 to select Harris as his running mate, calling it the best decision he has
made.
Biden's endorsement of Harris comes as he urges the
Democratic Party to unite in the effort to defeat former President Donald
Trump. "Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala
to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it's time to come together
and beat Trump. Let's do this," Biden stated.
This
endorsement positions Harris as the leading candidate for the Democratic
nomination, as the party prepares for the upcoming election.
Biden’s decision came as he has been isolating at his
Delaware beach house after being diagnosed with COVID-19 last week, huddling
with a shrinking circle of close confidants and family members about his
political future. Biden said he would address the nation later this week to
provide “detail” about his decision.
Now, Democrats have to urgently try to bring coherence to
the nominating process in a matter of weeks and persuade voters in a stunningly
short time that their nominee can handle the job and beat Trump. And for his
part, Trump must shift his focus to a new opponent after years of training his
attention on Biden.
The decision marks a swift and stunning end to Biden’s 52
years in electoral politics, as donors, lawmakers, and even aides expressed to
him their doubts that he could convince voters that he could plausibly handle
the job for another four years.
Harris,
59, appeared to be the natural successor, in large part because she is the only
candidate who can directly tap into the Biden campaign’s war chest, according
to federal campaign finance rules.
Biden’s backing helps clear the way for Harris, but a smooth
transition is by no means assured.
The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to be held
August 19-22 in Chicago, but the party had announced that it would hold a
virtual roll call to formally nominate Biden before in-person proceedings
begin.
It
remained to be seen whether other candidates would challenge Harris for the
nomination or how the party may need to adjust its rules again to smooth
Harris’ nomination on the floor.
