President Joe Biden provided his most comprehensive explanation yet for his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, stating that he stepped down due to concerns that his continued candidacy might hinder the chances of other Democrats in the upcoming November elections. During a CBS News interview on “Sunday Morning,” Biden revealed that several congressional Democrats had expressed worries that his reelection campaign could become a “real distraction” and negatively impact down-ballot races.
In the interview, Biden specifically mentioned former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, hinting at the internal pressure within the Democratic Party that influenced his decision. He acknowledged that pursuing a second term might have been detrimental to the party’s overall chances, saying, “Polls we had showed that it was a neck-and-neck race; it would have been down to the wire. But what happened was a number of my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate thought that I was going to hurt them in their races. And I was concerned if I stayed in the race, that would be the topic.”
This interview was Biden’s first since he officially dropped out of the race on July 21, following a difficult debate with his Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump, on June 27. Biden’s remarks also hinted at the broader party dynamics at play, with Pelosi having recently provided more insight into the decision-making process that led to Biden’s exit. During an appearance on MSNBC’s “Inside With Jen Psaki,” Pelosi stated, “I wanted the decision to be a better campaign so that we could win. I did not think we were on a path to victory.”
Reports from that period suggested that top Democratic leaders, including Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, were among those who advised Biden to reconsider his candidacy. They were reportedly concerned that Biden’s continued presence in the race could jeopardize the party’s chances in down-ballot contests, leading to potential losses in Congress.
Pelosi also took the opportunity to praise Vice President Kamala Harris, who secured the Democratic presidential nomination after Biden’s withdrawal. She described Harris as “politically astute” and ready to take on the leadership role, stating, “She’s ready.” Biden and Harris are set to make their first joint appearance since the campaign’s reset at an event in Maryland on August 15.
Biden has framed his decision to step down as an effort to unify the country under a new generation of leaders. He emphasized the importance of defeating Trump, whom he referred to as a significant threat. “We must, we must, we must defeat Trump,” Biden asserted in the CBS interview.
Biden’s decision to withdraw makes him the first sitting U.S. president since Lyndon Baines Johnson in 1968 to opt out of seeking a second term. His exit followed a tumultuous 2024 race, which included Trump becoming the first former president to be convicted of a felony and surviving an assassination attempt.
In a July 24 address from the Oval Office, Biden reiterated his commitment to completing his term and stressed that his decision was driven by a desire to “pass the torch to a new generation.” He vowed to remain focused on his responsibilities as president during the remainder of his tenure.
