Transcript
The Inside Story: Biden Ends Reelection Bid
Episode 154 – July 25, 2024
Show Open:
This week on The Inside Story…
U.S. President Joe Biden calls it quits, as he announces he will no longer seek a second term in the White House.
The head of the Secret Service resigns one day after a bipartisan beating in congress over the failed assassination attempt on Former President Trump.
Plus, a global computer outage and Russia jails two American journalists in a trial widely viewed as a sham.
NOW, ON The Inside Story… Biden Ends His Reelection Bid.
The Inside Story:
ANITA POWELL, VOA White House Correspondent:
Hi, I’m VOA Correspondent Anita Powell.
It is difficult to overstate the political importance of the last two weeks in American politics.
Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt on Saturday July 13th.
Less than ten days later, President Joe Biden announced he would not run for re-election. Biden instead endorsed his Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic Party’s candidate to face Donald Trump in November.
President Biden discussed his decision and his hopes for the future of the party and the country in an address to the nation on Wednesday.
U.S President Joe Biden made the stunning decision to exit the presidential race from behind a screen, choosing to drop the news online.
Three days later, in an Oval Office speech that was at times hopeful, at times determined and at times wistful, he explained why. Biden spoke of his five decades in public office, touted his presidential record of domestic and political achievements, but then called for energetic new leadership to face tomorrow’s challenges.
President Joe Biden:
Nothing – nothing – can come in the way of saving our democracy. That includes personal ambition. So I decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. It’s the best way to unite our nation. You know, there is a time and a place for long years of experience in public life. There's also a time and a place for new voices. Fresh voices. Yes, younger voices. And that time and place is now.
ANITA POWELL:
Biden also thanked Vice President Kamala Harris, who has taken to the campaign trail with his endorsement and enough delegate pledges to net the nomination. He described her as “experienced,” “tough” and “capable” but added, “the choice is up to you.”
He did not name-check the Republican in the race. But analysts say Biden’s stark warnings all point to one man.
Jennifer Mercieca, Texas A&M University:
He talked about polarization. He talked about violence and political violence. Those are all things that harken back to [former President] Donald Trump and his presidency. He talked about the threats facing the nation when he first took office, in January 2021. And so that was certainly about Donald Trump. But yeah, this wasn't a place for him to talk about Donald Trump. It wasn't a place for him to give a campaign speech.
ANITA POWELL:
The president said his job now will focus on domestic challenges like civil rights and voter freedom, gun safety reforms, the quest to end cancer and Supreme Court reform.
He also cited myriad challenges the U.S. faces abroad, with wars raging in Gaza and Ukraine, and China becoming more emboldened in the Indo-Pacific.
Those foreign fires, analysts say, are likely to burn in the minds of concerned voters.
Thomas Schwartz, Vanderbilt University:
That's really the concern I think people will have, which is: how does a lame-duck president deal with foreign policy crises?”
ANITA POWELL:
We’ll find out Thursday, when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the White House. The Israeli leader is also holding two other meetings while in the U.S., with Harris and Trump.
But for the final act of this presidency, Biden remains the protagonist on America’s biggest stage.
Jim Kessler, Third Way:
He's like an athlete that is going to make the Hall of Fame and is retiring and, you know, gets the cheers from the crowds, finally, for a long, 50-year tremendous career.
ANITA POWELL:
Biden clearly understood that this address would be a dramatic peak. So, he used his final words to break the fourth wall, with a message as old as America:
President Joe Biden:
The great thing about America is here, kings and dictators do not rule, the people do. History is in your hands. The power is in your hands. The idea of America lies in your hands.
After Biden’s announcement on Sunday, there were some initial discussions among pundits and democratic leaders about who would replace him.