Tag: KamalaHarris2024

Biden Exits 2024 Race, Endorses Harris: Global Leaders React to Historic Decision Amidst Political Upheaval

Staff ReporterWorld 0

Messages of appreciation and solidarity for U.S. President Joe Biden surged following his unexpected announcement on Sunday that he is withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic candidate. This marked the second major political upheaval in the U.S. in just over a week, coming on the heels of the July 13 assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally, which saw international leaders rallying around him as the Republican nominee.

Biden’s decision to exit the race came after intense pressure, largely fueled by his poor performance in the CNN presidential debate last month. On Sunday, Biden confirmed his stance to remain a one-term president, triggering a wave of tributes from global allies who expressed their gratitude for his leadership.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who recently met with Biden in Washington, expressed his respect for the president’s choice and anticipation for continued collaboration throughout his remaining term. Starmer stated on X, “I know that, as he has done throughout his remarkable career, he will have made his decision based on what he believes is best for the American people.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau praised Biden as a “true friend” to Canada, highlighting his dedication and love for his country. “He’s a great man, and everything he does is guided by his love for his country,” Trudeau wrote on X.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remarked that Biden deserved acknowledgment for “once again not putting himself forward first, but giving his first consideration to being what he believes is in the interests of the United States of America, as he has done his whole public life.” Albanese continued, “President Biden has dedicated his life to public service, and that is something that deserves much respect.”

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon also paid tribute to Biden, noting on X, “President Biden has dedicated his life to public service, and that is something that deserves much respect.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky lauded Biden for his “unwavering support” amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia. Zelensky stated on X, “Many strong decisions have been made in recent years and they will be remembered as bold steps taken by President Biden in response to challenging times. We will always be thankful for President Biden’s leadership.”

In contrast, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed that Moscow was “not too surprised” by Biden’s withdrawal. Peskov told reporters, “In recent years, what has been happening in the United States has taught us not to be surprised by anything.” He added, “This topic should concern American voters, but not us,” emphasizing the importance of Russian-American relations, which are currently at a historic low.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed that Israel will remain “an irreplaceable ally” of the U.S. regardless of the election outcome. Speaking from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport before heading to the U.S., Netanyahu expressed gratitude to Biden “for the things he did for the state of Israel, both in the war and during his years of service as a senator, as vice president and as president.”

President Isaac Herzog labeled Biden as a “true ally of the Jewish people,” and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant praised Biden’s “steadfast backing, especially during the war,” in posts on X. Biden has been a strong supporter of Israel’s actions in Gaza following Hamas’ attacks on October 7 but has faced criticism from Netanyahu over humanitarian aid and civilian casualties.

Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris described Biden as “a proud American with an Irish soul,” appreciating his “global leadership” and “friendship.”

Other leaders commended Biden for his challenging decision to withdraw from the race. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on X, “My friend Joe Biden has achieved a lot: for his country, for Europe, for the world. His decision not to run again deserves respect.”

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro praised Biden’s “correct” choice to prioritize his family and health, wishing him “health and a long life” during a rally on Sunday.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk acknowledged Biden’s difficult decisions, noting on X that these choices have contributed to a safer world and stronger democracy. “I know you were driven by the same motivations when announcing your final decision. Probably the most difficult one,” Tusk wrote.

South Korean and Japanese leaders opted not to comment on the internal U.S. political situation but emphasized the importance of continued collaboration with the White House. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida noted, “I recognize that President Biden’s decision is based on his desire to make the best possible political decision. The Japan-US alliance is the cornerstone of our nation’s diplomatic security, and we will continue to monitor it closely.”

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s office stated that they will “continue to work closely with the US to further develop the South Korea-US global comprehensive strategic alliance.”

Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. described Biden’s withdrawal as a sign of “genuine statesmanship” and thanked him for his unwavering support for the Philippines amid a challenging period. “We thank him for his constant and unwavering support for the Philippines in a delicate and difficult time,” Marcos wrote on X. The Philippines, a treaty ally of the U.S., has faced increasing tensions with Chinese vessels in the South China Sea.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping had not issued an official statement by Monday morning. However, “Biden dropping out of the election” was the leading topic on Weibo, China’s equivalent to X, with related discussions, including those about Kamala Harris and Trump’s assassination attempt, accumulating over 400 million views.

Chinese social media users speculated eagerly about the prospect of a female U.S. president while others believed Trump would win regardless of the Democratic candidate. One Weibo user remarked, “The shot was definitely a good deal for Trump!” Another user observed, “That one shot didn’t kill Trump but dropped Biden,” with another describing the U.S. political situation as “a total mess.”

Biden Ends Reelection Bid, Endorses Harris as Successor Amid Growing Concerns Over His Fitness

Staff ReporterUSA 0

US President Joe Biden concluded his reelection bid on Sunday after growing skepticism among Democrats about his mental sharpness and his ability to defeat Donald Trump, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor.

In a statement on X, Biden, 81, announced that he will continue serving as President and Commander-in-Chief until his term concludes in January 2025. He also plans to address the nation later this week.

Biden expressed, “It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”

Initially, Biden’s statement did not include an endorsement for Harris. However, shortly after, he expressed his support for her, stating, “My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best…”

Harris, 59, would make history as the first Black woman to head a major party’s presidential ticket. The potential challenge she may face is whether other prominent Democrats will vie for the nomination, or if the party will opt to open the field for new contenders.

Biden’s decision comes after increasing pressure from Democratic leaders and lawmakers, spurred by his underwhelming performance in a June 27 debate against Trump, 78. His struggles to articulate clear sentences overshadowed Trump’s falsehoods and shifted focus onto Biden’s suitability for another term.

Biden’s interview shortly after the debate, where he dismissed concerns and stated he would be content losing to Trump if he felt he had given his all, did little to quell apprehensions. His gaffes at a NATO summit, where he confused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy with Russian President Vladimir Putin and mistakenly referred to Harris as “Vice President Trump,” only heightened fears.

Adding to the turmoil, Biden was diagnosed with COVID-19 for a third time just days before his announcement, leading to a shortened campaign trip to Las Vegas. Over 10% of congressional Democrats publicly urged him to withdraw.

Biden’s resignation from the reelection race is unprecedented for a sitting president since Lyndon Johnson in March 1968, leaving his replacement with under four months to campaign.

Should Harris be nominated, it would represent a significant risk for the Democratic Party: presenting its first Black and Asian American woman as a candidate in a nation with a history of electing one Black president and no women presidents over more than two centuries.

Biden, who was the oldest president ever elected when he defeated Trump in 2020, had positioned himself as a transitional figure to usher in a new generation of Democratic leadership. This led to some speculation that he would serve only one term. Nevertheless, he pursued a second term, believing he was the Democrats’ best chance to defeat Trump once more amid doubts about Harris’s experience and popularity. However, Biden’s age became increasingly evident, with his gait appearing unsteady and his childhood stutter occasionally resurfacing.

His team had hoped that a strong performance in the June 27 debate would address age-related concerns, but it only exacerbated them. A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted post-debate revealed that around 40% of Democrats believed he should exit the race.

Donors began withdrawing support, and Harris’s backers began to consolidate. Key Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, advised Biden that he could not win the election.

Despite initially resisting calls to step down, Biden engaged in damage control through calls, meetings with lawmakers, and rare TV interviews, but it was insufficient. Polls indicated Trump’s lead was expanding in crucial battleground states, leading to fears of a potential Democratic defeat in the House and Senate. On July 17, California Representative Adam Schiff called for Biden to withdraw.

Biden’s departure sets the stage for a significant contrast between the Democrats’ likely new nominee, Harris—a former prosecutor—and Trump, who at 78 is two decades older and faces multiple criminal charges related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Trump is scheduled to be sentenced in September in New York for trying to cover up a hush-money payment.

Earlier this year, Biden secured the Democratic nomination for president with little opposition despite concerns about his age. However, his unwavering support for Israel’s military actions in Gaza alienated some party members, particularly younger, progressive Democrats and voters of color.

Many Black voters felt Biden had not sufficiently addressed their needs, and overall enthusiasm for a second Biden term was low. Prior to the debate with Trump, Biden was trailing in some national polls and in key battleground states necessary for a victory on November 5.

Harris had been tasked with reaching out to these voters in recent months.

During the Democratic primary, Biden accumulated over 3,600 delegates for the convention in Chicago, surpassing the 1,976 needed to secure the nomination. If the Democratic Party does not alter its rules, delegates pledged to Biden will enter the convention “uncommitted,” thus allowing them to vote for his successor.

The party also has “superdelegates,” influential senior officials and elected leaders whose support, although limited on the first ballot, could become decisive in subsequent rounds.

In 2020, Biden triumphed over Trump by securing pivotal battleground states such as Pennsylvania and Georgia, and won the popular vote by over 7 million votes, capturing 51.3% compared to Trump’s 46.8%.

Democrats Face Historic Decision: Kamala Harris as Presidential Candidate Amid Challenges of Race and Gender

Staff ReporterWomen 0

The Democratic Party faces a historic decision if it turns to Vice President Kamala Harris as its presidential candidate, navigating a complex landscape of racism, sexism, and her past political challenges in an attempt to defeat Republican Donald Trump.

President Joe Biden, 81, declared on Sunday that he would end his campaign for reelection but remain in office for the remainder of his term. Concurrently, he endorsed Harris in a post on X, formerly Twitter. Biden stated, “My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best decision I’ve made,” and continued, “Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year.”

This decision follows mounting pressure from Democratic lawmakers and donors who questioned Biden’s ability to endure another four-year term due to concerns about his mental and physical stamina.

In over two centuries of American democracy, the electorate has chosen only one Black president and never a woman, raising questions even among some Black voters about whether Harris can shatter these enduring barriers. LaTosha Brown, a political strategist and co-founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund, acknowledged this challenge, saying, “Will her race and gender be an issue? Absolutely.”

Harris would face significant obstacles if promoted to the top of the ticket. With less than three months to campaign, she must unite the party and secure financial support. Despite these hurdles, many Democrats view her potential candidacy with optimism. At 59, Harris is notably younger than Trump and stands out as a leader in the party on abortion rights, an issue that resonates with younger voters and the progressive base. Advocates believe her candidacy would energize these voters, consolidate Black support, and leverage her strong debating skills to challenge Trump effectively. Brown pointed out, “That to me is reflective of America’s past. She is reflective of America’s now and future,” contrasting Harris’s candidacy with Trump and his vice presidential running mate, Senator J.D. Vance, both of whom are white.

Nonetheless, Harris’s initial years in office and brief 2020 campaign for the Democratic nomination have left some Democrats apprehensive. There are concerns about her ability to overcome the historical baggage of racial and gender discrimination in the U.S.

In a July 15-16 Reuters/Ipsos poll, Harris and Trump were tied at 44% support each, following an assassination attempt against Trump. In the same poll, Trump led Biden 43% to 41%, within the margin of error. Harris’s approval ratings are slightly higher than Biden’s, with 38.6% of Americans approving of her compared to 50.4% disapproving, whereas Biden has 38.5% approval and 56.2% disapproval.

Representative Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, a Biden supporter, expressed skepticism about Harris’s potential support, stating on Instagram, “If you think that there is consensus among the people who want Joe Biden to leave that they will support Kamala – Vice President Harris – you would be mistaken. There’s no safe option.”

Barack Obama remains the only Black president elected in the U.S., and Hillary Clinton was the sole woman to lead a major party’s presidential ticket, losing to Trump in 2016. Harris, the first woman and the first Black and South Asian person to serve as vice president, has faced and weathered unfair attacks related to her race and gender, according to her supporters. Jamal Simmons, a former aide to Harris, noted, “America has a history of racism, sexism, so I’m sure that will factor into this conversation, factor into her campaign,” adding that there is potential for Black voters and women to rally behind her candidacy, benefiting from her race and gender.

Harris has greater name recognition compared to other potential Democratic candidates, such as California Governor Gavin Newsom and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Simmons argued, “While she has flaws and faults like everyone, we know those flaws and faults, so you can build a campaign with clarity. Any other candidates are complete unknowns.”

A former Democratic lawmaker, who spoke anonymously, viewed Harris as a bigger risk due to her record rather than her race, citing early staff turnover and limited progress on key issues. The former lawmaker remarked, “I think the race thing is just a compounding factor or an exacerbating factor,” expressing a preference for another candidate despite recognizing the risks.

Critics have accused Trump of employing racist and sexist rhetoric. In 2020, he claimed Harris, a U.S. citizen born in California, did not qualify to be a vice presidential candidate. At a recent rally in Michigan, Trump derided Harris’s mannerisms, calling her “Laughing Kamala” and criticizing her laugh as “crazy.” Trump’s campaign dismissed these criticisms as “classic disinformation” and highlighted Trump’s strong polling among African Americans, according to senior adviser Jason Miller.

Trump’s previous “birtherism” claims against Obama, which falsely questioned his birthplace, garnered significant traction among far-right activists and his nationalist base. Cliff Albright, co-founder and CEO of Black Voters Matter Fund, referred to this pattern as “birtherism 2.0” regarding Harris. Nadia Brown, director of the women’s and gender studies program at Georgetown University, emphasized the persistence of reluctance to accept women, particularly Black women, in prominent leadership roles, stating, “Patriarchy is a hell of a drug.”

Despite these challenges, Harris’s standing within the party has improved due to her vocal defense of reproductive rights following the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Biden credited her efforts with helping to avert a significant Republican wave in the midterm elections, and Harris has actively campaigned on abortion rights.

Harris could potentially inherit Biden’s strong support among Black voters, who were crucial to his 2020 nomination. However, if the Democratic Party coalesces around her, she may face criticism from voters who believe the party concealed Biden’s weaknesses. Gina Gannon, a 65-year-old retiree from Georgia who voted for Trump in 2016 and Biden in 2020, expressed dissatisfaction, saying, “I’m kind of done with the Democrats. So many knew about Biden’s condition and hid it. Kamala was part of that.”

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