Biden calls for resignation for protection of US democracy
In the eleven-minute speech from the Oval Office, Biden praised his vice president Kamala Harris, whose nomination as the new presidential candidate of the Democratic Party he supported. "She is experienced, she is tough, she is capable. She has been an incredible partner of mine and a leader for our country," said the President about the 59-year-old.
This was Biden's first speech since he announced his withdrawal from the race in written statements on Sunday after weeks of intense debate about his mental fitness. In the speech, he described his withdrawal as the best way to achieve unity in the party and protect the democratic order.
Biden did not mention the Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump by name in the speech, but it was clear that his warning about threats to US democracy referred to his right-wing predecessor. Biden, in a passionate speech, described democracy as "the sacred duty of this country" and emphasized: "We must come together to protect it." The country is stronger than "any dictator or tyrant."
In the weeks following his chaotic and confusing performance in the television debate at the end of June, Biden had resisted calls from within the Democratic Party for him to withdraw from the race. Now, however, Biden said he had decided to "pass the torch to a new generation." This is the best way, he said, "to unite our nation."
There is a time and a place "for new voices, fresh voices, yes, younger voices," Biden continued. "And this is the time and this is the place." Biden, who had recently been in isolation due to a Corona infection, delivered the speech with a subdued voice. He did not address the debate about his fitness for the office.
Biden announced that in the last months of his term, which ends in January, he would continue to implement his plans. "In the next six months, I will focus on making progress as President," said the 81-year-old. He thus rejected the demands of the Republicans for him to give up the presidency prematurely after his withdrawal.
Among other things, Biden mentioned as his plans reducing living costs for families and further stimulating the US economy. In foreign policy, he named Putin's containment in the war against Ukraine and the end of the gas war as priorities. For Thursday, a meeting between Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was scheduled, who had given a speech before the US Congress the day before.
During his speech, Biden was surrounded by the largest part of his family in the Oval Office, including First Lady Jill Biden, his son Hunter, daughter Ashley, and several grandchildren. Jill Biden thanked, in a message on the online platform X, "those who never wavered" and "those who refused to doubt" - apparently a reference to those in the Democratic Party who had pressured Biden to withdraw.
Trump, who had advocated for overcoming extreme polarization in the country following the July 13th attack against him, ridiculed Biden after his Oval Office speech with: "Biden's dishonest Oval Office speech was barely understandable and sooo terrible!" wrote the 78-year-old in an online message.
During a campaign rally, Trump intensified his attacks on Harris, who was nominated as the Democratic Party's new presidential candidate. At a rally in the state of North Carolina, the Republican insulted the Vice President as a "radical left lunatic who will destroy our country."
- President Biden commended Vice President Kamala Harris, stating, "She has been an incredible partner of mine and a leader for our country."
- Biden's withdrawal from the race was announced on Sunday, a move aimed at protecting democratic order and promoting unity within the Democratic Party.
- In the absence of a direct mention, it was clear that Biden's warnings about threats to US democracy were directed towards former President Donald Trump.
- In the midst of calls for withdrawal, Biden decided to "pass the torch to a new generation," emphasizing the importance of unity for the nation.
- Despite Republican demands for his early resignation, Biden affirmed his commitment to implementing his plans in the remaining months of his term.
- Amidst discussion about his fitness, Biden chose not to address these concerns during his speech, focusing instead on his plans for reducing living costs and foreign policy priorities.
