A deluge of supports from leading Democrats has trailed United States (U.S.) President Joe Biden’s endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for nomination as Democratic Party’s standard bearer in the November election.
Biden over the weekend announced his withdrawal from the race, nominating Harris to run. He said it was in the best interests of the Democratic Party and the country.
In a second tweet after stepping down from the race, Biden said: “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. 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.”
Biden’s former Republican challenger, Donald Trump, in a post on X, said the President “is the worst president in the history of our country. He goes down as the single worst president by far in the history of our country”.
Among leading Democrats who endorsed Harris were former President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Elizabeth Warren.
Clinton and his wife, Hillary, in a statement posted on X, said they were honored to join the President in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do whatever to support her.
The Clintons said: “Now is the time to support Kamala Harris and fight with everything we’ve got to elect her.”
Also, Pelosi thanked Biden for his decades of public service and called him “one of the most consequential Presidents in American history”.
Pelosi had served as a sounding board for those anxious about the president’s viability and warned the president privately that he was dragging down other Democrats.
Following Biden’s decision to stand aside, she wrote: “God blessed America with Joe Biden’s greatness and goodness.”
Senator Warren asserted that Biden’s presidency has been transformational.
“He accomplished more in the past four years — to bring back jobs, stand up to big corporations, and build an economy that works for all of us — than we have been able to get done in the last 40. He deserves full credit for beating Donald Trump in 2020, and his selfless decision today gives us our best shot at doing it again in 2024.
“I endorse Kamala Harris for President. She is a proven fighter who has been a national leader in safeguarding consumers and protecting access to abortion. As a former prosecutor, she can press a forceful case against allowing Donald Trump to regain the White House. We have many talented people in our party, but Vice President Harris is the person who was chosen by the voters to succeed Joe Biden if needed. She can unite our party, take on Donald Trump, and win in November,” Senator Warren said.
Harris, in accepting her nomination, asserted that she would seek the Democratic presidential nomination, after Joe Biden endorsed her as his successor.
She said: “I am honoured to have the President’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination. Over the past year, I have travelled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party — and unite our nation – to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda.
“We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win.”
Former President Barack Obama said Biden has been one of America’s most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner.
He noted that after stepping down from the contest, Americans have again been reminded that “he’s a patriot of the highest order”.
“Sixteen years ago, when I began my search for a vice president, I knew about Joe’s remarkable career in public service. But what I came to admire even more was his character — his deep empathy and hard-earned resilience; his fundamental decency and belief that everyone counts.
“Since taking office, President Biden has displayed that character again and again. He helped end the pandemic, created millions of jobs, lowered the cost of prescription drugs, passed the first major piece of gun safety legislation in 30 years, made the biggest investment to address climate change in history, and fought to ensure the rights of working people to organise for fair wages and benefits. Internationally, he restored America’s standing in the world, revitalised NATO, and mobilised the world to stand up against Russian aggression in Ukraine.”
Obama said he knew Joe has never backed down from a fight, but “for him to look at the political landscape and decide that he should pass the torch to a new nominee is surely one of the toughest in his life.
“But I know he wouldn’t make this decision unless he believed it was right for America. It’s a testament to Joe Biden’s love of country — and a historic example of a genuine public servant once again putting the interests of the American people ahead of his own that future generations of leaders will do well to follow.”
Also, Senator Bernie Sanders noted that Biden has served The U.S. with honour and dignity.
“As the first president to ever walk on a picket line with striking workers, he has been the most pro-working class president in modern American history. Thank you, Mr. President, for all you’ve done,” Sanders said.
In announcing his exit from the race, Biden posted on his X hand: “It has been the greatest honour 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.”
Reflecting on the challenges faced during his presidency, Biden expressed gratitude to the Americans for their resilience and support.
“Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We’ve protected and preserved our democracy. And we’ve revitalised and strengthened our alliances around the world,” he said.
Biden expressed his appreciation to Vice President, Kamala Harris, calling her “an extraordinary partner in all this work”.
President Biden highlighted the achievements of his administration over the past three and a half years.
“Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We’ve made historic investments in rebuilding our nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable healthcare to a record number of Americans,” he said.
He also emphasised the progress made in other critical areas, including veterans’ care, gun safety, and climate legislation.
“We’ve provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world.”
Biden remains optimistic about the country’s future, saying: “I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can’t do – when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America.”
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
