Following reports that Biden will not run for reelection, former President Barack Obama praised Biden as a “patriot of the highest order” but stopped short of endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor.
“Joe Biden has been one of America’s greatest presidents and a dear friend and partner to me, and today we were reminded once again that he is a patriot of the highest order,” Obama said. Written on Sunday On Biden’s tough decision.
Obama said he expected the party would be “navigating uncharted territory going forward,” but did not mention Harris and expressed confidence in the party’s ability to move forward.
“I have extraordinary confidence that our party’s leadership can create a process that will produce an outstanding nominee,” Obama said in a statement. “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, and I look forward to each of us being prepared to carry that message of hope and progress into November and beyond.”
“For now, Michelle and I just 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,” he added.
President Obama, who was known to be close to Biden when they served together in the White House, noted how difficult the decision must have been for Biden, but added that he was confident Biden was thinking about what was right for the country.
“I also know that Joe has never backed down from a fight,” he wrote. “For him to look at the political landscape and decide that it’s time to pass the baton to a new candidate is undoubtedly one of the most difficult things he will ever do in his life. But I know he would not make this decision if he didn’t believe it was right for America. This is a testament to Joe Biden’s patriotism and a historic example of a true public servant once again putting the interests of the American people above his own, one that future generations of leaders should emulate.”
President Obama praised Biden’s accomplishments in office, including helping end the pandemic, record job creation, lowering prescription drug costs, investing in climate change and supporting unions. He also praised Biden’s leadership on the world stage and his role in uniting NATO countries against Russian aggression in Ukraine.
He praised Biden’s character for his “deep empathy and hard-won resilience, basic decency and belief that everyone matters”, and credited him with steering the country “away from four years of chaos, lies and division that characterized the administration of Donald Trump”.
“This incredible record gives President Biden every right to run for reelection and finish the job he started,” Obama wrote. “Joe understands better than anyone the importance of this election: returning Donald Trump to the White House and handing Republicans control of Congress would jeopardize everything he has fought for his entire life and everything the Democratic Party stands for.”
“Through his policies and his example, Joe reminds us what kind of country we are at our best — a country that values old-fashioned values like trust and honesty, kindness and hard work; a country that believes in democracy, the rule of law and accountability; a country that insists that everyone, no matter who they are, deserves a voice and a chance to make a better life,” Obama said.
