2024-07-21 23:17:59
President Joe Biden, 81, announced today that he is dropping out of his re-election bid and threw the 2024 presidential race into disarray, bowing to relentless pressure from his closest allies to drop out of the race amid deep concerns that he is too old and frail to defeat former President Donald Trump.
After three weeks of often angry refusals to step aside, Biden finally caved in the face of a torrent of devastating polls, urgent calls from Democratic lawmakers and clear signs that donors were no longer willing to pay for him to continue.
Biden’s decision brings an abrupt end to a political crisis that began when the president staged a calamitous debate against Trump on June 27. But for the Democratic Party, Biden’s withdrawal triggers a second crisis: who to replace him with, and specifically, whether to organize around Vice President Kamala Harris or launch a swift effort to find someone else to be the party’s nominee.
The announcement by Biden, who is in isolation with Covid, came just three days after Trump delivered an incendiary, insult-laden speech to accept his party’s nomination and a chance to return to the White House for a second term.
Trump, who has been preparing for a rematch with Biden for years, will now face a different — and previously unknown — Democratic opponent with just 110 days to go until Election Day.
Will remain in office
Biden has said he will not resign from office and intends to finish his term even if he leaves it to others to try to defeat Trump.
In the coming months, he faces the ongoing war in Ukraine and increasingly desperate efforts to reach a deal to end fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
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