US President Joe Biden announced he stepped back from the presidential race to prevent potential intraparty distractions and to focus on the imperative of defeating Donald Trump in the upcoming election. In his first interview since his withdrawal, the 81-year-old president reassured that he has “no serious problem” with his health, attributing his debate struggles to recent illness rather than age-related concerns.
Biden expressed his commitment to support Vice President Kamala Harris, stating he will assist her in whatever capacity she believes is most beneficial. “We must, we must, we must defeat Trump,” he emphasized in a discussion with the media.
Reflecting on his decision, Biden noted that staying in the race would lead the election atmosphere “down to the wire,” potentially hurting Democratic colleagues in their respective races. He voiced apprehension that media focus would shift to his candidacy rather than vital Democratic issues.
Originally running as a transition candidate in 2020, he acknowledged the challenges posed by public perceptions of his age and health. “It’s hard for me to get it out of my mouth,” he stated regarding his age.
Concerns over Biden’s stamina for another term have been heightened due to his lukewarm debate performances. Although he faced criticism during the June debate, Biden appeared more articulate during the recent interview, attributing past performance factors to various health issues.
As pressures mounted, Biden officially withdrew from the race on July 21. Support quickly consolidated around Vice President Harris, who is currently leading in opinion polls.
In Other US Election News:
- Ohio senator JD Vance, vying for the Republican vice-presidential nomination, defended plans for deporting undocumented migrants if elected with Trump.
- Vance stated that a potential Trump administration could begin with deporting 1 million undocumented individuals, acknowledging the persistent figure of approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants in the country.
- The senator downplayed previous comments suggesting additional voting privileges for parents as a mere “thought experiment,” not a formal policy stance.
- In an economic proposal, Vice President Kamala Harris expressed support for eliminating taxes on tips, a measure resonating with voters in Nevada’s hospitality and tourism sector.
In the interview, Biden recalled the motivation behind his initial campaign against Trump, highlighting events in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, that galvanized his decision to run. He criticized Trump for emboldening extremist groups and underscored concerns over the potential lack of a peaceful transition of power following the election. He emphasized the risk of violence if Trump were to lose, stating, “He means what he says.”
Biden plans to campaign actively for Harris and has already discussed strategies for engaging with voters in Pennsylvania, a state with strong personal ties due to his roots in Scranton.
