Joe Biden’s decision to step aside from the US presidential race, announced yesterday evening, was a bold display, even if it was essentially submitting to the inevitable. Democratic leaders had been increasingly persuading him to withdraw from the race, as Donald Trump, who was back on campaign grounds after an assassination attempt, publicly took pleasure in the potential of battling a dimming President.
“The ongoing objective was to put myself up for re-election,” said Biden on platform X, “however, I am convinced that both my party and the nation are better served if I withdraw and zone in on completing my presidential duties for the rest of my term.”
As anticipated, the President last night proposed his vice-president, Kamala Harris, as his successor for the November election. Yet, Biden’s withdrawal, which comes just a month away from the Democratic National Convention, presents significant hurdles for the Democratic Party. Although Harris’s ratings have been on the rise in recent days and she enjoys solid backing from female and ethnic minority party members, her earlier performances in polls have been discouraging.
Certain influential individuals within the party have recommended a contested selection. These individuals claimed that the issue plaguing Democrats was not the acceptance of their president’s inability to perform his role, but the obvious fact that he could no longer triumph over Trump post his disastrous debate with the Republican nominee.
Biden’s successful run as President–especially with the excellent state of the US economy–has shocked many. He has initiated significant investment plans for national infrastructure and introduced improvements in the healthcare sector, which have been well-received. Known to be the most Irish-oriented president, his deep-rooted pride for his heritage was evident in his trip to Ireland in the past year.
Republicans are now predicted to question his capability to serve as President until January, with additional queries about his health surfacing. Harris will also be questioned about her knowledge of his health issues and the timeline.
The decision was undoubtedly a hard one for a politician who had, in the past, contradicted poll results and commentators and continues to be the only Democrat to have bested Trump in an election.
His need to quit was defined purely because the stakes were incredibly towering. A potential second Trump term would be a significant threat to US democracy and its global alliances.
Biden’s action offers a chance for the Democrats to rally again in what seems to be an achievable race. It is no doubt a challenging and painful choice, yet it helps to establish his presidential legacy. It epitomizes his ultimate gesture of duty to his nation and its democratic principles.