Biden’s farewell falls short of clarity, leaving nation questioning his capacity to lead
In a historic move on Wednesday evening, President Joe Biden announced his decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race in a speech read from the Oval Office. While many expected Biden to provide reasons for his withdrawal from the race, his speech lacked any specific details to his decision.
After the speech, many were quick to point out that Biden seemed to struggle to get through the short address. Ben Shapiro states, “He could not make it through that 11-minute televised speech. He could not make it through with a teleprompter right in front of him. He stumbled over his words. [It] appeared that he was beginning to fall asleep.”
Some Democrats were quick to praise Biden for bowing out and supportingKamala Harris. Following the speech, Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi – longtime friend and advisor to Biden – posted to X, “Tonight, we saw President Joe Biden – one of America’s most consequential presidents – show that he is not only on the right side of history, but on the right side of the future.”
Biden also avoided discussing his health or the pressures from within his own party His cognitive abilities have been a topic of concern for some, and was exacerbated by his poor performance in a recent debate against former President Donald Trump. Despite calls from medical professionals for a neurological evaluation, Biden has refused to undergo additional testing than his White House physician. ABC News reported that Frank Biden, the President’s younger brother, stated that declining health was a factor in the decision to end his campaign.
In his speech, Biden claimed he would spend his remaining months in office “defending our personal freedoms and civil rights.” He expressed a desire to “go after the Second Amendment,” and stated that he has created 16 million new jobs.
The President also endorsed Kamala Harris with a few commendations of her capabilities saying Harris was, “experienced, tough, capable” and “an incredible partner for me and a leader for our country.”
Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race, coupled with the constant concerns about his health and cognitive abilities, have amplified the arguments that his continued presence in the Oval Office could impact national stability and governance.
