President Joe Biden spoke from the Oval Office Wednesday night to address why he decided to drop out of the presidential race and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris.
In his first public address since his announcement Sunday, Biden, 81, said while his record as president could afford him a second term, nothing could come in the way of “protecting American democracy,” including personal ambition.
“This sacred task of perfecting our Union is not about me, but about you, your families, your futures. It’s about ‘We the People,’” Biden said in the 10-minute address.
Biden became the first U.S. president to announce he would not be seeking a second term in office since 1968 when Lyndon B. Johnson announced he would not seek reelection during the growing political unrest over the Vietnam War.
“I revere this office,” Biden said. “But I love my country more.”
Biden also noted that he believes the country is at an inflection point, “one of those rare moments in history when the decisions we make now will determine the fate of our nation and the world for decades to come.”
Echoing a key point he made on the campaign trail, Biden said that the 2024 election is between two stark choices.
“America is going to have to choose between moving forward and moving backward, between hope and hate, unity and division,” he said.
Biden said that when he was first elected, he promised to always level with the American public and tell the truth.
“The truth is that the sacred cause of this country is larger than any one of us,” Biden continued. “We must unite to protect the cause of American democracy itself.”
As Biden announced earlier this week, he said the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation of leaders within the Democratic party. This announcement came after growing concerns about Biden’s age, with more than 35 members of Congress calling for Biden to step aside as the Democratic nominee last week.
“There is a time and a place for long experience in public life,” Biden said. “But, there’s also a time for new voices, fresh voices, yes, younger voices. That time and place is now.”
Biden said throughout the next six months, he will be focused on continuing his job as president. He recommitted to continuing the key initiatives of his administration, supporting his Cancer Moonshot initiative, calling out hate and extremism, and protecting Americans from gun violence and the climate crisis.
The president also reaffirmed his commitment to America’s allies, pledging to keep NATO strong and to support Ukraine in its war against Russian aggression. He said he is “going to keep working to end the war in Gaza,” in addition to calling for Supreme Court reform.
Biden described Harris as “experienced, tough, and capable.” He also said the choice of America’s next president is now in the hands of the people.
Biden said that it has been the honor of his life to serve the U.S. in elected office over the last 50 years.
“Nowhere else on Earth could a kid with a stutter from modest beginnings in Scranton, Pennsylvania and Claymont, Delaware one day sit behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office as President of the United States,” Biden said. “But, here I am.”
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a press briefing on Wednesday that Biden has “no regrets” about his timeline both in the race for the Democratic nomination and after his decision to withdraw. Additionally, Jean-Pierre emphasized that Biden’s decision to withdraw is not related to his health.
