Biden expresses concern that remaining in the race would be a distraction

In a recent interview, President Biden provided his most detailed reasoning to date for his decision not to run for reelection. He expressed concerns that his candidacy might negatively impact other Democrats competing in the upcoming elections.

During the discussion on CBS Sunday Morning, Biden noted, “The polls we had showed that it was a neck and neck race; it would have been down to the wire.” He emphasized that his decision was influenced by feedback from his Democratic colleagues in Congress who feared his presence in the race could harm their chances. “I was concerned if I stayed in the race, that would be the topic,” he explained. “You’d be interviewing me about why did Nancy Pelosi say, why did so—and—I thought it would be a real distraction, number one.”

The president highlighted another key factor in his decision: the importance of preserving democracy. He firmly believes that defeating former President Trump is critical. When Biden announced on July 21 that he would not be running for reelection, he did so amid mounting pressure from fellow Democrats following a widely perceived poor debate performance against Trump.

Many elected Democrats had encouraged Biden to step aside, raising doubts about his ability to defeat Trump in the general election. Pelosi, who has been a longtime colleague of Biden, has recently spoken out about the situation, asserting that she did not personally call the president to voice her concerns directly. Nonetheless, she has been critical of Biden’s political strategy and described her role as a sounding board for other lawmakers.

Recent polls indicated that Biden was trailing Trump nationally. Key battleground states that Biden had won in 2020, such as Nevada, Arizona, and Georgia, were showing signs of drifting away from his grasp, while critical states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin remained tight races.

Upon announcing his withdrawal from the race, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic candidate. She has rapidly garnered strong support across the party, energizing voters and attracting large crowds at rallies in major cities, including Detroit, Phoenix, Philadelphia, and Las Vegas.

Polling data suggests that Harris has successfully close the gap with Trump, creating a fiercely competitive environment in both national polls and battleground states. Biden’s exit from the race has provided a new momentum for the Democratic campaign, as Harris seeks to rally the party’s base in an election season that promises to be as contentious as ever.

As the political landscape evolves, the focus on Harris’s ability to maintain and build on this momentum will be pivotal. The stakes are high, and her leadership may be crucial in uniting the party and appealing to a broad constituency as the election approaches.

Source: Nexstar Media, Inc.