Biden Admits Pelosi, Democratic Leaders Urged Him to Exit 2024 Race
President Joe Biden acknowledged in an interview with CBS that prominent Democratic leaders, including Nancy Pelosi, pressured him to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, despite his belief that the race with Donald Trump would have been competitive.
Biden Acknowledges Pressure from Democratic Leaders
Biden, who says he had always seen himself as a "bridge" candidate, conceded that various party figures were concerned about the potential negative impact of his candidacy on their races.
These pressures ultimately influenced his decision to withdraw.
The concerns about Biden intensified following a lackluster debate performance against former President Donald Trump on June 27.
His often-incoherent debate appearance raised questions about his ability to effectively campaign for another term.
Decision Made
Despite his decision, Biden maintained that a race against Trump would have been close. National polls, however, indicated Trump had an edge in battleground states.
"The polls we had showed that it was a neck and neck race, woulda been down to the wire. But what happened was a number of my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate thought that I was gonna hurt them in the races," Biden explained.
After his decision to exit the race, Biden swiftly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement. Former President Barack Obama backed this endorsement. Harris, positioned as the "grassroots" candidate by her supporters, had not received a single primary vote ahead of what was an effective coronation by the party.
Biden Endorses Kamala Harris
Pelosi, while publicly supporting Biden's reelection campaign, reportedly worked behind the scenes to persuade him to step down. Biden reflected on his role as a "transition president" and reiterated that he never intended to serve more than one term.
"As a transition president, I was concerned if I stayed in the race, that would be the topic — you'd be interviewing me about why did Nancy Pelosi say [something] … and I thought it'd be a real distraction," Biden commented. Pelosi's stance towards Biden’s reelection campaign had been critical, as she has "never been that impressed" by his efforts.
Harris Campaign Supported by Democratic Leadership
Following Biden’s exit, White House senior advisor Anita Dunn left her position to work for a Kamala Harris super PAC. This shift signaled the change in Democratic leadership.
"You know, clearly there were leaders of the party who decided to go ahead and go very public. And that gave permission to other people to go public," Dunn remarked.
Pelosi expressed her support and affection for Biden, despite her actions. "He knows that I love him very much. I pray so. I cry so," she stated. Nonetheless, she remained critical of his reelection drive.
Reflection On Biden's Presidency
Biden, reflecting on his age and tenure, noted the fast-paced nature of events around his presidency. “I can't even say how old I am, it's hard for me to get out of my mouth. But, things got moving so quickly, it didn't happen,” he reflected.
In conclusion, President Biden's revelation about the pressures from senior Democratic leaders, particularly Nancy Pelosi, offers a rare glimpse into the calculated political strategies within the party.
Biden's alignment with Harris and the endorsement of former President Obama illustrate an evolving Democratic landscape.
As the transition unfolds, the influence of both emerging and retiring Democratic figures remains a compelling aspect of the upcoming 2024 race.
