As he makes his way to a reception to express gratitude to his campaign workers, President Joe Biden descends the steps of Air Force One at Delaware Air National Guard Base in New Castle, Delaware, on August 8, 2024. | Atty. Susan Walsh
In his first interview after stepping down from the contest, Joe Biden referred to himself as a “transition president” and said that he was afraid he may lose Democratic congressional seats due to party infighting.
Speaking in a pre-recorded interview that was broadcast on “CBS Sunday Morning” with Robert Costa, Biden stated that he withdrew from the campaign due to his concern about potentially becoming a “distraction” for candidates farther down the ballot, mentioning Nancy Pelosi by name.
Several of my Democratic colleagues in the Senate and House were worried that I would undermine their chances of winning their respective seats. In addition, Biden anticipated being asked about Pelosi’s involvement if he remained in the race, which was a source of stress for him. “I was hoping it would serve as a welcome diversion.”
According to the president, this, together with his belief in himself as a “transition president,” was the deciding factor in his decision to not seek reelection. It followed dozens of Democrats demanding that Biden step down as party nominee following his dismal performance in the most recent debate, which occurred at a time when he was losing ground in the polls to Trump.
I considered myself to be a transition president when I stood for office the first time. My exact age eludes me. “I can’t seem to get it out of my system,” Biden remarked. “But because everything was happening so fast, it — never happened.”
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who was considered for the position of running partner by Vice President Kamala Harris, will also be joining him on his campaign tour, he revealed.
Pennsylvania was my birthplace, therefore we really must win there. The two of us are planning a campaign visit through Pennsylvania, Biden announced. “And I will do my best to assist in any way that Kamala sees fit.”
According to AWN’s earlier reporting, Harris sought Biden’s endorsement in some states that he won in 2020, like Pennsylvania, particularly among white seniors. Biden is anticipated to make his inaugural campaign appearance shortly following his speech at the Democratic National Convention. Following that, he is anticipated to have a streamlined campaign schedule this autumn, selectively visiting areas such as Pennsylvania.
When asked about the possibility of a peaceful handover of power in January 2025 in the event of Trump’s defeat, Biden used some of his harshest words yet in denouncing the president. During his campaign, he frequently referred to the president as a “threat to democracy.” However, on Sunday, he further stated that Trump poses a threat to “American security.”
Hear me out. “Watch what happens if he wins… this election,” Biden said. “It poses a risk. He poses a serious threat to the safety of the United States.
