Newsman: President Joe Biden said he has stepped out of the 2024 Presidential race to save the democracy and pass the torch to the new generation. President in a rare Oval Office address the nation describing it as an act aimed at unifying the nation to which he devoted his decades-long career.
“I revere this office but I love my country more,” Biden said. “It’s been the honor of my life to serve as president but in the defense of democracy, which is at stake, I think it’s more important than any title.”
“I’ve given my heart and my soul to our nation, like so many others, but I’m blessed a million times in return for the love and support of the American.
At the closing chapter of his presidency and half-century in public service, Biden acknowledged that uniting the party required sacrificing personal ambition for what he sees as a greater good.
“I revere this office. But I love my country more,” the president said
“It’s been the honor of my life to serve as your president. But in defense of democracy, which is at stake – and is more important than any title. I draw strength and I find joy in working for the American people,” he said.
“My fellow Americans, it has been the privilege of my life to serve this nation for over 50 years,” Biden said on Wednesday. “Nowhere else on Earth could a kid with a stutter from modest beginnings of Scranton, Pennsylvania and Claymont, Delaware one day sit behind the resolute desk in the Oval Office as president of the United States but here I am.”
President Joe Biden had spoken directly to the American people on-camera since his announcement of stepping away from the Presidential race and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place three days ago.
“I believe my record as president, my leadership in the world, my vision for America’s future all merited a second term,” Biden said. “But nothing, nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy. That includes personal ambition, so I’ve decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation.”
Biden continued to emphasize what he believes is at risk this election,
“I ran for president four years ago because I believed, and still do that the soul of America was at stake, the very nature of who we are was at stake,” he said. “And that’s still the case.”
“There’s a time and a place for long years of experience in public life,” Biden said. “There’s also a time and a place for new voices, fresh voices and yes, younger voices. And that time and place is now.”
President Biden took several minutes to tout his accomplishments, pointing to the economic recovery after the coronavirus pandemic, his work lowering health care costs, the passage of an extensive infrastructure law and his leadership on the world stage providing assistance to Ukraine and working to strengthen NATO.
Biden looked ahead to what he still hopes to do in these final six months. He zeroed in on the need to address gun violence, climate change, continuing to improve the economy and reforming the U.S. Supreme Court.
On Harris, Biden said she is “experienced, she’s tough, she’s capable” and called her an “incredible partner” during their three-and-a-half years together.
“I’ve made my choice. I’ve made my views known … Now, the choice is up to you, the American people,” he said.
Biden became emotional during his remarks to express his heartfelt gratitude to be able to serve the nation and ascend to the position he long sought.
While Biden did not mention Donald Trump by name, he tried to draw a clear contrast with the former president,
“The great thing about America is, here, kings and dictators do not rule,” Biden said. “The people do. History is in your hands, the idea of America lies in your hands.”
Joe Biden now 81 years old, began his career as one of the youngest senators in United States history and spent 36 years representing Delaware on Capitol Hill. In 2008, he was tapped as President Barack Obama’s running mate and spent eight years as his vice president.
In 2020, Biden reached the pinnacle of his career as he clinched the Democratic nomination for president after failed attempts in 1988 and 2008, and went on to defeat Trump in the general election.
