For half a century in his official correspondence, Joe Biden has always ended with a trademark, distinctive signature. However, Sunday’s letter verifying his decision to step back from the intense 2024 US presidential race must have been the most challenging to pen.
This decision could be seen as one of his bravest and most influential political steps.
Ultimately, he conceded to the growing and undeniable call from top-ranking individuals and his confidants within the Democrat Party. His bid for presidency was no longer viable, solely because of the passage of time and his advancing years.
At 81, the arduous four years of serving in the White House had taken a disturbingly heavy toll on him. It had prevalently became clear to all following his notably distracted and weakening debate against Donald Trump in Atlanta late June.
Consequently, a sequence of surveys pointed to a potential dominant victory for Trump’s freshly reformed Republican Party. Influential donors hinted that they might withhold their financial support.
By Sunday, about 31 of Biden’s own Democrat colleagues had publicly suggested it was time for him to step aside. In a year dominated by harsh discussions about his ability to deliver effective and accurate public speeches, he gracefully admitted this in a brief yet elegant letter addressed to his compatriots, the American citizenry.
Reflecting on his administration’s achievements, he stated, “We triumphed over a once-in-a-century pandemic and the most debilitating economic downturn since the Great Depression.”
“We’ve upheld and safeguarded our democracy. We’ve revived and solidified our global alliances. Serving as your President has been the pinnacle of my life’s honours. Although my intention was to pursue re-election, it is in the best interest of my party and the nation for me to step down and focus entirely on delivering my presidential duties for the rest of my term.”
The news was not unexpected, but it signals another groundbreaking deviation from tradition. No incumbent American president has previously voluntarily withdrawn from the race this far into the campaign.
Barack Obama, who handpicked Biden as his vice president 16 years ago, stated on Sunday that this choice reaffirms Biden as “a patriot of the highest degree.”
The Democratic election is set to commence on the 19th of August in Chicago, where it was expected for Biden to have received the nomination from 3,939 delegates which plunges the party instantly into a state of disorder. Shortly following the sharing of Biden’s letter, he officially backed Kamala Harris, his vice-president, to take his position on the ticket.
Other party members are rallying for a nomination process to be open, with key figures such as Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer, California governor Gavin Newsom, current transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg, Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro and Illinois governor JB Pritzker being subjects of constant speculation in recent times.
Buttigieg from South Bend, Indiana, created a buzz recently with a sharp critique of JD Vance, Trump’s newly announced running-mate at the last convention which took place in Milwaukee.
It is expected that Harris would be leading the nomination, however, the selection of a new running mate, with the possibility of an all-female ticket of Harris and Whitmer, shall bring instant transformation to the Democratic rally.
Moments after Biden’s announcement, the Democratic National Committee disseminated a letter reinforcing its support for Harris. Party veterans Bill and Hillary Clinton also expressed support for her.
This choice taken by Biden will also cause a major shift in the Republican rally – particularly its candidate, Donald Trump. There were quiet talks that an assassination attempt against his life in Pennsylvania a week ago had instilled a profound urge for unity in the otherwise divisive Trump’s election campaign.
However, during his convention speech, which followed a detailed experience of narrowly evading bullets, transitioned into a lengthy reflection that further amplified a desolate outlook on the current state of America.
Speeches given during the Milwaukee convention clearly signalled the Republican strategy post-assassination attempt; presenting Trump as an indomitable and even predestined candidate against a weakened Biden.
Upon hearing about his adversary’s departure, Trump paid his respects through a social media post stating that Biden “was not capable of running for president, certainly not fit to serve, and never was.”
Biden’s drastic shift is likely to send shockwaves through the Republican strategists. The reaction from House speaker Mike Johnson was swift, posting on social media: “Joe Biden’s fitness for the Presidential race, or rather lack thereof, extends to his capacity to serve as President.” Moreover, there are anticipations that the Democrats are up for legal hurdles contesting the notion that Harris can instantly gain access to the campaign’s financial reserves.
This reshuffling may plunge the Democratic Party into immediate disarray and uncertain electoral waters, but on the brighter side, it could also spark a wave of hope and renewed enthusiasm at grassroots level, taking the electrifying fight for the election to a completely new landscape.
Lastly, Biden’s final act in his presidential race might just guarantee him a spot in the hallowed halls of Democratic history, as he prioritises the party’s needs over his own personal desires.