President Joe Biden announced Sunday that he will end his 2024 re-election campaign.
Pressure from Biden’s Democratic colleagues on Capitol Hill, top donors, and Hollywood stars after the disastrous debate performance last month- all seem to have contributed to the decision.
Sunday the President said on X, “Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation. Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We’ve made historic investments in rebuilding our Nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable healthcare to a record number of Americans. We’ve provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in thirty years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today. I know none of this could have been done without you, the American people. Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We’ve protected and preserved our Democracy. And we’ve revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world. It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term. I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision. For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me. I believe today what I always have: That there is nothing America can’t do- when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America.”
In a separate Tweet Biden said “…Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.”
On Truth Social, former President Donald Trump said, “Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve- and never was! He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his basement. All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasn’t capable of being President, and he wasn’t- and now, look what he’s done to our Country, with millions of people coming across our Border, totally unchecked and unvetted, many from prisons, mental institutions, and record numbers of terrorists. We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
We have reached out to the Logan County Democratic Party for comments, Sue Neer said in a statement, “While we are saddened that Joe will not be our nominee for this election, we are very thankful for the job he has done. He has given us a great four years. Kamala is very capable of being our next President and we will fully support her.”
Bellefontaine Mayor, David Crissman said in a statement, “I don’t think Joe Biden should have been running in the first place, with the struggles in his health and memory. He will now be able to retire and be with his family. The Democratic party is going to have a lot of work to do, in a short amount of time, to replace him.”
Ranae Lentz, head of the Logan County Republican Party, issued this statement Sunday evening: “Joe Biden pulling out of the race is no real surprise considering the pressure he has been under from his fellow Democrats for the last three weeks. It was kind of him to endorse his Vice President. Americans deserve better than this President and his failed policies on addressing rampant inflation and the rising cost of living, the immigration crisis, out-of-control crime, and his energy policy. ”
Stay tuned for more details to come.
