‘Passing the torch’: Joe Biden explains why he decided to drop out of US presidential race, hails ‘tough’ and ‘capable’ Kamala Harris – Times of India

In a solemn address from the Oval Office on Thursday, President Joe Biden announced his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, marking the end of his political career. Framing the upcoming election as a critical juncture for the nation, Biden in his speech said that his choice was driven by a profound commitment to democracy.
‘Pass the torch …’
“I have decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. That is the best way to unite our nation,” Biden said. He made his decision after days of soul-searching and agonizing over internal polling that predicted he could lose against Republican Donald Trump in November and drag down fellow Democrats with him.
“I revere this office, but I love my country more. 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,” Biden declared.

Biden’s speech began with a heartfelt expression of his love for America and the honor he felt in serving as its president. “This sacred task of perfecting our union – it’s not about me. It’s about you, your families, your future. It’s about we the people,” he said, emphasizing that the work of the nation transcends any individual leader.
‘Choice between progress and regression’
This address marked Biden’s first public appearance since the announcement of his decision not to seek reelection. He highlighted the importance of the upcoming election, portraying it as a choice between progress and regression, unity and division.
“America’s going to have to choose between moving forward or backward, between hope and hate, between unity and division. We have to decide: Do we still believe in honesty, decency, respect? Freedom, justice and democracy?” Biden posed these questions to the nation, expressing confidence in the American people’s inherent goodness and their ability to make the right choices.

Biden reiterated his commitment to honesty and truth, qualities he vowed to uphold when he took office. “We are a great nation because we are good people. When you elected me to this office, I promised to always level with you, to tell you the truth. The truth, the sacred cause of this country, is larger than any one of us. We must unite to protect it,” he urged.
‘Tough and capable’ Kamala Harris
Biden praised his Vice President Kamala Harris — the presumptive nominee for the Democratic presidential ticket — as “tough” and “capable” in his address to the nation from the Oval Office.
“She’s experienced, she’s tough, she’s capable. She’s been an incredible partner to me and a leader for our country. Now, the choice is up to you, the American people,” Biden said, just days after withdrawing from the election race and endorsing Harris.

The speech was the president’s first public comments since passing the torch to Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s presumptive nominee. He did not dwell on the concerns about his age or health that caused him to relent to pressure from within his own party after a listless and halting debate performance.
Instead, he pledged to continue working on foreign and domestic policy, seeking to advance his agenda even as a lame duck president for the next 180 days. He said of Harris that she is “experienced, she’s tough; she’s capable” and urged voters to pick her over former President Donald Trump.