Biden's Oval Office speech: it's time for 'young voices'

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25/07/24 • 212 Views • 2 Share • Published in News & Politics

President Joe Biden, in his first speech since the end of the campaign, attributed his momentous decision to withdraw from the race to his desire to unite the nation under a new generation of leaders.

Biden made an address to the nation, in which he said that he decided to compromise his own ambitions for the sake of saving American democracy, Bloomberg reports. According to the U.S. President, it's time to pass the baton to the younger generation.
Josh Wingrove (Josh Wingrove).
-The president made his first public statement since the end of the election campaign
-Biden pledged to end the president's term “focused on doing his job”

President Joe Biden, in his first speech since ending his campaign, attributed his momentous decision to exit the race to his desire to unite the nation under a new generation of leaders.

Biden summed up his presidency with an 11-minute speech in the Oval Office in which he staked his position on defending US institutions against Republican Donald Trump. He called his withdrawal from the election race, made under intense pressure from fellow Democrats, an act of self-sacrifice because “nothing can stand in the way of saving our democracy.”
“I decided the best way to move forward was to pass the baton to a new generation,” Biden, 81, said. - That's the best way to unite the nation.”
Biden acknowledged that his decision was a difficult one. He stated that he highly honors his position. But ultimately, the president believes he needs to unify his party and set aside “personal ambition.”
Addressing voters who will cast ballots in the fall, Biden said: “The great thing about America is that kings and dictators don't rule here. It's done by the people. History is in your hands. The power is in your hands.”

Biden went on to admit: “Now is the time and place for new voices, fresh voices, yes - young voices.
These words were an acknowledgement that the poor debate performance had undermined public confidence in the president's ability to serve another four years in office, effectively ending his fifty-year political career.
Such a stunning decision - along with Biden's endorsement of Vice Presidential nominee Kamala Harris - capped a tense month in which the nature of the race changed. It was because of the debate, its aftermath, the assassination attempt on Trump and growing doubts among Democrats about whether they need a new candidate.
Last night was something of a high point in Biden's presidency. Administration staffers gathered at the chief executive's residence to listen to his speech, some crying as he spoke and applauding when he finished. Biden met with them in the Rose Garden after his speech ended, urging them to rally around Harris' candidacy.
The president said he still hopes to accomplish meaningful goals during his remaining six months in office. He said he will call for Supreme Court reform, continue to push for funding for cancer research and fight climate change and gun violence.

“For the next six months, I will be focused on doing my job as president,” Biden said.
In a speech prepared with aides Mike Donilon and Vinay Reddy and historian Jon Meacham, Biden praised Harris, calling her “an incredible partner for me and leader of our country.”
“She's experienced. She's tough. She's capable,” Biden said.
Biden had previously been unable to comment directly on his decision due to the COVID infection that forced him to withdraw from the campaign; instead, the president initially announced his departure in a letter posted on social media.