President Biden Withdraws from 2024 Race, Endorses Vice President Harris

Biden Drops Out Of 2024 Race In Bombshell Announcement: 'It Has Been The Greatest Honor Of My Life To Serve As Your President'

Concerns over age and health drive a sitting president to bow out of re-election for the first time in over 50 years. In a stunning turn of events, President Joe Biden has declared that he will not be running for re-election in the 2024 presidential race, causing a major shift in the political landscape. What Happened: As reported by CNN on Thursday, Biden announced his decision to withdraw from the race through a letter posted on his official account. He promised to provide more details in a forthcoming address to the nation. "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President," Biden wrote. "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." This decision follows weeks of speculation about the 81-year-old president's health and his capacity to campaign effectively against Trump and govern for another four years. It marks the first time in decades that a U.S. president has withdrawn from a reelection run, reminiscent of President Lyndon Johnson's decision in 1968, according to CNN. See Also: Political Strategist Says These Three Democrats Could Replace Biden In The Presidential Race -- And VP Harris Isn't One Of Them Biden's decision comes amid a highly charged political campaign that includes an attempt on Trump's life and dwindling support from congressional Democrats. This marks the end of a political career that has spanned half a century, with Biden entering as one of the youngest senators in U.S. history and exiting as its oldest president. Concerns about the president's mental faculties have been Biden's biggest political liability since his first run against Trump in 2020. A disastrous performance at the June 27 CNN debate brought these concerns to the forefront of political conversation, ultimately dooming his reelection bid. Why It Matters: Biden's decision to withdraw from the 2024 race has significant implications for the upcoming election. His withdrawal opens up the field for other potential Democratic candidates and could potentially alter the dynamics of the race. Furthermore, this decision brings to the forefront the issue of age and health in presidential elections, a topic that has been a point of contention in recent years. The impact of this decision on the Democratic party and the 2024 presidential race will be closely watched in the coming weeks and months. See Also: Majority Of Democrats View Kamala Harris As Strong Presidential Contender: Poll This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. Photo: Shutterstock Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

Biden Backs Harris For Democratic Nominee After Bowing Out Of 2024 Race: 'I Want To Offer My Full Support And Endorsement'

Biden announced his decision to withdraw from the race through a letter posted on his official account. In a surprising turn of events, President Joe Biden has announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. What Happened: Biden made his announcement via social media platform X, expressing his full support for Harris. He stated that choosing Harris as his vice president was his best decision as the party nominee in 2020. "My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term," the statement read. "My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. 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." This endorsement from Biden is expected to significantly ease the fundraising process for the Biden-Harris campaign. Harris now stands as the Democratic frontrunner. However, the structure of the Democratic National Convention remains uncertain. It's unclear whether Harris will receive the nomination outright or face competition in a more open convention. Why It Matters: Biden's decision to step down and endorse Harris is a significant development in the 2024 presidential race. This move could potentially streamline the Democratic nomination process, giving Harris a clear path to the nomination. However, the uncertainty surrounding the structure of the Democratic National Convention could present challenges. If Harris is to face competition in a more open convention, it could potentially divide the party and complicate the nomination process. On the other hand, if she receives the nomination outright, it could strengthen the party's unity and improve her chances in the general election. This development could also have implications for the Biden-Harris campaign's fundraising efforts. Biden's endorsement could attract more donors, easing the fundraising process. However, it remains to be seen how this will play out in the coming months. In any case, this announcement marks a significant shift in the 2024 presidential race, setting the stage for an interesting election season. Read Next Political Strategist Says These Three Democrats Could Replace Biden In The Presidential Race -- And VP Harris Isn't One Of Them This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. Photo: Shutterstock Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs