Biden’s decision to withdraw from presidential race stirs mixed emotions

Some reactions from American politicians, industry, advocacy groups and other observers to President Joe Biden’s decision not to participate in the presidential election on Sunday:

Former President Donald Trump: In a phone call with CNN, minutes after Biden announced his withdrawal from the 2024 race, former President Trump responded, “He’s the worst president in the history of our country. He’s going to go down as the single worst president in the history of our country.” He also said he thought Vice President Kamala Harris would be easier to beat than Biden.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer: “Joe Biden is not only a great president and a great legislative leader, but he is also a truly great human being. His decision was not easy, of course, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first. Joe, today shows that you are a true patriot and a great American.”

Elise Stefanik, Chair of the Republican Conference in the House of Representatives: “If Joe Biden is unable to run for re-election, he is incapable and unfit to serve as President of the United States. He must resign immediately.”

Gavin Newsom, Governor of California: “President Biden has been an extraordinary, history-making president — a leader who fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans. He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents,” Newsom posted on X.

Donald Trump Jr.: “Kamala Harris owns all of Joe Biden’s left wing policies. The only difference is she’s more liberal and incompetent than Joe and that’s saying something. She was appointed border patrol agent and we saw the worst invasion of illegals in our history!!!” Donald Jr. said on X.

Erich Pica, Chairman of Friends Of The Earth Action: “We thank President Biden for his decades of leadership and support the decision to end his re-election campaign…
“The stakes in this election remain the same: Trump is an existential threat to our democracy and the planet and would guarantee a full descent into climate chaos.”

Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan: “President Biden is a great public servant who knows better than anyone what it will take to defeat Donald Trump… My job in this election remains the same: to do everything I can to get Democrats elected and stop Donald Trump, a convicted felon whose agenda of raising family costs, banning abortion nationwide and abusing the power of the White House to settle his own scores is utterly wrong for Michigan,” Whitmer said on X.

Dick Durbin, senator and faction leader: “Throughout his public career, Joe Biden has always put country first. His four years in office made clear that he was determined to get our country back on track and restore the soul of our nation. America will be eternally grateful for all he has given this country,” Durbin wrote on X.

Jay Timmons, President and CEO, National Association Of Manufacturers: “We have seen significant growth in manufacturing jobs in recent years, and there are now more manufacturing jobs in America than at any time since 2008. We will continue to work with President Biden until he passes the torch to the next commander in chief,” Timmons said in a statement.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise: “The Democratic Party bosses just proved they have absolutely no respect for their own voters. After lecturing others about democracy, they removed Joe Biden from the ballot, ruining the primary choice of 14 million of their own voters,” Scalise, a Republican, said on X.

Naomi Biden, granddaughter of Joe Biden: “I am nothing but proud today of my Pop, our President, Joe Biden, who has served our country with all his soul and with unmatched distinction. He has not only been and will continue to be the most effective president of our lifetime, but he has already established himself as arguably the most effective and impactful public servant in the history of our country,” Biden posted on X.

Voters of tomorrow: The Gen Z-led organization that says it engages young Americans in politics and government praised Biden “for delivering the most pro-youth agenda in American history.”
“We are ready to mobilize young people to elect Kamala Harris as president,” the group said.
(REUTERS)