OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
President Joe Biden addressed the nation on Wednesday night after his stunning decision to drop out of the presidential election and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris.
During an Oval Office address to the nation, Biden told the American public that “the defense of democracy is more important than any title” and that he plans to serve the remainder of his term.
“I draw strength, and find joy, in working for the American people. But this sacred task of perfecting our union is not about me. It’s about you. Your families. Your futures. It’s about ‘We the People,'” Biden said.
“I have decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. That is the best way to unite our nation,” Biden added.
Biden, who said he plans to remain president until his term ends in January, returned to Washington on Tuesday after isolating at his Delaware beach house and recovering from COVID-19.
BIDEN: My record is so good, I’ve “decided” to drop out of the presidential race pic.twitter.com/PT2frQEPjx
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 25, 2024
Joe Biden on his decision not to seek reelection: “In the defense of democracy, which is at stake, I think it’s more important than any title.” pic.twitter.com/TMqrB78zwU
— Conservative War Machine (@WarMachineRR) July 25, 2024
“I’m going to call for Supreme Court reform because this is critical to our democracy, Supreme Court reform.” pic.twitter.com/J1lZ9AG7v9
— ForAmerica (@ForAmerica) July 25, 2024
Biden claims he’s going to cure cancer during his last few months in office pic.twitter.com/bm3HKOybCF
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 25, 2024
Anger and frustration mounted inside Biden’s inner circle as well as with the president himself amid a cacophony of calls for him to drop out after a dismal debate performance last month and a collapse in polling.
According to sources who spoke to NBC News, Biden felt “isolated, frustrated, and angry. He considered his allies to have betrayed him during a time of need. The network quoted someone within the inner circle who said of Biden: “He’s really pissed off.”
The outlet said Biden spent the weekend with several close advisers and family, but Vice President Kamala Harris, White House chief of staff Jeff Zients, and campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon were not among them.
The report also said that multiple advisers warned that Biden had no path to victory. “It became a no-win situation, a self-fulfilling prophecy,” former White House official Cedric Richmond said Sunday. Without money and support, “it’s impossible to win, and he’s always put country and party first.”
Loyalists to Biden also were frustrated that members of the Democratic Party called on him to step aside instead of rallying behind him, the outlet reported.
“Here is a man who has always talked about dignity,” NBC quoted what it said was a longtime Biden ally as saying. “And what was happening to him in a very public setting was undignified. Where does the president go to get his dignity back?”
CNN analyst Bakari Sellers said that he had been in contact with several Democratic lawmakers and operatives who were angry at the way Biden’s exit from the race played out, per Fox News.
“My phone is blowing up with people who are pissed off, and the reason they’re pissed off is because they feel like people from on high pushed Joe Biden out the door,” he said.
“A text that I just got from a friend was like, ‘If they pushed Joe Biden out the door, what are they going to do with Kamala Harris?’ They will probably try to push her, too,” he added.
Biden, who has not been seen in public since last week and certainly not since he announced via social media that he would end his reelection bid, triggered new health concerns and conspiracy theories when he called into now-VP Harris’ HQ on Monday to show his support for her candidacy.
“I know yesterday’s news was surprising, and it was hard for you to hear, but it was the right thing to do,” Biden told his former campaign staffers in Wilmington, Del. “I know it’s hard because you’ve poured your heart and soul into me to help us win this thing, help me get this nomination, help me win the nomination and then go on to win the presidency.”
Biden, who called from his home in Rehoboth Beach, Del., said, “I think we made the right decision.” He added: “The name has changed at the top of the ticket, but the mission hasn’t changed at all.”
“And by the way, I’m not going anywhere. I’m gonna be out there on the campaign with her, with Kamala. I’m going to be working like hell, both as a sitting president, getting legislation passed, as well as in campaigning,” Biden said, according to the New York Post. “You know what? We still need to save this democracy and Trump is still a danger to the community, he’s a danger to the nation.”
Biden added: “I’ll be doing whatever Kamala wants me or needs me to do.”
