Biden ends reelection bid, endorses Harris
The sitting president gave his VP full support to replace him atop the Democratic ticket
What happened
President Joe Biden upended the 2024 presidential race Sunday by extinguishing his reelection bid. He gave his "full support and endorsement" to Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him atop the Democratic ticket.
Who said what
Biden said while it had been his "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." Harris said she was "honored" to have Biden's endorsement and intended to "earn and win this nomination" and "unite the Democratic Party" to "defeat Donald Trump."
Biden's withdrawal "brings a stunning end to one of the longest and most consequential careers in modern American politics," The Wall Street Journal said. But "many Democrats felt a palpable sense of enthusiasm and relief" after "nearly a month of internal battles" following Biden's disastrous debate against Trump, The New York Times said. Rank-and-file Democrats responded with an "avalanche of cash," pouring more than $50 million into the campaign by Sunday night through ActBlue.
"Powerful leaders of the Democratic establishment," including several potential rivals, "quickly embraced" Harris, appearing to give her a "glide path to the nomination," the Times said. But "not all Democrats were pushing for a coronation." The party's "dilemma," Dan Balz said at The Washington Post, is "how they elevate Harris in a process that is seen as open and fair" but doesn't "devolve into chaos and division."
What next?
Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison promised a "transparent and orderly process" to pick a nominee before the party's Aug. 19-22 convention, starting with a livestreamed July 24 meeting of the DNC's rules committee. Biden said he will "speak to the nation later this week" about his decision.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Last hopes for justice for UK's nuclear test veterans
Under the Radar Thousands of ex-service personnel say their lives have been blighted by aggressive cancers and genetic mutations
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
'It may not be surprising that creative work is used without permission'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
5 simple items to help make your airplane seat more comfortable
The Week Recommends Gel cushions and inflatable travel pillows make a world of difference
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
US sanctions Israeli West Bank settler group
Speed Read The Biden administration has imposed sanctions on Amana, Israel's largest settlement development organization
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Biden allows Ukraine to hit deep in Russia
Speed Read The U.S. gave Ukraine the green light to use ATACMS missiles supplied by Washington, a decision influenced by Russia's escalation of the war with North Korean troops
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
What does the G20 summit say about the new global order?
Today's Big Question Donald Trump's election ushers in era of 'transactional' geopolitics that threatens to undermine international consensus
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Joe Biden's legacy: economically strong, politically disastrous
In Depth The President boosted industry and employment, but 'Bidenomics' proved ineffective to winning the elections
By The Week UK Published
-
'Paraguay has found itself in a key position'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Biden arrives in Peru for final summits
Speed Read President Joe Biden will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, visit the Amazon rainforest and attend two major international summits
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'The burden of the tariff would be regressive'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Should Sonia Sotomayor retire from the Supreme Court?
Talking Points Democrats worry about repeating the history of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published