Biden Withdraws; Republicans Demand Immediate Resignation

President Joe Biden announces he will not seek reelection, prompting mixed reactions from Missouri politicians.

Why it matters: Biden’s decision has significant implications for the 2024 presidential race and the future leadership of the country.

The details:

• Republican Sens. Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt call for Biden’s immediate resignation, questioning his ability to lead.
• Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft echo these sentiments, asserting that if Biden is unfit for reelection, he should not continue as president.
• Democratic leaders, including St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones and U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, express gratitude for Biden’s service and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as the nominee.
• Biden cites the best interest of his party and the country as reasons for his decision to stand down and focus on his remaining term.

“If you can’t run a mere political campaign, you can’t be president,” said Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo.

“President Joe Biden has been the most consequential leader of our lifetime, for America and for the city of St. Louis,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones.

What’s next: Both parties are gearing up for a highly contested election season, with the Democratic Party facing the challenge of selecting a new nominee to face the Republican candidate.

President Joe Biden makes an unprecedented exit from the presidential race, withdrawing his candidacy in isolation amid mounting pressure.

Why it matters: Biden’s decision marks a historic moment in modern American politics, coming just weeks before Election Day and leaving the Democratic Party in a precarious position.

The details:

• Biden’s decision to withdraw was made through a letter posted on social media while recovering from Covid-19 at his beach house in Delaware.
• For 24 days, Biden maintained his commitment to the campaign despite a disastrous debate performance and declining poll numbers.
• Biden’s inner circle shrank to his closest aides and family as he retreated to Delaware, with the final decision reached in the last 48 hours after consulting data and advisers.
• The backdrop to Biden’s exit included deteriorating poll numbers, defections from party officials, and dwindling financial support from donors.

The reaction: Vice President Kamala Harris, whom Biden has endorsed, was informed of the decision on the same day as the announcement, along with key White House staff and Cabinet members.

The stakes: Biden’s abrupt exit signals a high-risk, high-reward gamble for Democrats as they reset the race with a new nominee just 107 days before the election, aiming to unify the party and move past the chaos.

Democrats face a tight deadline to replace President Joe Biden as their nominee for the 2024 presidential race following his unexpected withdrawal.
Why it matters: The party has only weeks to select a new candidate, with the nomination needing to be formalized by August 7, leaving them scrambling to ensure a strong contender against the Republican nominee.
The details:

• Top contenders expected to vie for the nomination include Vice President Kamala Harris, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.
• President Biden endorsed Vice President Harris immediately upon announcing his decision, followed by support from high-profile Democrats like Bill and Hillary Clinton.
• Harris held extensive discussions with party leaders, Members of Congress, governors, labor leaders, and advocacy organization heads over the weekend, determined to earn the nomination through her own efforts.
• The Democratic Party remains divided, with notable leaders like Speaker Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi not publicly supporting any candidate yet.

The challenges: Concerns have been raised about Harris’s electability against the likely Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump, with some party members expressing skepticism about her chances of success.

The other side: The Trump campaign has expressed confidence in facing Harris rather than Biden, feeling more optimistic about their chances against her.

What’s next: The coming weeks will be crucial in shaping the Democratic nomination, as the party navigates the challenge of selecting a candidate who can best defeat Donald Trump in the 2024 election.

Full story

President Joe Biden announced he will not seek reelection, sending shockwaves through the political landscape. Missouri’s Republican senators, including Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt, called for Biden’s immediate resignation, questioning his ability to lead. “If you can’t run a mere political campaign, you can’t be president,” said Sen. Hawley. Sen.

My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best… pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024

Schmitt echoed this sentiment, stating, “Biden’s time in elected office is far past its expiration date.”

I’ve known President Biden for years. He’s a great man, and everything he does is guided by his love for his country. As President, he is a partner to Canadians — and a true friend.

To President Biden and the First Lady: thank you. pic.twitter.com/5mQvFn8INn

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) July 21, 2024

Despite these calls, Biden committed to serving the remainder of his term, which ends on Jan. 20.

A história da desistência de Biden: Why Biden finally dropped out – POLITICO https://t.co/6At3uax69K

— Paulo Gala (@paulogala) July 22, 2024

“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your president,” Biden said, adding that stepping down is in the best interest of his party and the country.

Prominent Republican figures in Missouri, such as Lt. Gov.

Biden Drops Out of 2024 Presidential Race: Live Updates – The New York Times https://t.co/eQoK2xqqjo

— Paulo Gala (@paulogala) July 21, 2024

Mike Kehoe and Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, insisted that if Biden is unfit for reelection, he should not continue as Commander-in-chief. State Sen.

Bill Eigel called Vice President Kamala Harris a “radical’s radical” who would be more destructive than Biden. On the Democratic side, leaders praised Biden for his service. St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O.

Jones and U.S Rep. Cori Bush thanked Biden for his work and endorsed Harris as the nominee. “President Joe Biden has been the most consequential leader of our lifetime, for America and for the city of St.

Louis,” said Jones.

Biden’s decision triggers mixed reactions

Bush declared, “When we say trust Black women, we mean it.

Black women are the backbone of the Democratic Party and it is past time for us to lead our country forward.”

Other Democratic figures, such as St. Louis Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell and U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, also endorsed Harris, citing Biden’s impactful presidency and leadership.

Biden’s decision to withdraw came after weeks of asserting his commitment to the campaign following a disastrous debate performance. The final decision was reached in the last 48 hours, with consultations from family and top advisers. A senior campaign adviser described Biden as studying the data and concluding that his presence on the ticket would weigh it down and complicate efforts to defeat Trump.

Severe damage to his campaign’s viability became clear through deteriorating poll numbers and defections from party officials. Democrats now face a tight deadline to replace Biden as their nominee, with the nomination needing to be formalized by August 7. Top contenders include Vice President Kamala Harris, California Gov.

Gavin Newsom, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.

President Biden endorsed Harris immediately upon announcing his decision, followed by support from high-profile Democrats like Bill and Hillary Clinton. However, notable figures such as former President Obama and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi have yet to show their support, creating a mixed reaction within the party. As the Democratic Party navigates these challenging waters, the focus remains on who can best defeat Donald Trump in the 2024 election.

The coming weeks will be crucial in shaping the Democratic nomination and the future of U.S. politics.