During a modest gathering at a community college hall in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, not far from the White House, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris shared the stage, implying a significant shift in leadership. Their appearance was met with enthusiastic cheers from the crowd, fueled further by Springsteen’s “We take care of our own” playing through the speakers. Harris radiated joy, while Biden interacted with familiar faces.
The occasion was a talk on the White House’s programme to reduce prescription medicine prices. Harris lead the event, as the US president stood in support next to her. She commended Biden, expressing her admiration and appreciation for his work as a leader. The crowd responded enthusiastically with chants of “Go Joe” and gratitude towards him.
This public gathering marked Biden’s first interaction since he announced his decision to withdraw from the campaign, made during a tumultuous weekend at his Delaware beach house. His withdrawal was a turning point for the Democratic Party, made on Sunday, 21st July. It allowed Harris to take center stage, revitalizing the Democratic party’s optimism and goodwill, and causing an upheaval in Donald Trump’s campaign that no one saw coming.
Grasping the fast-paced dynamics of US politics, Harris also navigates complex issues including the Gazan conflict, knowing how vital it is not to lose political votes.
Biden’s disappearance from the national dialogue soon after the frantic days has been rather noticeable. Strangely enough, Trump continues to obsessively talk about him. Harris has been firm on focusing on the future, generating interest in who her vice presidential selection would be, which turned out to be Tim Walz.
Despite effectively facilitating these turns of events, Biden found himself in a peculiar position. While still being the president, he was part of an administration that was becoming history before its time had fully passed. There were hushed rumours that he was privately dealing with feelings of resentment towards the Democratic influencers who had coerced him into stepping aside. Primary amongst these were Barack Obama, Chuck Schumer, and his five-decade-long friend, Nancy Pelosi.
In a recent interview with CBS’s Robert Costa, conducted in the White House’s Treaty Room last Sunday, Biden hinted at his belief that he could have triumphed over Trump in the upcoming November elections. However, the current political climate made his standing virtually untenable. Biden feared that his campaign would be dominated by questions about Pelosi and his reasons for deciding to step away. Thus, he chose to remove himself from the race.
Re-emerging in the public’s gaze recently, Biden looked rejuvenated and voiced his thoughts with a vigour unseen since the taxing last days of June, when his age started showing. He showed gratitude towards Kamala Harris and fondly remembered his earliest days in politics. His words were an intentional reminder of his status as a stalwart in American politics. Despite the internal struggle, Biden looks forward to the reception that awaits him at the Democratic convention in Chicago next Monday, following his small rally in Maryland.