FORMER President Barack Obama has applauded President Joe Biden’s choice to drop out of the 2024 campaign race but refused to endorse Biden’s chosen successor in Vice President Kamala Harris.
Obama acknowledged that the nation was in “uncharted waters” while praising Biden’s policies and leadership and calling him a “patriot of the highest order” for stepping aside.
Barack Obama addressed Joe Biden’s drop out announcement, but failed to endorse Kamala Harris[/caption] Biden shared his statement to Americans on Sunday afternoon after countless calls to step aside[/caption]In the statement, Obama said Biden “wouldn’t make this decision unless he believed it was right for America,” in support of Biden’s choice but failed to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris.
“Joe Biden has been one of America’s most consequential presidents,” Obama stated per Medium.
“As well as a dear friend and partner to me. Today, we’ve also been reminded – again – that he’s a patriot of the highest order.”
Obama recalled his experience picking Biden as his vice president and remarked on how much he admired his “deep empathy and hard-earned resilience; his fundamental decency and belief that everyone counts.”
The former president also wrote about Biden’s accomplishments over his three-and-a-half years saying he “pointed us away from the four years of chaos, falsehood, and division that had characterized Donald Trump’s administration.”
He argued that Biden’s work and track record gave him every right to run.
“Joe understands better than anyone the stakes in this election — how everything he has fought for throughout his life, and everything that the Democratic Party stands for will be at risk if we allow Donald Trump back in the White House and give Republicans control of Congress.”
Obama also said, “Joe has never backed down from a fight.”
“For him to look at the political landscape and decide that he should pass the torch to a new nominee is surely one of the toughest in his life,” the former president stated.
“But I know he wouldn’t make this decision unless he believed it was right for America.
“It’s a testament to Joe Biden’s love of country — and a historic example of a genuine public servant once again putting the interests of the American people ahead of his own that future generations of leaders will do well to follow.”
Obama added, “We will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead. But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges.”
However, at the end of his statement, Obama only expressed “love and gratitude” to Biden and Jill Biden, leaving Harris out of his response altogether.
Harris released a statement Sunday afternoon following Biden’s announcement.
Former President Barack Obama and Joe Biden have a decades-long relationship and Obama has always stood behind his former VP - until this week when he urged Biden to reconsider his bid for re-election in 2014. Here are the latest developments in their friendship.
She spoke highly of the president and recalled fond memories of spending time with his son Beau.
Harris also said, “With this selfless and patriotic act, President Biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else.”
The Vice President went on to say that she was “honored” to receive Biden’s endorsement and she intended to “earn and win this nomination.”
“Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election,” she wrote.
“And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic Party—and unite our nation—to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda.
“We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win.”
Along with Biden, Bill and Hillary Clinton have come forward saying they were “honored” to support her during the election in November.
More to follow… For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos
Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun
President Biden has finally heeded calls to drop his bid for re-election, throwing the 2024 election into chaos. He has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris but naming a new Democratic nominee won't be a simple process. Here's what's next after Biden's stunning announcement.
Biden secured nearly 4,000 delegates by winning state caucuses and primaries earlier this year. He was set to officially be named the Democratic nominee at a virtual vote ahead of the Democratic National Convention, which begins on August 19.
Democratic party rules don’t allow Biden to simply pass his 3,896 delegates to Harris or another candidate.
Harris will now have to convince those nearly 4,000 delegates and 700 superdelegates to support her and name her nominee.
However, delegates are free agents who can choose to support whichever candidate they want – likely without input from voters at this stage since primaries and caucuses were already held.
All eyes are now on the previously planned virtual vote – where the Democratic party could choose a nominee before the DNC begins.
Biden’s endorsement of Harris will likely sway delegates and no one has publicly challenged her as a candidate – but delegates are not required to back her. Even if the virtual vote isn’t held, the party could still choose Harris or another candidate before the convention.
If Democrats don’t name their nominee before the DNC, it’ll be the first open and contested convention since 1968.