President Joe Biden on Wednesday made his first public appearance since ending his bid for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination over the weekend. In a televised address from the Oval Office, Biden framed his decision to step aside as a matter of protecting democracy. “I revere this office, but I love my country more.
It’s been the honor of my life to serve as your President, but in the defense of democracy, which is at stake, I think is more important than any title,” said the president. “I draw strength and I find joy in working for the American people, but this sacred task of perfecting our union, it’s not about me, it’s about you, your families, your futures,” he continued, before emphasizing the importance of the upcoming election: “I ran for President four years ago because I believed and still do, that the soul of America was a stake. The very nature of who we are is at stake.
” He added: “The great thing about America is here, kings and dictators do not rule, the people do. History is in your hands, the powers in your hands, the idea of America lies in your hands. You just have to keep faith.
Keep the faith, and remember who we are.” On Sunday, Biden issued a public letter on his official social media accounts, writing that “it has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term.
” Shortly after making the announcement, the president threw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor to lead the 2024 Democratic ticket. “My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President,” Biden wrote on social media. “And it’s been the best decision I’ve made.
Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.
” Editor’s picks Every Awful Thing Trump Has Promised to Do in a Second Term The 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time The 50 Worst Decisions in Movie History Harris has managed to quickly coalesce the support of prominent Democratic lawmakers and a majority of convention delegates behind her bid. By Monday night, at least 2,579 delegates — scores more than the 1,976 needed to secure the nomination — had pledged their support to the vice president, making her the presumptive nominee. “When I announced my campaign for president, I said I intended to go out and earn this nomination,” Harris wrote in a Monday statement.
“Tonight, I am proud to have secured the broad support needed to become our party’s nominee,” she said, adding: “I look forward to formally accepting the nomination soon.” Trending Ava Kris Tyson Steps Away From 'All Things MrBeast' Amid Transphobic Attacks Did Katy Perry Release the Worst Comeback Song of All Time? Inside 'A Complete Unknown': How Timothée Chalamet Became Bob Dylan Watch Stephen Colbert Attempt to Explain the 'Memeification Of Kamala Harris' Harris will likely be officially confirmed before the Democratic National Convention, which is scheduled to begin on August 19, in a virtual roll call vote sometime in the coming weeks. In the meantime, Harris is raising astronomical amounts in small-dollar donations, and vetting potential candidates who could fill the vice presidential slot on her presumptive ticket.
Some of the names under consideration include Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear..
