Democrats praise Biden’s decision not to seek reelection as selfless. Republicans call on him to resign

WASHINGTON — Democratic lawmakers praised President Joe Biden historic decision on Sunday not to seek reelection, praising him for putting his country and his party before himself. Republicans have called on him to resign, saying that if he is unable to seek another term in office, he will not be eligible to serve as president.

Biden’s announcement came after more than two weeks of Democrats urging him to drop out of the race. Nearly three dozen lawmakers have publicly called on him to end his reelection bid. Others have privately raised concerns about the consequences for lower-ranking Democrats if he stays in the race. When the president addressed those concerns, Democrats have called it a selfless move.

“Joe Biden has not only been a great president and a great legislative leader, he is a truly incredible human being. His decision was obviously not easy, but he has once again put his country, his party and our future first,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement.

Republicans seized on Biden’s penniless debate performance last month to criticize him as unfit to serve another four years in office. Now that he’s out of the running, many have said he should resign from office as well.

“If Joe Biden is not fit to run for president, he is not fit to serve as president. He must resign from office immediately. November 5th cannot come soon enough,” House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a statement.

“If the Democratic Party has deemed Joe Biden ineligible to seek re-election, then he is certainly ineligible to control our nuclear codes. Biden must resign immediately,” Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., wrote on Twitter.

Biden’s former campaign chief Ron Klain urged Democrats to quickly unite around Vice President Kamala Harris as Biden’s natural successor, saying on social media that “it’s time to end the fantasy political games and unite around the only female veteran of a national campaign.”

“Let’s be realistic and win in November,” Klain said.

But many Democrats have not mentioned Harris in their initial statements. Some are calling for an open process to choose the next Democratic presidential candidate.

Schumer and Senator Dick Durbin, the two most senior Democrats in the Senate, have not expressed support for Harris.

“Now, the Democratic Party must unite around a candidate who will defeat Donald Trump and get America moving in the right direction. I will do everything I can to help in that effort,” Durbin said.

Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas, the first House Democrat to call on Biden to resign, said, “President Biden is once again standing up for America, putting country above ego in a way Donald Trump never could.” He said that while Harris is clearly the leading candidate to succeed Biden, “we should be open to all talented people who want to be considered.”

However, many Democrats were quick to support Harris.

The leaders of the two largest Democratic caucuses in the House, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, chairwoman of the left-leaning Congressional Progressive Caucus, and Annie Kuster, chairwoman of the moderate New Democrat Coalition, endorsed Harris. The endorsements were part of an effort by congressional Democrats to quickly endorse a candidate and try to put aside weeks of intraparty tensions that marked the aftermath of the June 27 debate.

“Millions of Americans voted for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the primaries. Vice President Harris has proven time and again that she can go after Donald Trump and campaign vigorously for Democrats in the lower tier,” Jayapal said in a statement.

The Congressional Black Caucus, through its political action committee, has also endorsed Harris as the next Democratic candidate. The Black Caucus has stood by Biden since last month’s debate, even as many other Democrats called for him to step down.

Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., warned that an open nomination process would be harmful.

“Anyone who entertains the idea of ​​romantic freedom at the Democratic National Convention is living in a dangerous fantasy land and is demanding a continuation of the chaos and confusion that has gripped Washington,” he said.

At least 10 Democratic senators quickly expressed support for Harris, including Patty Murray of Washington, Mark Warner of Virginia, Chris Murphy of Connecticut and Mazie Hirono of Hawaii.

Reaction to Biden’s announcement has reverberated across the country and the world.

Former President Barack Obama paid tribute to his vice president of eight years.

“Joe Biden was one of America’s most important presidents, and he was a dear friend and partner of mine. Today, we were also reminded — once again — that he was a patriot of the highest order,” Obama said.

On the international stage, Israeli President Isaac Herzog “sincerely thanked” Biden for supporting the people of Israel throughout his long career.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk appreciated the arduous decision Biden had to make and said that “Poland, America and the world are safer, and democracy is stronger” thanks to the US president.

American voters are also eagerly awaiting Biden’s decision, as polls have shown that nearly two-thirds of Democrats believe Biden should drop out of the presidential race.

David Strong, a 64-year-old retiree and Democratic voter from Denver who was vacationing in Portland, Oregon, said he was relieved Biden was dropping out of the race after a debate performance he described as “shocking and terrible.”

“I thought it was the best thing to do,” he said. “I just didn’t feel like it was our best shot at defeating Trump.”

On Governors Island in New York Harbor, word of Biden’s announcement spread quickly among picnickers.

“I feel sorry for him,” said Jess Carter, a 33-year-old software engineer and Democrat. “But it seems like the right move.”

“I think it was a good decision. I wish he had done it sooner,” said David Gruber, a 35-year-old marketing consultant and Democrat from Brooklyn.

On the prospect of Harris taking Biden’s place, Gruber said: “She worries me. But if she gets elected, I’ll vote for her.”