• By Vivek Raj
  • Mon, 22 Jul 2024 10:31 AM (IST)
  • Source:JND

President Joe Biden declared his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race on Sunday, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the new Democratic candidate. The announcement, made via a social media post while Biden recovered from COVID-19 at his Delaware beach house, came after weeks of mounting pressure and marks a dramatic turn in US politics. Biden’s withdrawal is unprecedented as no sitting US. president has exited a reelection race so close to Election Day.

Biden’s exit marks a major shift in the 2024 presidential race. The decision has led to immediate discussions about the future direction of the Democratic Party and the upcoming election. His decision follows a troubled period, including poor debate performance, increasing internal party dissent, and health concerns.

Here are the possible reasons behind Joe Biden’s decision:

Biden’s decision-making process was marked by a series of meetings with his closest advisers. Despite his initial commitment to stay in the race, mounting evidence from polls and internal discussions suggested that his path to victory was diminishing. Biden held consultations with White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients and campaign chair Jen O'Malley Dillon before making the final decision, as reported by CNN.

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Poor Debate Performance

One of the critical factors leading to Biden’s withdrawal was his poor performance in the June 27 debate against former President Donald Trump. Biden stumbled over his words and struggled with coherence, which led to significant criticism from both the media and political analysts. This performance intensified calls from within the Democratic Party for him to reconsider his candidacy.

Internal Party Pressure

Following the debate, there was increasing pressure from Democratic lawmakers and party members for Biden to step down. Over 36 Democratic lawmakers publicly urged him to step down, citing concerns over his mental and physical fitness. The internal dissent was driven by fears that his continued candidacy could jeopardise the party’s chances in the upcoming election.

Campaign and Polling Challenges

Despite Biden's insistence on his capability to beat Trump, polling data and feedback from Democratic officials suggested a diminishing chance of victory. Biden’s campaign was marred by poor polling results and a declining public perception, further influencing his decision to exit the race.

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Health and Age Concerns

Biden’s age and health were also critical factors in his decision. His advanced age and occasional stuttering during public appearances raised concerns about his ability to serve a second term. These issues became more pronounced after his debate performance, leading many to question his capacity to handle the rigors of another presidential term.

At the NATO summit in the second week of July, President Biden mistakenly confused the names of his Vice President Kamala Harris and his Republican rival Donald Trump, as well as the names of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose nations are currently at war.