On Wednesday, July 24, 2024, President Biden discussed his decision not to run for a second term. He told the people of the United States, “The best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation.”
“I honour this job.” “But I love my country more,” Biden said from behind the Resolute desk. In defence of democracy, which is at stake, I think it’s more important than any title. It’s been the honour of my life to be your president.
Biden said stepping down was the “best way to unite the country.”
Biden also talked about some of his goals for the last six months of his term, such as cutting costs, protecting voting rights, and making sure women can get abortions.
These were Biden’s first public comments since he quit the presidential race on Sunday because of pressure from the Democratic Party.
Biden said he thought his work as president “deserved a second term.”
“But nothing can stop us from saving our democracy,” he said. “That includes my own goals.”
Just as soon as he decided to step down, he backed Vice President Kamala Harris to run for president. Monday, Biden did talk to his old campaign staff by phone. He told them that even though “the name has changed at the top of the ticket… The goal hasn’t changed at all.
Biden’s brand was getting past problems.
After that, Harris got enough backing from Democratic National Convention delegates nationwide to become the party’s nominee. On August 7, the Democratic Party will hold an actual roll call vote to pick a leader.
Biden returned to the White House on Tuesday after being alone at his home in Rehoboth Beach, Del., for several days.
During this time, he decided to step down as the presumptive Democratic candidate. Last week, the president tested positive for COVID while in Las Vegas.
But by Monday, Biden’s symptoms had gone away, and he took a quick test that came back negative, according to a memo from his doctor that the White House made public.
THE ELECTION
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Biden is still very busy in Washington, D.C., even though Harris is running for office in his place.
After giving his speech on Wednesday evening, the president will have Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Thursday.
The leaders are going to meet with the families of Americans that Hamas has taken hostage.
“Biden plans to go to Austin, Texas, on Monday for an event at the LBJ Library,” the White House said.
