WASHINGTON — Democrats on Sunday hailed President Joe Biden’s decision decision to withdraw presidential race, with some quickly declaring they supported his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as the up-to-date Democratic nominee, four months before the November election.
Democrats in Congress praised Biden for his accomplishments and passing the torch to a up-to-date generation. Democrats for weeks of pressure on the president to back down from the race following disastrous debate on June 27 which shook their faith in the possibility of defeating Donald J. Trump in a rematch.
“While it was my intention to seek re-election, I believe it would be in the best interests of my party and the country for me to resign and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term,” Biden wrote in the one-page letter, which he posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Shortly after the decision was announced, Biden endorsed Harris in a separate social media post.
In a statement, Harris said she was honored by Biden’s endorsement and that her “intention is to win this nomination.”
“We have 107 days until Election Day,” she said. “We will fight together. And together we will win.”
Clintons Endorse Harris
Describing Trump as a threat to democracy and Recent Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunityFormer President Bill Clinton and 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said in a joint statement that “now is the time to support Kamala Harris and fight with all our might to elect her.”
Former President Barack Obama he said in a statement that Biden is a “patriot of the highest order.”
“I also know that Joe has never backed down from a fight,” Obama said. “For him to look at the political landscape and decide to pass the torch to a new candidate is certainly one of the most difficult decisions of his life.”
Obama did not endorse Harris but said he had “extremely strong confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process that will produce an outstanding candidate.”
Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, said in a statement that she supports Harris and believes the vice president can defeat Trump.
“She is exactly the woman we need to prosecute Donald Trump, save American democracy, lead the fight to restore abortion rights, and build an economy that puts working people — not billionaires — first,” Murray said. “I will do everything in my power to help elect Kamala Harris as our next president.”
If Harris is formally nominated at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month, she would become the first black woman and the first person of South Asian descent to become a major party’s presidential candidate.
Pennsylvania politicians reacted Sunday to Biden’s decision to end his bid for a second term
Florida Democratic Party Representative Kathy Castor said in a statement that she has full confidence in Harris as the up-to-date Democratic presidential candidate.
“The stakes in this election are high,” she said. “She is a warrior who fights for reproductive freedom, civil rights, lowering costs for families and lifting up all Americans.”
Republicans have called on Biden to resign, arguing that since he is withdrawing from the race, he is not fit to continue serving in the Oval Office.
“If Joe Biden is not fit to run for president, then he is not fit to serve as president,” House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana wrote on Channel X.
Montana Republican Steve Daines, who chairs the GOP Senate campaign, said in a statement that he was calling on Biden to resign due to “concerns for our country’s national security.”
“Being president is the hardest job in the world, and I no longer have confidence that Joe Biden will be able to effectively fulfill his duties as Commander in Chief,” Daines said.
Trump posted a highly critical statement on his social media site Truth Social.
“Corrupt Joe Biden was unfit to run for president and is certainly unfit to serve – and never was!” he wrote.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell stopped compact of calling on Biden to resign as president, but criticized his past actions in a brief written statement.
“For four years, Americans have struggled with historic inflation at home, chaos at the border, and weak leadership internationally,” the Kentucky Republican wrote. “Our country is less prosperous and less secure than it was in January 2021. We cannot afford another four years of failure.”
“Putting country above ego”
Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas, who became the first Democrat in Congress to call on Biden to resign, said in a statement that the president “puts country above ego in a way Donald Trump never could.”
He added that while Harris “is clearly the leading candidate, we should be open to all talented individuals who want to be considered.”
Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse said in a statement that he applauds Biden’s decision to end his campaign for a second term.
“Let no one underestimate how difficult this was,” he said.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries praised the president for his accomplishments, but neither endorsed Harris.
“Joe Biden has not only been a great president and a great legislative leader, he is a truly incredible human being,” Schumer said. “His decision was obviously not easy, but he has once again put his country, his party and our future first.”
Democratic Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado, who earlier this month expressed concerns that Trump could win in a landslide, thanked Biden in a social media post for withdrawing because “it gave us a chance to defeat Donald Trump and give our children the future they deserve.”
Maryland Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen said in a statement that Biden “has always put our country first and in making this decision, he has once again done what he believes is best for the future of our democracy.”
Senator Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat, said in a statement that he respects Biden’s decision to resign.
“While there must be an orderly process and the decision ultimately rests in the hands of the DNC delegates, I believe Vice President Harris has the experience, energy and determination to lead our country,” he said.
Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith said in a statement that she “proudly and enthusiastically” supports Harris, “who I believe is the best person in this moment to unite the Democratic Party and lead us to victory.”
“The job is not done,” Smith said. “In fact, it is just the beginning.”
