President Biden Ends Reelection Bid

News Analysis and Opinion from POLITICO

WASHINGTON (POLITICO) — President Joe Biden announced Thursday that he will not seek a second term in the White House, saying it is in the best interest of his party and the country.

The decision marks a dramatic end to Biden’s political career and sets up a potentially chaotic Democratic primary race to replace him.

Biden’s announcement comes after months of speculation about his political future. The president has been grappling with low approval ratings and a series of political setbacks, including the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement announcing his decision, Biden said he believes it is time for a new generation of leadership to take the helm of the Democratic Party.

“I have always believed that the strength of our democracy lies in the peaceful transfer of power,” Biden said. “It is time for someone else to lead us forward and I am confident that our party will put forth a strong nominee who can defeat the Republicans in 2024.”

The decision is sure to set off a scramble among Democrats to replace Biden. Some Democrats have pointed to Vice President Kamala Harris as the logical choice to serve as the party’s standard-bearer in 2024.

However, Harris has also faced criticism from some Democrats who believe she is too inexperienced to be president.

Other potential Democratic candidates include Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.

The Republican Party is also expected to field a competitive field of candidates in the 2024 presidential race. Former President Donald Trump has not yet announced whether he will seek a second term, but he remains a popular figure among Republican voters.

The 2024 presidential election is shaping up to be one of the most consequential in American history. The outcome of the race will have a major impact on the direction of the country for years to come.

Joe Biden's Solo News Conference

In other news, President Biden faced a test Thursday that he had avoided so far this year: a solo news conference with questions from the White House press.

The president fielded questions on a wide range of topics, including the ongoing war in Ukraine, the rising cost of living, and his decision not to seek a second term.

Biden appeared to be in good spirits and handled the questions with ease. He was particularly forceful in his defense of his decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan.

“I believe we made the right decision,” Biden said. “We ended a war that had been going on for 20 years and we did it with honor.”

Biden’s performance at the news conference is likely to be seen as a sign that he is still in control of the presidency, despite the challenges he has faced in recent months.