Former President Barack Obama released a statement Sunday afternoon praising President Biden for withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race.
President Obama called Biden a “dear friend and partner” and a “patriot of the highest order.”
“Sixteen years ago, when I began my search for my vice president, I knew of Joe’s distinguished record of public service. But what I’ve come to admire even more is his character, his deep empathy and hard-won tenacity, his fundamental decency and belief that everyone matters,” Obama said.
The former president also cited Biden’s accomplishments during his three and a half years as commander in chief, saying he “helped end the pandemic, created millions of jobs, lowered the cost of prescription drugs, passed the first gun control bill in 30 years, made the largest investment in history to combat climate change, and fought to ensure workers’ right to organize for fair wages and benefits.”
Read: Biden withdraws from 2024 race via letter
Former President Barack Obama speaks with President Biden during the unveiling of Obama’s official White House portrait in Washington, DC on September 7, 2022. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Obama also referenced former President Donald Trump in his statement, calling the 45th president’s administration “four years of chaos, lies and division.”
While President Obama called President Biden’s performance “outstanding,” he said, “Joe understands better than anyone the importance of this election.”
With Biden’s campaign halted, what’s next for Democrats?
“Putting Donald Trump back in the White House and giving Republicans control of Congress puts at risk everything the Democratic Party stands for,” Obama said.
“I also know that Joe has never backed down from a fight. It is certainly one of the hardest things he will have to do in his life, looking at the political landscape and deciding that it’s time to hand the baton to a new candidate. But I know he wouldn’t make this decision if he didn’t believe it was right for America.”
President Biden and former President Barack Obama. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque TPX Today Video)
“I have extraordinary confidence that the leadership of our party can create a process that will produce an excellent candidate,” Obama said. “I believe Joe Biden’s vision of a generous, prosperous and united America with opportunity for all will be on full display at the Democratic National Convention in August.”
The Democratic National Convention will be held in Chicago from August 19th to 22nd.
The former president ended his statement by thanking both President Biden and Jill Biden.
“For now, Michelle and I simply want to express our love and gratitude to Joe and Jill for leading us so capably and bravely through this perilous time and for their commitment to the ideals of freedom and equality on which this country was founded.”
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Conspicuously absent from Obama’s statement was any mention of a potential successor to Biden. Biden himself has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor. Bill and Hillary Clinton have also endorsed Harris to succeed Biden.
