Biden Withdraws from Reelection Race to Support Democratic Colleagues
In a recent interview with CBS, President Joe Biden revealed the motivations behind his decision to withdraw from the presidential race. According to Biden, his choice was primarily driven by a desire to protect fellow Democratic Party members who are facing upcoming legislative elections in November. He emphasized that his continued candidacy could be detrimental to their electoral prospects, saying, "What happened was that several of my colleagues in Congress thought that my presence would harm them in their respective electoral races."
Biden dismissed any suggestions that his withdrawal was prompted by disappointing internal poll results or the influence of former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, a key figure in Democratic politics. "The polls we were looking at indicated that I was still neck and neck against my Republican rival Donald Trump," Biden stated. He underscored that the decision was less about his own candidacy and more about the implications of his campaign on his party's chances in the upcoming elections.
Reflecting on his motivations, Biden reiterated that he initially viewed himself as a crucial candidate capable of defeating Trump. "And I still think that right now it is the most important thing for this country. We must defeat Trump," he declared, emphasizing the former president's ongoing threat to national security. Biden expressed concerns over Trump's rhetoric regarding election integrity, asserting that such statements could incite violence post-election. "We don’t take him seriously but he means it," Biden remarked, pointing out the potential risks in Trump's attitude toward losing an election.
In his discussion, Biden also expressed unwavering support for his Vice President, Kamala Harris, as the Democratic party's candidate for the November elections. He vowed to appear alongside her during the campaign whenever possible, stating, "I talk to her frequently," and commended her selection of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate, calling him "an honest and smart guy."
While the interview largely concentrated on domestic politics, it also touched upon international issues, particularly the conflict in the Gaza Strip. Biden affirmed that a viable agreement is still possible, reiterating his commitment to working with international partners, including the G7 and the UN Security Council, to ensure that the conflict does not escalate into a regional war.
Despite the significant changes in the political landscape, Biden's focus remains on the broader health of the Democratic Party and the fight against Trump, which he views as pivotal for the future of the nation.
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