By Damilare Adeleye
United States President, Joe Biden, has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democrats nominee for the presidential election.
Biden’s nomination of Harris comes shortly after he withdrew from the presidential race following public pressure, particularly from his party members.
In a post on his X account on Sunday, Biden said picking Harris as his running mate in 2020 was the best decision he ever made.
He said, “My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term.
“My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best decision I’ve made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.”
Similarly, former US President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have expressed their support for Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for the presidential election.
The Clintons expressed their support for Kamala Harris’ candidacy, stating that they believe her election is crucial for America’s future.
They also expressed concerns about the potential consequences of a second term for Republican Donald Trump, citing his past statements and actions.
In a statement on Sunday, the former first couple said, “We are honored to join the President in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do whatever we can to support her.
“We’ve lived through many ups and downs, but nothing has made us more worried for our country than the threat posed by a second Trump term. He has promised to be a dictator on day one, and the recent ruling by his servile Supreme Court will only embolden him to further shred the Constitution. Now is the time to support Kamala Harris and fight with everything we’ve got to elect her. America’s future depends on it.”
Bill and Hillary praised Biden, who withdrew from the presidential race on Sunday, saying he “capped his extraordinary career of service with a Presidency that has lifted America out of an unprecedented pandemic, created millions of new jobs, rebuilt a battered economy, strengthened our democracy, and restored our standing in the world”.
They said, “By any measure, he has advanced our founders’ charge to build a more perfect union and his own stated goal of restoring the soul of our nation.
“We join millions of Americans in thanking President Biden for all he has accomplished, standing up for America time and again, with his North Star always being what’s best for the country.”
Earlier on Sunday, Biden withdrew from the presidential race.
Biden had faced pressure to withdraw from the race since his debate with rival Donald Trump which was recently organised by CNN, in which many adjudged the president to have performed woefully.
There have also been speculations that age has caught up with him.
In a statement on Sunday addressed to Americans, Biden said he would step down and focus on the reminder of his time in office.
He said, “Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation.
“Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We’ve made historic investments in rebuilding our Nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans. We’ve provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years.
“Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today.
“I know none of this could have been done without you, the American people. Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We’ve protected and preserved our Democracy. And we’ve revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world.
“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.
“I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision.
“For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me.
“I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can’t do – when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America.”