'Passing the Torch to New Generation...': Biden Explains Why he Dropped Out of Presidential Race

Washington: Ending long suspense over why he dropped out of the 2024 US Presidential race, President Joe Biden on Wednesday, July 25, in his first address post-exit and recovering from COVID-19 stated that he put his "personal ambition" aside to save "democracy" by ending his re-election campaign by passing the torch to the new generation.

"I believe my record as president, my leadership in the world, my vision for America's future, all merited a second term. But nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy," he said. "That includes personal ambition."

The best way forward, Biden said is "to pass the torch to a new generation".

"That's the best way to unite our nation. There's 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 and yes, younger voices," he added.

The US President began his remarks at the White House, speaking from the Resolute Desk at the Oval Office. He said that he is surrounded by portraits of "extraordinary" Americans including former president Abraham Lincoln and more.

"I revere this office, but I love my country more. It's been the honour of my life to serve this country as President," he said.

He added that the "sacred task of perfecting our union" is for Americans and their families.

Biden Vows to Do the Rest of His Term

In his address, the President pledged to Americans that for the next remaining six months, "I'll be focused on doing my job as president."

He asserted that he would stand up "from the right to vote, to the right to choose".

"I'll keep calling out hate and extremism, making clear there is no place in America for political violence, or any violence, period."

'We Got Through it': Biden

Looking back at his term as a President, Biden said that the US has come so far since he observed the office in 2021, calling it a "winter of peril" and possibilities.

"We were in the grip of the worst pandemic of the century, the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, and the worst attack on our democracy since the civil war," he SAID.

"But we came together as Americans," Biden added.

"We got through it."

"We're literally rebuilding our entire nation," he asserted.