Biden Reveals Pressure from Democratic Colleagues Influenced Decision to Drop Out of Race

President Biden stated that pressure from Democratic colleagues, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, contributed to his decision to withdraw from the presidential campaign.

President Biden provided further insights into his decision to drop out of the presidential race during an interview with CBS News on Sunday, August 11, 2024. He revealed that concerns raised by Democratic colleagues influenced his choice.

Biden explained that several Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate expressed belief that his campaign would negatively impact their own races down-ballot.

Biden Reveals Pressure from Democratic Colleagues Influenced Decision to Drop Out of Race

"I was concerned that if I stayed in the race, that would be the topic, you'd be interviewing me about why did Nancy Pelosi say -why did - and I thought it'd be a real distraction," Biden told CBS News' Bob Costa.

Based on polls, Biden indicated that the race would have been neck-and-neck, a competitive down to the wire.

Biden Reveals Pressure from Democratic Colleagues Influenced Decision to Drop Out of Race

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been reported to have privately urged Biden to drop out following his first debate with Donald Trump.

"The polls we had showed that it was a neck-and-neck race, it would have been down to the wire," Biden said.

Biden Reveals Pressure from Democratic Colleagues Influenced Decision to Drop Out of Race

Pelosi has since denied telling Biden to drop out, stating instead that she advised him to improve his campaign strategy.

"We did not have a campaign that was on the path to victory. Members knew that in their districts," Pelosi said.

Biden expressed his initial view of himself as a transitional president, but acknowledged that events moved quickly and he ultimately did not fulfill that role.

"When I ran the first time, I thought of myself as being a transition president. I can't even say how old I am. It's hard for me to get out of my mouth," Biden said.

Despite initially resisting pressure from Democratic colleagues, Pelosi's remarks on MSNBC seemingly reopened the discussion about replacing Biden on the ticket.

Pelosi indicated that it was not her intention to publicly pressure Biden, but acknowledged that it may have prompted further debate.

"He may think that my statement unleashed something — I don't know, because I haven't spoken to him since," Pelosi said.