In a recent press conference at the White House, outgoing US President Joe Biden reflected on his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, stating that he believes he could have defeated Republican Donald Trump had he stayed in the race. However, Joe Biden explained that he made the difficult choice to step aside in order to prioritize the unity of the Democratic Party.
When asked by a journalist whether he regretted not running for re-election and if his withdrawal had made it easier for his predecessor, Donald Trump, to reclaim the presidency, Joe Biden responded confidently. “I don’t think so. I think I would have beaten Trump, could have beaten Trump, and I think that Kamala (Harris) could have beaten Trump, would have beaten Trump,” he said, reaffirming his belief in his ability to win the election.
Joe Biden emphasized that his decision was not about personal ambition but about the well-being of the Democratic Party. “It wasn’t about – I thought it was important to unify the party,” he explained, acknowledging that concerns within the party about his ability to continue, despite his belief that he could win, played a role in his decision. He further clarified that he wanted to ensure the party remained united and avoided the risk of losing the election due to division within its ranks. “I thought it was better to unify the party,” Joe Biden added.
The 82-year-old leader expressed that being the US president was the “greatest honour” of his life but that his desire to protect the party’s chances in the election ultimately led to his decision to step aside. “But I didn’t want to be the one who caused a party that wasn’t unified to lose an election,” he said. He also mentioned that he was confident in Kamala Harris’s ability to win the race and trusted her leadership.
Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race came after a controversial presidential debate performance in June, which had been criticized by many within his own party. Following this, Joe Biden endorsed his running mate, Vice President Kamala Harris, to be the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate. However, Harris’s campaign ultimately fell short, as she lost to Donald Trump in the November 5 election. The Republican Party not only regained control of the White House but also maintained its majority in the House of Representatives and secured a majority in the Senate.
In addition to discussing his own decision, Joe Biden also addressed the future of Kamala Harris and her potential to run for president in four years. He praised her competence and said that the decision on whether she would run again would be entirely up to her. “I think that’s a decision she might think she’s competent to run again in four years. That’ll be a decision for her to make,” Joe Biden said, reflecting on his vice president’s capabilities and future prospects.
As Joe Biden prepares to leave office and Donald Trump returns to power, he will deliver a televised farewell address to the nation on January 15, just five days before Trump’s inauguration. Joe Biden’s reflections on his presidency and the decisions that shaped his leadership continue to resonate as the country transitions into a new political era.
