Former president Barack Obama praised President Joe Biden, describing him as “a patriot of the highest order” following Biden’s shocking decision to abandon his 2024 presidential reelection campaign.
Vice-president and potential Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and Bill and Hillary Clinton have also released statements to thank Mr Biden for his years of service.
Biden announced his historic decision earlier on Sunday, bowing to pressure from within his own party after a disastrous debate against Donald Trump.
He said it was in the “best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down”.
Obama said Biden’s decision proves his former vice president is a “patriot of the highest order.”
“Joe Biden has been one of America’s most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me. Today, we’ve also been reminded — again — that he’s a patriot of the highest order,” he wrote. “Since taking office, President Biden has displayed that character again and again.”
Continuing, Obama noted Biden delivered the country from “four years of chaos, falsehood, and division that had characterized Donald Trump’s administration.” Americans, Obama wrote, should remain united against Trump following Biden’s decision.
“Joe understands better than anyone the stakes in this election — how everything he has fought for throughout his life, and everything that the Democratic Party stands for, will be at risk if we allow Donald Trump back in the White House and give Republicans control of Congress,” he wrote.
Why Biden Backed Down – Obama
“I also know Joe has never backed down from a fight,” he added. “For him to look at the political landscape and decide that he should pass the torch to a new nominee is surely one of the toughest in his life. But I know he wouldn’t make this decision unless he believed it was right for America. It’s a testament to Joe Biden’s love of country — and a historic example of a genuine public servant once again putting the interests of the American people ahead of his own that future generations of leaders will do well to follow.”
Obama closed by sharing his “love and gratitude” for Joe and Jill Biden. He noted he also has “extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges.”
