President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he is withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race, a historically rare decision that comes less than four months after he was declared the Democratic Party’s presumptive nominee. This decision follows a poor debate performance and mounting concerns about his age and mental acuity.
In a poignant letter addressed to “My Fellow Americans,” the 81-year-old president expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and cited the best interests of the country and his party as reasons for his exit. “It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve as your President,” Biden wrote. “And while it has been my intention to seek reflection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”
Biden’s departure from the race, coming just weeks after a lacklustre debate performance against former President Donald Trump, leaves the Democratic Party in a precarious position. The president’s performance at the debate, marked by moments of confusion and incoherence, had alarmed party leaders and donors. Additionally, Biden’s withdrawal follows an assassination attempt on Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania earlier this month.
With Biden’s exit, a scramble for the Democratic nomination is expected. Vice President Kamala Harris is seen as the leading candidate to take over. However, her approval ratings and the legal complexities surrounding the transfer of campaign funds could complicate her bid. Other potential contenders include California Governor Gavin Newsom, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and former First Lady Michelle Obama.
Biden’s decision comes amid revelations of significant internal party discord. Senior Democratic leaders, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, had reportedly expressed concerns about Biden’s ability to win re-election. Former President Barack Obama also reportedly questioned Biden’s prospects.
The president’s re-election bid, launched in April 2023, was aimed at securing another term despite waning support. Polls at the time indicated significant concerns about Biden’s age and mental fitness. Biden’s performance on the campaign trail did little to allay these concerns, with a New York Times/Siena College poll revealing that 70% of respondents felt Biden was too old for the presidency.
The turning point came during Biden’s June 27 debate with Trump, where his performance was widely criticized. This led to calls from prominent Democrats, including actor George Clooney, for Biden to step aside. Clooney, who had hosted a major fundraiser for Biden, lamented the president’s decline in a Times op-ed.
Biden’s decision to withdraw is unprecedented in recent American history. No sitting president has ever dropped out of a re-election race after officially declaring candidacy and winning the necessary delegates. While a few incumbents have opted not to seek a second term, such as Lyndon B. Johnson and Harry S. Truman, Biden’s withdrawal marks a unique moment in political history.
The 2024 Democratic National Convention, set to begin on August 19 in Chicago, will now be tasked with selecting a new nominee. The convention promises to be a pivotal event as the party navigates this unexpected turn of events.
