In a surprising turn of events, former Vice President Joe Biden announced today that he will not be running for president in the 2024 election. This decision comes as a shock to many who expected Biden to seek a second term after his victory over former President Donald Trump in the 2020 election.
Biden, who is now 81 years old, cited health concerns as the primary reason for his decision to withdraw from the race. In a statement released by his campaign, Biden explained that he has been dealing with a number of health issues in recent years and feels that he is no longer physically able to take on the demands of a presidential campaign.
“I have always said that I would only run for president if I felt that I was physically and mentally able to do the job,” Biden said in the statement. “Unfortunately, after consulting with my doctors, I have come to the conclusion that it is in the best interest of my health to step aside and allow a new generation of leaders to take the reins.”
Biden’s decision not to run for president in 2024 comes as a blow to many Democrats who viewed him as a strong candidate to defeat Trump in a potential rematch. Biden’s victory in 2020 was seen as a repudiation of Trump’s divisive and inflammatory rhetoric, and many Democrats hoped that Biden would be able to build on that success in a second term.
However, Biden’s health struggles in recent years have raised questions about his ability to serve another term as president. Biden has suffered from a number of health issues, including a heart condition and a stutter that has affected his ability to speak publicly. In addition, Biden has faced criticism for his age and for his sometimes erratic behavior on the campaign trail.
Despite these challenges, Biden remained popular among Democratic voters and had been widely expected to run for president again in 2024. His decision to withdraw from the race has left many Democrats scrambling to find a new candidate to take on Trump in the next election.
One potential candidate who has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Biden is Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris, who served as Biden’s running mate in the 2020 election, is seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party and has been touted as a potential future president. However, Harris has faced criticism for her handling of the border crisis and for her sometimes shaky relationship with Biden.
Other potential candidates who could step into the void left by Biden’s withdrawal include Senators Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, and Cory Booker, as well as former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg. All of these candidates have strong support among Democratic voters and could pose a serious challenge to Trump in 2024.
One thing is clear: Biden’s decision not to run for president in 2024 has shaken up the political landscape and left Democrats scrambling to find a new candidate to take on Trump. While Biden’s health concerns may have played a role in his decision to withdraw from the race, his absence leaves a void that will be difficult to fill. Democrats will need to rally behind a new candidate quickly if they hope to defeat Trump in the next election..
