Kamala Harris says she will ‘earn’ nomination after Biden drops out of race and gives his endorsement as Dems scramble
KAMALA Harris has said she will accept Joe Biden’s endorsement after he sensationally ended his election bid on Sunday – and she already has the backing of a few high-profile Democrats.
The vice president, 59, praised Biden’s accomplishments as she accepted his endorsement and Bill and Hillary Clinton were quick to throw their support behind her – but former president Barack Obama didn’t.
“On behalf of the American people, I thank Joe Biden for his extraordinary leadership as President of the United States and for his decades of service to our country,” Harris’ statement began.
“His remarkable legacy of accomplishment is unmatched in modern history, surpassing the legacy of many Presidents who have served two terms in office,” the statement continued.
Harris went on to describe her friendship with Biden’s son, Beau when they both worked as Attorney Generals.
She recalled the kind words Beau spoke of his father and praised Biden as a kind man.
Harris said she saw those positive qualities every day during his administration, writing, “His honesty and integrity. His big heart and commitment to his faith and his family. And his love of our country and the American people.”
The vice president called Biden’s decision to withdraw “selfless” and “patriotic.”
“President Biden is doing what he had done throughout his life of service: putting the American people and our country above everything else,” Harris said.
She added that she was honored to have Biden’s endorsement and intended to win the presidential nomination for the Democratic party.
“I will do everything in my power to unite the Democratic party – and our nation – to defeat Donald Trump and his extreme Project 2025 agenda,” Harris vowed.
Project 2025 is a conservative plan for America’s future, outlined by a far-right policy group called the Heritage Foundation.
The group has ties to Trump but the former president has repeatedly denied that he endorses the plan.
Harris later said on X, “On behalf of the American people, I thank Joe Biden for his extraordinary leadership as President of the United States and for his decades of service to our country.
“I am honored to have the President’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination.”
Shortly after Biden announced he was stepping down, the Clintons, including Hillary who had been floated as a possible replacement for Joe, quickly made their support of Harris known.
The pair issued a joint statement just an hour after Biden suspended his campaign, saying they were honored to join Biden in endorsing her.
“President Biden has capped his extraordinary career of service with a Presidency that has lifted America out of an unprecedented pandemic, created millions of new jobs, rebuilt a battered economy, strengthened our democracy, and restored our standing in the world,” they said in the statement posted on X.
“We join millions of Americans in thanking President Biden for all he has accomplished, standing up for America time and again, with his North Star always being what’s best for the country. …
“We are honored to join the President in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do whatever we can to support her.”
It comes as…
- Biden admits stepping aside is “in the best interest” of the Democratic Party
- He immediately endorses Vice President Kamala Harris, who vows to “earn” the Democratic nomination
- Trump slams Biden as the “worst president in history” and says Kamala will be “easier to defeat”
- House Speaker Mike Johnson, GOP VP nominee JD Vance and other GOP call on Biden to resign if he’s “not fit to run”
- Expert warns Biden dropping out is bad news for Republicans
- Bill and Hillary Clinton endorse Harris but Barack Obama doesn’t
- Timeline reveals Biden’s failed re-election bid from debate disaster to Democrat betrayals
- Gavin Newsom tops list of names floated as possible replacements for Biden
Former President Obama, however, didn’t endorse Harris in his first remarks about Biden stepping aside.
He acknowledged that the nation was in “uncharted waters” while praising Biden’s policies and leadership, calling him a “patriot of the highest order” for stepping aside.
“I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges,” he wrote.
And even Tesla boss Elon Musk weighed in on Biden’s endorsement of Harris.
He replied to her tweet saying, “Awesome,” with a sunglasses emoji.
BIDEN DROPS OUT
The president’s screeching U-turn over the 2024 election came after weeks of mounting pressure for him to step down, bringing an abrupt end to his disastrous campaign.
In a letter shared Sunday afternoon, Biden said it had been the greatest honor of his life to serve as president.
But he added that it is “in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down.”
The president went on to offer his “full support and endorsement for Kamala,” insisting that picking her as his VP was the “best decision” he made.
Noting that he would “focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term,” he added, “My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President.
What happens next as Joe Biden drops out of the 2024 race?
President Biden has finally heeded calls to drop his bid for re-election, throwing the 2024 election into chaos. He has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris but naming a new Democratic nominee won't be a simple process. Here's what's next after Biden's stunning announcement.
Biden secured nearly 4,000 delegates by winning state caucuses and primaries earlier this year. He was set to officially be named the Democratic nominee at a virtual vote ahead of the Democratic National Convention, which begins on August 19.
Democratic party rules don’t allow Biden to simply pass his 3,896 delegates to Harris or another candidate.
Harris will now have to convince those nearly 4,000 delegates and 700 superdelegates to support her and name her nominee.
However, delegates are free agents who can choose to support whichever candidate they want – likely without input from voters at this stage since primaries and caucuses were already held.
All eyes are now on the previously planned virtual vote – where the Democratic party could choose a nominee before the DNC begins.
Biden’s endorsement of Harris will likely sway delegates and no one has publicly challenged her as a candidate – but delegates are not required to back her. Even if the virtual vote isn’t held, the party could still choose Harris or another candidate before the convention.
If Democrats don’t name their nominee before the DNC, it’ll be the first open and contested convention since 1968.
“And it’s been the best decision I’ve made.
“Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year.
“Democrats – it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.”
Biden has made clear that he will continue to carry out the remainder of his term and plans to speak further on his decision later this week.
“For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected,” he said in his bombshell statement.
“I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work.”
Biden’s 2024 campaign went from bad to worse after his disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump in June.
The president’s ability to run for re-election has been called into question ever since, with mounting pressure from Dems urging him to step aside.
Reports quickly began to surface that Democratic leaders were holding closed-door meetings both with and without Biden to discuss the glaring issue.
And according to The New York Times, rattled Dem leaders told the president he needed to let another candidate take over in order to challenge Trump and the Republican Party.
These meetings reportedly included heavyweight Democrats like Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
Schumer reportedly told Biden in Delaware on July 13 that it would be best for him to drop out.
Meanwhile, former President Barack Obama sent shock waves when he reportedly expressed concerns to allies.
Possible replacements for the Democratic presidential candidate
Several names have been floated for who will replace Joe Biden now that he has sensationally dropped out of the 2024 race.
- Kamala Harris: Biden has endorsed his Vice President and many have deemed her the natural successor, however, she has low approval ratings
- Gavin Newsom: California’s governor, who has been a staunch supporter of President Biden
- Gretchen Whitmer: Current Michigan governor who labeled herself a “progressive” Democrat
- Hillary Clinton: Former Secretary of State and failed 2016 presidential candidate. She initially denied rumors and stated she backs Biden
- J.B. Pritzker: Governor of Illinois and cofounder of the Pritzker Group, a private investment firm
- Josh Shapiro: Governor of Pennsylvania and former attorney general for the state
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi is also said to have privately told Biden the party could lose control of the House if he didn’t step aside.
The scrutiny surrounding the president’s health and inability to lead was too glaring for Democrats to ignore, according to Axios.
Donald Trump, whose campaign has gone from strength to strength since his debate against Biden and surviving an assassination attempt, issued a scathing statement on his Truth Social account shortly after Biden dropped out, insisting his rival was “not fit to run.”
“Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve – And never was! He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement,” Trump said.
“All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasn’t capable of being President, and he wasn’t – And now, look what he’s done to our Country, with millions of people coming across our Border, totally unchecked and unvetted, many from prisons, mental institutions, and record numbers of terrorists.”
He added, “We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Biden’s family, however, has shown full support for the president, with Jill Biden retweeting his statements online and Naomi Biden, the president’s granddaughter, saying she was “nothing but proud.”
JOE BIDEN'S STATEMENT IN FULL
US President Joe Biden has announced that he is no longer seeking re-election.
Here is his statement in full:
“My Fellow Americans, over the past three-and-a-half years, we have made great progress as a nation.
“Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We’ve made historic investments in rebuilding our nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans.
“We’ve provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world.
“America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today.
“I know none of this could have been done without you, the American people. Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We’ve protected and preserved our democracy. And we’ve revitalised and strengthened our alliances around the world.
“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek re-election, 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.
“I will speak to the nation later this week in more detail about my decision.
“For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me re-elected.
“I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me.
“I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can’t do – when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America.”