Biden Ends Bid for Second Term, Endorses Kamala Harris as Successor

President Joe Biden has announced he will not run for re-election in 2024, citing the need to unite the party and pass the torch to a new generation. Biden slightly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor, saying she is "experienced, tough, and capable."

President Joe Biden has announced that he will not run for re-election in 2024, ending months of speculation about his political future. In a televised address to the nation on Wednesday night, Biden said his decision was made after careful consideration and comes after he battled COVID-19 and helped the country recover from the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

Biden, who has faced criticism from both Republicans and Democrats over his physical appearances and mental acuity, did not mention any personal reasons for his decision. Instead, he emphasized the need to unite the Democratic party and pass the torch to a new generation of leaders.

Biden Ends Bid for Second Term, Endorses Kamala Harris as Successor

"I've made my choice. I've made my views known," Biden said from the White House. "In just a few months, the American people will choose the course of America's future. I would like to thank our great vice president, Kamala Harris. She is experienced, she is tough, she is capable. She's been an incredible partner to me and a leader for our country."

Biden's decision leaves Harris as the presumed Democratic candidate to run against former President Donald Trump in the general election this fall. Harris, who was elected alongside Biden in 2020, is a former prosecutor and senator from California.

Biden Ends Bid for Second Term, Endorses Kamala Harris as Successor

Biden's announcement comes as the country faces a number of challenges, including rising inflation, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and the war in Ukraine. In his speech, Biden urged Americans to come together and address these challenges.

"We're facing a critical moment in our history. We can't afford to divide ourselves," Biden said. "We need to come together as one nation, as one people, and address these challenges head-on."

Biden Ends Bid for Second Term, Endorses Kamala Harris as Successor

Biden's decision to not run for re-election sets the stage for a competitive Democratic primary in 2024. A number of potential candidates, including Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, have already expressed interest in running.

The Republican field is also expected to be crowded, with Trump and other potential candidates, such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former Vice President Mike Pence, vying for the nomination.

The 2024 election is shaping up to be one of the most consequential in recent history. The outcome will have a significant impact on the direction of the country and the future of the Democratic and Republican parties.