Joe Biden explains decision to quit Presidential race during White House address

US President Joe Biden on Wednesday explained his sudden departure from the Presidential poll, during his official address from the Oval Office. Biden said he passed the torch to a new generation. The 81-year-old announced on July 21 that he won’t be seeking reelection, obliging to pressure from fellow Democrats, who expressed doubts over the President’s mental and physical acumen to run the country for another four-year term.

However, the US President said he will complete his full term and serve his countrymen.

“I have decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation,” he said from the Oval Office. “That is the best way to unite our nation.”

Nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy.

And that includes personal ambition.

So 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.

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 25, 2024

This was Biden’s first public address after he dropped out of the race to determine the next POTUS.

“The defense of democracy is more important than any title,” he said. “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’.”

While he had emerged as the clear choice of Democrats even a few months ago, a debate with Donald Trump, the Republican Presidential nominee, in June, sent shockwaves across the Biden’s party ranks. His performance was termed underwhelming and soon the support waned.

Meanwhile, Vice-President Kamala Harris, who received endorsement from Biden and several top Democrats and is now the presumptive candidate from the party for the top post, has since raised more than USD 126 million for her campaign.

In the letter announcing his decision to pull out of the race, the US President said while it had always been his intention to run for a second term, he left in the best interest of his party and country. “I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term,” POTUS said.

Biden will now work to lower costs for families, boost the US economy and defend personal freedoms and civil rights, from the right to vote to the right to choose, reports said.