In a turn of events in American politics, President Joe Biden has announced that he will not seek re-election in 2024. His announcement, shared on the media this Sunday afternoon, gives Donald Trump a significant edge in the upcoming presidential race.
Concerns about Biden’s ability to lead another campaign at the age of 81 came to a head after a televised debate with Trump on June 27 during which Biden displayed signs of cognitive fatigue. Following this, prominent Democrats, including former President Barack Obama, openly called for Biden to step aside.
In a message posted online, Biden stated:
“Serving as your president has been the greatest honor of my life. And while it has been my intention to run for re-election, I believe that the best course of action for my party and the country is for me to step aside and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”
Biden’s choice was also influenced by recent public blunders during events and appearances, such as at the NATO summit marking its 75th anniversary where he mistakenly referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as “President Putin” and his own Vice President Kamala Harris, as “Vice President Trump.”
The pressure reached its peak when a notable opinion piece by George Clooney, a supporter of the Democratic Party was published in the ‘New York Times’ suggesting that Biden might face challenges in his race against time.
The situation became more complex when Biden tested positive for COVID-19, leading to his recovery at his home in Delaware. Despite plans by the Democratic Party to secure his nomination through a virtual vote before the Chicago convention, Biden eventually decided to step back.
Biden’s withdrawal has triggered discussions about who will succeed him. Vice President Kamala Harris appears to be a contender and could potentially make history as the first female President of the United States. Nonetheless, other notable Democrats like California Governor Gavin Newsom and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer have also emerged as candidates.
This turn of events marks a moment in American politics as the Democratic Party faces uncertainty just months before the 2024 elections. The repercussions of this withdrawal could have far-reaching effects, on both the domestic political landscape and global power dynamics.
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First published in this link of The European Times.
