In a stunning turn of events, President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he will not seek reelection in the 2024 US presidential race, effectively stepping aside in favour of Vice President Kamala Harris. The announcement has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, as Bidens decision marks a significant shift in the Democratic Partys strategy against former President Donald Trump.Bidens endorsement of Kamala Harris as the new Democratic presidential candidate comes after a particularly challenging debate against Trump. Bidens performance in the debate was widely criticised, and he faced increasing pressure from within his own party to reconsider his candidature. Many Democratic lawmakers voiced concerns over his ability to serve another term, citing his performance and the relentless attacks from the Republican Party.Internal reactions and strategic meetingsAccording to The Washington Post, the first person Biden informed of his decision was Vice President Harris. Following this, Biden held one-on-one meetings with key figures, including White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients and his campaign chair, Jen OMalley Dillon. Zients subsequently convened a meeting of Bidens campaign and White House staff to officially announce the presidents decision.The decision came after a weekend of intensive discussions at Bidens vacation house, where he consulted with White House Counsellor Steve Ricchetti, Senior Campaign Adviser Mike Donilon, Deputy Chief of Staff Annie Tomasini, and Senior Adviser to the First Lady Anthony Bernal.Bidens debate performance on June 27 against Trump was a pivotal moment, leading to increasing calls for him to step down as the Democratic candidate. Despite attributing his lackluster performance to jet lag and international travel, the president faced mounting pressure from within his party. Over the past week, 36 congressional Democrats publicly urged Biden to withdraw, concerned about his mental acuity and the potential impact on the partys chances in the upcoming elections.A change of heartSources told Reuters that Biden had a last minute change of heart. Up until Saturday night, he had intended to continue his campaign. However, after several meetings with his top advisors on Sunday afternoon, he decided to withdraw from the race.Bidens decision reflects the complex and high-stakes nature of the upcoming election, as the Democratic Party rallies behind a new candidate to challenge Trump in 2024.
