After weeks of fighting for his political life, US President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid on Sunday and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to succeed him.
This marks the first time a one-term US president has dropped out of a reelection run in decades, occurring less than four months before November’s election.
Biden explained his unprecedented exit in an Oval Office speech on Wednesday.
“In recent weeks it’s become clear to me that I need to unite my party in this critical endeavor. I believe my record as president, my leadership in the world, my vision for America’s future all merited a second term,” Biden said. “But nothing, nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy. That includes personal ambition. So, I’ve decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. It’s the best way to unite our nation.”
Harris, in her first campaign rally on Tuesday, told supporters in Wisconsin that she would spend the coming weeks “continuing to unite our party” ahead of next month’s Democratic National Convention.
The former US senator from California, who previously served as the state’s attorney general, could be the first Black woman and Asian American to lead a major party ticket. Moreover, she has already made history as the nation’s first female vice president.
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Moreover, political landscapes continue to shift as various leaders respond to evolving global crises. This includes ongoing discussions regarding international relations, domestic policies, and significant events shaping our future.
