In an Oval Office speech this evening, President Biden addressed his decision to abandon his race for a second term, telling Americans, “the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation.”
“I revere this office. But I love my country more,” Biden said from behind the Resolute desk. “It’s been the honor of my life to serve as your president, but in defense of democracy, which is a stake, I think it’s more important than any title.”
Biden said stepping aside was “the best way to unite” the country.
Biden also outlined some of his priorities for the final six months of his term, including lowering costs, defending voting rights and protecting access to abortion.
The remarks were Biden’s first to the public since bowing to pressure from the Democratic Party and withdrawing from the presidential campaign on Sunday.
Biden said he believed his record as president “merited a second term.”
“But nothing, nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy,” he said “That includes personal ambition.”
His decision to step down was quickly followed by an endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris to run for president. Biden did address his former campaign team via telephone on Monday, when he told staffers that while “the name has changed at the top of the ticket… The mission hasn’t changed at all.”
That decision was quickly followed by an endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris to run for president. Biden did address his former campaign team via telephone on Monday, when he told staffers that while “the name has changed at the top of the ticket… The mission hasn’t changed at all.”
Harris has since received enough support from Democratic National Convention delegates across the country to become the party’s…
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