Obama thanks Biden - no support yet for Harris
In a statement, former President Barack Obama thanks his former Vice President Joe Biden for leaving the Presidential race. The withdrawal was certainly one of the most difficult decisions in Biden's entire life, Obama stated. However, what he doesn't write is even more intriguing.
Former US President Barack Obama has praised Joe Biden's withdrawal from the Presidential race - but has not publicly endorsed Kamala Harris as a replacement candidate. In a statement, he calls Biden one of the most significant Presidents in American history and a "beloved friend and partner" for him.
However, Obama's support for Harris as a replacement candidate for the Democrats remains unclear. "We will navigate uncharted waters in the coming days. But I have extraordinary faith that our party's leaders will be able to create a process from which an outstanding candidate will emerge," the statement reads.
The withdrawal was certainly one of the most difficult decisions in Biden's entire life, Obama added. "But I know he wouldn't make this decision if he didn't believe it was right for America." Biden had every right to run for re-election based on his outstanding record of success.
However, a report by the "Washington Post" speaks a different language. According to this report, Obama had expressed doubts to confidants about Biden's potential re-nomination. Obama believes Biden's chances of winning have diminished and that the 81-year-old should seriously consider the feasibility of his candidacy, the "Washington Post" quoted sources close to Obama a few days ago. However, there was no direct response from Obama.
Biden served as Vice President under Obama from 2009 to 2017 and Obama still wields significant influence in the Democratic Party and would be the most prominent party member to call Biden to the task of running.
Trump also commented on his rival's withdrawal - and with several accusations. "The corrupt Joe Biden was not able to run for the office of President, and he is certainly not able to hold the office - and he never was!", Trump wrote on his online platform Truth Social.
He accused Biden of "only getting the Presidency through lies, fake news, and by not leaving his basement", and also accused people close to Biden, his doctor, and the media of knowing that Biden "cannot handle the Presidency". The rest of Trump's message devolved into typical campaign rhetoric about immigration.
Obama's expressed doubts about Biden's potential re-nomination in the 2024 US Presidential Election, as reported by the "Washington Post," could pose a challenge for Biden's campaign. Despite Obama's influence in the Democratic Party, Biden has not publicly discussed Obama's reservations, choosing to focus on his own record and the future of the Democratic Party.
