'...Kid From a Stutter:' Joe Biden's 1st Address Post Quitting Presidential Race | Top Quotes

New Delhi: US President Joe Biden on Thursday, July 25, addressed the United States for the first time after dropping out of the race to the White House. In his 11-minute long address from the Oval Office, the 82-year-old Democratic leader explained why he chose to quit the re-election bid and passed on the torch to VP Kamala Harris, saying he deserved a second term but "nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy."

Biden's decision to step down from being a ticket contender, which many of his party members demanded,  for US Presidential polls marks the end of his political career. Expressing gratitude to Americans, Biden said nation’s democracy lies in the hands of voters.

In his address he also mentioned Harris by calling her ‘tough’ and ‘capable’ to fight the elections against their Republican rival Donald Trump. The US President also vowed to work towards ending the Gaza war and bringing home Americans imprisoned around the world.

Here are the top quotes from Biden's speech:

• “I’ve decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. It’s the best way to unite our nation.”
• "I revere this office, but I love my country more. It's been the honour of my life to serve this country as President."
• "America is at an inflection point. The decision we make now will determine the fate of the nation. We have to choose between moving forward or backward, between hope and hate, unity and division."
• "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. And that time and place is now."
• "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. That includes personal ambition."
• "I give my heart and my soul to my nation. I hope you have some idea how grateful I am to all of you."
• "I ran for president four years ago because I believe, and still do, that the soul of America was at stake. That's still the case."
• “Nowhere else on earth could a kid from a stutter... one day sit behind the Resolute Desk but here I am.”
• "I want to thank our great vice-president, Kamala Harris. She's experienced. She's tough. She's capable. She's been an incredible partner to me and a leader for our country."
• "Here, kings do not rule. The people do."
• "History is in your hands. The power is in your hands. The power of America lies in your hands."
• "Let's act together to preserve our democracy," Biden said while referencing the November elections.
• "America is an idea, an idea stronger than any army, bigger than any ocean, more powerful than any dictator or tyrant. The most powerful idea in the history of the world."
• "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. But we came together as Americans. We got through it."
• "I'll be focused on doing my job as president. I'll keep calling out hate and extremism, making clear there is no place in America for political violence, or any violence, period."