Biden puts country before himself, Democrats say | The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

WASHINGTON — Democratic lawmakers on Sunday praised President Joe Biden’s historic decision not to seek re-election, praising him for putting his country and his party above himself. Republicans called on him to resign, saying that if he does not run for another term, he cannot serve as president.

Biden’s announcement came after Democrats had been urging him to withdraw from the race for more than two weeks. Nearly three dozen lawmakers had publicly called on him to end his reelection bid. Others had privately expressed concerns about the consequences for Democrats in lower positions if he stayed in the race. When the president heeded those concerns, Democrats called it a selfless move.

“Joe Biden is not only a great president and a great legislative leader, 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,” Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement.

Republicans have seized on Biden’s poor debate performance last month to lambast him as someone unfit to serve another four years. Now that he is no longer running for president, many have said he should resign from office as well.

“If Joe Biden is not fit to run for president, he is not fit to serve as president. He must leave office immediately. November 5 cannot come soon enough,” House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a statement.

“If the Democratic Party has deemed Joe Biden unfit to run for reelection, he is certainly unfit to control our nuclear codes. Biden must resign immediately,” tweeted Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn.

Biden’s former chief of staff, Ron Klain, called on Democrats to quickly unite around Vice President Kamala Harris as Biden’s natural successor. On social media, he said, “It’s time to end the political fantasy games and unite behind the only veteran of a national campaign.”

But many Democrats made no mention of Harris in their initial statements. Some are calling for an open process in selecting the next Democratic presidential nominee.

Schumer and Sen. Dick Durbin, the top two Democrats in the Senate, have not endorsed Harris.

“Now the Democratic Party must unite behind a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump and move America in the right direction. I will do everything in my power to support that effort,” Durbin said.

Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas, the first House Democrat to call on Biden to resign, said, “President Biden is standing up for America again, putting country before ego in a way that Donald Trump never could.” He said that while Harris is clearly the leading candidate to replace Biden, “we need to be open to all talented individuals who want to be considered.”

SUPPORT FOR HARRIS

However, many Democrats quickly supported Harris.

The leaders of two of the largest Democratic House caucuses, Reps. Pramila Jayapal, chair of the left-leaning Congressional Progressive Caucus, and Annie Kuster, chair of the moderate New Democrat Coalition, endorsed Harris. The endorsements were part of an effort by congressional Democrats to quickly rally behind a nominee and try to put behind them weeks of tension within the party following the June 27 debate.

“Millions of Americans voted for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the primaries. Vice President Harris has proven time and again that she can prosecute Donald Trump and campaign vigorously for Democrats at the ballot box,” Jayapal said in a statement.

At least 10 Democratic senators also quickly endorsed Harris, including Patty Murray of Washington, Mark Warner of Virginia, Chris Murphy of Connecticut and Mazie Hirono of Hawaii.

‘THANK YOU’

Reactions to Biden’s announcement resonated across the country and around the world.

Former President Barack Obama saluted his vice president of eight years.

“Joe Biden has been one of America’s most influential presidents, and a dear friend and partner to me. Today, we are reminded — yet again — that he is a patriot of the highest order,” Obama said.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog sincerely thanked Biden for his support of the Israeli people throughout his long career.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk acknowledged the difficult decision Biden had to make, saying: “Poland, America and the world are safer and democracy is stronger” thanks to the US president.

American voters are also curious about what Biden will do, with polls showing that nearly two-thirds of Democrats believe he should withdraw from the presidential race.

David Strong, a 64-year-old retiree and Democratic voter from Denver who was vacationing in Portland, Oregon, said he was relieved that Biden withdrew from the race after a debate performance he described as “shocking and appalling.”

“I thought it was the best thing to do,” he said. “I just didn’t feel like he was our best chance to beat Trump.”

On Governors Island in New York Harbor, news of Biden’s announcement spread quickly among picnickers.

“I feel sorry for him,” said Jess Carter, 33, a software engineer and Democrat, “but it seems like the right decision.”

“I think it was a good decision. I wish he had done it sooner,” said David Gruber, 35, a marketing consultant and Democrat from Brooklyn.

Information for this article was provided by Farnoush Amiri, Darlene Superville, Mary Clare Jalonick, Claire Rush and Stephanie Nano of The Associated Press.

FILE – President Joe Biden, left, and first lady Jill Biden hold hands as they arrive at Fort Lesley J. McNair, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Washington. President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 White House race on Sunday, July 21, ending his re-election bid after a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about his fitness for office just four months before the election. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

FILE – Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addresses the media at Parliament House in Canberra, Monday, June 17, 2024. As the Asia-Pacific region began to awaken to news of Biden’s withdrawal from the U.S. presidential race on Sunday, July 21, another staunch U.S. ally, Australian Prime Minister Albanese, thanked Biden for his leadership and “continued service” and noted the countries’ shared commitment to democratic values. (Lukas Coch/Pool Photo via AP, File)

A handmade sign for Vice President Kamala Harris appears on a lawn, Sunday, July 21, 2024, in Washington. She has already broken barriers and now Harris could soon become the first Black woman to lead a major party’s presidential ticket after President Joe Biden ended his re-election bid. Harris, 59, was endorsed by Biden on Sunday after he stepped aside amid widespread concerns about the viability of his candidacy. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)