Praising Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the White House race, former President Barack Obama on Sunday (local time) said it was a testament to the US leader’s “love of country”. Obama, however, also warned of “uncharted waters” ahead of the November 5 election. He said Biden had “every right” to run for reelection and landed the 81-year-old’s record by calling him 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,” the former president said in a statement.
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.
Here’s my full statement: https://t.co/Bs2ZumFXxe
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 21, 2024
Obama said that 16 years ago, when he began his search for a vice president, he knew about Biden’s remarkable career in public service, but over the years while working with him, he came to admire even more his character — “his deep empathy and hard-earned resilience; his fundamental decency and belief that everyone counts.”
“We will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead. But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges,” Obama said
“Internationally, he restored America’s standing in the world, revitalised NATO, and mobilised the world to stand up against Russian aggression in Ukraine,” he added
Obama stressed that Biden’s “outstanding track” record gave the President “every right to run for re-election and finish the job he started.”
However, “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 added.
