President Biden has stated that he will not seek reelection, marking a significant decision following increasing pressure from many within his own party. Biden has expressed his commitment to completing his current term, which concludes in 2025. "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President," he remarked. "And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to step down and concentrate solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term."
This announcement disrupts the upcoming presidential election shortly after Donald Trump and his supporters convened in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention.
Here's what you need to know about Biden's choice to step aside: Ultimately, Biden yielded to pressure from within his own party as the calls for him to withdraw from office increased among lawmakers and donors in recent days. Senator Joe Manchin (I-W.Va) became the latest prominent lawmaker to urge Biden to step down when he conveyed to CNN's Jake Tapper earlier on Sunday that the president should "pass the torch to a new generation." Almost immediately, Biden endorsed his vice president to be the next Democratic nominee. "Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year," Biden declared. "Democrats — it's time to come together and defeat Trump. Let's make it happen." His announcement follows Harris hosting a $2 million fundraiser this past Saturday in Cape Cod while Biden was recuperating from COVID-19 at his Delaware residence. It was anticipated that he would support her. Reflecting how many viewed her as his probable successor, Republicans at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee had already commenced criticizing her. Now that Biden has unequivocally backed Harris, the search is underway to identify who might become her running mate.
Biden's choice plunges the election into a turbulent new chapter, a level of upheaval not witnessed in a U.S. presidential campaign for over fifty years. Undoubtedly, it will bring a sense of relief to a significant number of Democratic officials and donors, a growing portion of whom had been pressuring the president to step aside.
However, it also ushers in the possibility of uncertainty. While Biden has thrown his support behind Harris as his replacement, onlookers are uncertain about how the transition will unfold from this juncture. Delegates formerly pledged to Biden retain the autonomy to support a different candidate instead of Harris, potentially setting the stage for a contested convention. While the prospect of a substantial number of delegates rebelling against Biden remains slim, it does introduce the possibility of heightened discord if Democrats clash over the selection of the new nominee.
Certain Democrats, like Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), have stressed that despite Harris being their preferred replacement, the party will conduct a "mini primary" before officially confirming her as the nominee. However, the question remains whether any Democrats would challenge her candidacy and risk jeopardizing their future political prospects by attempting to bypass the first Black and Asian-American woman to hold the vice presidency.
Even prior to Biden's announcement, Republicans had begun preparing for the scenario where Harris might succeed him. Trump's allies targeted the vice president in Milwaukee over the past week, particularly focusing on her role as Biden's "border czar" and linking her to the administration's immigration policies.
Trump has already shared his thoughts on the potential matchup with Harris, stating to CNN shortly after the president's decision that she would be a more easily defeatable opponent. Furthermore, during their initial joint rally in Michigan on Saturday, Trump's former running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), launched criticisms against Harris.
Nevertheless, Republicans also find themselves in unfamiliar territory, with their primary adversary suddenly withdrawn from the race and a new contender yet to be finalized. Trump and his allies will need to remain vigilant and strategize anew as they await the eventual Democratic nominee.
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