Former President Barack Obama called his former vice president a “patriot of the highest order” on Sunday after the president announced his decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race following weeks of pressure from inside the Democratic party.
“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,” Obama said.
The former president had high praise for Biden’s accomplishments in office in a post published to Medium.
“He helped end the pandemic, created millions of jobs, lowered the cost of prescription drugs, passed the first major piece of gun safety legislation in 30 years, made the biggest investment to address climate change in history, and fought to ensure the rights of working people to organize for fair wages and benefits. Internationally, he restored America’s standing in the world, revitalized NATO, and mobilized the world to stand up against Russian aggression in Ukraine,” Obama said.
“I also know Joe has never backed down from a fight. 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,” the former president continued.
Obama, 62, initially encouraged allies to stick with Biden in the wake of his disastrous debate performance on June 27.
“Bad debate nights happen. Trust me, I know,” Obama wrote on X, referring to his own lackluster debate against Mitt Romney in 2012.
The latest on President Biden’s decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race:
- Biden drops out of presidential race after Democratic revolt following disastrous debate: ‘Best interest of the country’
- Biden drops out of presidential race: live updates
- Trump slams Biden as ‘worst president in history’ after incumbent drops re-election bid
- Biden offers ‘full endorsement’ of Kamala Harris as 2024 Democratic nominee after dropping out
- A look back at Biden’s more than 50-year career in politics
“But this election is still a choice between someone who has fought for ordinary folks his entire life and someone who only cares about himself,” he insisted.
“Between someone who tells the truth; who knows right from wrong and will give it to the American people straight — and someone who lies through his teeth for his own benefit.
“Last night didn’t change that, and it’s why so much is at stake in November.”
But by mid-July, even Obama had reportedly turned on Biden in the face of mounting concerns about his mental and physical fitness.
The 44th president supposedly warned Biden his chances of defeating Republican candidate Donald Trump in November were “greatly diminished” — telling the incumbent he was worried about the former vice president’s legacy.
What to know about President Biden’s decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race:
- President Biden announced Sunday he is dropping out of the 2024 presidential race — after weeks of prominent Democrats and donors calling on him to withdraw following his disastrous performance in the first presidential debate.
- In a letter posted on X Sunday afternoon, Biden admitted that it is in the “best interest of my party and country” for him to step down as the Democratic nominee.
- Biden wrote that he intends to serve out the remainder of his term and will address the country on his decision later this week.
- In a follow-up X post, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the suddenly open Democratic nomination. “Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year,” the president wrote.
- Former President Donald Trump reacted to the news by labeling Biden the “worst president in the history of our country” in a call with CNN.
Obama also reportedly knew in advance about Hollywood heavyweight George Clooney’s explosive New York Times op-ed calling for Biden to step off the ticket, but did not voice any objection.
Obama commiserated privately with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi about their growing concerns, sources told CNN.
“They are watching and waiting for President Biden to reach a decision on his own,” a longtime Democrat close to Obama, Pelosi and Biden told the outlet.
Biden was said to be hurt by the top Democrats’ doubts about his viability – and his camp responded with an excoriating retort.
“Can we all just remember for a minute that these same people who are trying to push Joe Biden out are the same people who literally gave us all Donald Trump?” a source close to Biden scoffed to NBC News.
“In 2015, Obama, Pelosi, Schumer pushed Biden aside in favor of Hillary; they were wrong then, and they are wrong now,” they added.
Another source close to Biden added that it “stung” when Biden was passed over by Obama for a White House run in 2016 – which could influence his decision to back his own VP, Kamala Harris, for the presidential spot.
Obama, in his post to Medium, said “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.
“For now, Michelle and I just want to express our love and gratitude to Joe and Jill for leading us so ably and courageously during these perilous times — and for their commitment to the ideals of freedom and equality that this country was founded on.”