US President Joe Biden disembarks Air Force One on his way back to Washington on July 23, 2024 at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, USA.
Ken Cedeno | Reuters
President Joe Biden will tell the American public on Wednesday night that “defending democracy is more important than any title” as he explains his surprise decision to drop out of the presidential election and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s nominee.
“I draw strength and joy from working for the American people,” Biden will say in the Oval Office, according to excerpts from his speech released in advance by the White House.
“But this sacred task of perfecting our union is not about me. It's about you. Your families. Your future. It's about 'We the People.'”
Biden's speech comes three days after the 81-year-old president dropped out of the race against Republican candidate former President Donald Trump and pledged his full support to Harris.
“I have come to the conclusion that the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation,” Biden said.
“This is the best way to unite our nation.”
The president, who is seeking to finish the remainder of his first term, which ends in January, returned to Washington on Tuesday after spending several days in isolation at his beach house in Delaware, where he recovered from a Covid-19 infection.
Biden's decision to drop out of the race on Sunday during the Covid quarantine came after a weeks-long pressure campaign by Democratic lawmakers, donors and strategists who had called on him to withdraw after his rocky performance at the debate against Trump in June.
The debate blunder exacerbated ongoing concerns about Biden's age and his ability to run a successful campaign against Trump, let alone serve a second term as president.
Since Sunday, the Biden-Harris campaign has been in the honeymoon phase.
Harris has secured the support of hundreds of Democratic lawmakers and government officials, including those who had previously been considered possible candidates to succeed Biden at the top of the electoral list.
These names have now been eliminated as possible challengers to Harris and are instead on the list for her running mate.
Harris has also raised record amounts in online donations and major donors. Her first campaign events drew more attendees than any other this campaign cycle. And early exit polls show she's starting to catch up to Trump in the polls.
Biden plans to remind Americans of their power in voting.
“The great thing about America is that there are neither kings nor dictators,” the president wants to say.
“The people are doing it. History is in your hands. Power is in your hands. The idea of America – is in your hands.”
This is breaking news, check back later for updates.
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