Biden says he bowed out to unite nation, as Trump attacks Harris

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses President Joe Biden's decision to abandon his reelection campaign and endorse his vice president, Kamala Harris, as the Democratic candidate for the 2024 presidential election. It covers Biden's reasons for the decision, the reactions from Trump and Harris, and the implications for the upcoming election.

🙋 Q&A

[01] Biden's Decision to Endorse Harris

1. What were Biden's reasons for abandoning his reelection campaign and endorsing Kamala Harris?

• Biden said abandoning his reelection campaign and endorsing Harris was the best way to unite the country and save democracy, despite his ambition to win a second term.
• Biden believed he deserved to be reelected based on his record during his first term, but he prioritized saving democracy over personal ambition.
• Biden praised Harris as a strong leader who would make an effective president, and said the choice is now up to the American people.

2. How did Biden's decision impact the Democratic campaign?

• Harris has pulled in broad support across the Democratic Party and revitalized the election campaign since Biden's endorsement.
• The Democratic National Committee agreed to formally nominate Harris as the Democratic candidate as soon as August 1, before the party's convention.
• Harris' campaign has raised $126 million since Sunday, with 64% of donors making their first contribution of the 2024 campaign.

[02] Reactions to Biden's Decision

1. How did Trump respond to Biden's decision?

• Trump criticized Biden's speech as "barely understandable and sooo bad!" on his Truth Social platform.
• At a campaign rally, Trump attacked Harris as a "radical Left lunatic" who would "destroy our country if she ever gets elected."
• Trump vowed to "terminate every single open border policy of the Biden-Harris administration" and "seal the border" if elected.

2. How did Harris respond to Trump's attacks?

• At her first campaign rally since Biden's endorsement, Harris compared her background as a prosecutor to Trump's record as a convicted felon.
• Harris asked the audience whether they want to live in a country of "freedom, compassion and rule of law, or a country of chaos, fear and hate."

[03] The 2024 Presidential Election

1. What is the current state of the 2024 presidential race between Harris and Trump?

• Recent polls show a tight race, with Harris holding a marginal two-percentage-point lead over Trump in a Reuters/Ipsos poll, while Trump leading Harris 49% to 46% in a CNN poll.
• Both poll results were within the margins of error, indicating a highly competitive race.

2. What are some key themes and issues expected to shape the 2024 campaign?

• Biden said he will continue to focus on lowering costs for families, growing the economy, defending personal freedoms and civil rights, and other themes that Harris is expected to build her campaign around.
• The 2024 campaign is expected to be a "bare-knuckled" affair, with Trump signaling a combative tone and a willingness to attack his opponents aggressively.