Republicans criticized Joe Biden’s speech explaining why he decided to cancel his re-election bid, saying the president should have resigned from office much earlier since he “has not been in charge.”
President Biden addressed the nation from the Oval Office Wednesday night to explain his reasoning for suddenly dropping out of the presidential race on Sunday after weeks of pressure from Democratic allies including Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
His speech was his first to address the American people directly since dropping out of the 2024 election and being diagnosed with COVID a week ago.
During his speech, he said he believed that “new voices” and “younger voices” are better suited to govern the country, address its many concerns and unite the country around a capable candidate.
Republicans, meanwhile, called the speech evasive, with Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., saying, “It’s very apparent to me that he hasn’t been in charge for quite some time.”
“Everyone knows it,” he continued.
President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office in Washington on Wednesday explaining his decision not to seek reelection.
Representative Mike Waltz, Republican of Florida, told DailyMail.com: “This should have all happened a long time ago.”
“Every sensible American saw it. They clearly knew it. And, as you know, the debate exposed it for what it was.”
“I don’t think he has convinced the world that he is capable of continuing to govern the country if he is not capable of leading a campaign.”
“What I mean is that the speech was good. He did it,” the Republican said.
Even one Democrat highlighted the president’s decline.
“It doesn’t look or sound as good as it used to,” said Florida Republican Rep. Jared Moskowitz.
“But I think it’s one of the best speeches he’s ever given.”
He described the speech as “moving” and “memorable.”
The Democrat also highlighted how Biden’s leadership style is selfless.
“To see someone say, ‘I revere this office, but I’m leaving it because it’s for the good of my country.’ We just don’t see that in public office.”
Rep. Dean Phillips, R-Minn., who briefly ran against Biden in the primary, said he has been trying to get the president to give his resignation speech for more than a year.
“You’re talking to the guy who tried to give this speech a year ago,” he said.
Pelosi, who appeared to have influenced Biden’s decision to step aside, posted a glowing tribute to the president after his remarks.
“Tonight, we saw President Joe Biden, one of America’s most important presidents, demonstrate that he is not only on the right side of history, but also on the right side of the future.”
“He has truly made a tangible difference in the lives of the American people. With love and gratitude, I salute President Biden for always believing in America’s possibilities and giving people the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
U.S. President Joe Biden addresses the nation on his decision to end his re-election campaign, from the Oval Office of the White House, as his son Hunter Biden listens, in Washington, DC.
Biden spoke about how honored he feels to have risen in politics over 50 years, coming from humble beginnings as a Pennsylvania boy with a stutter.
In his speech, Biden addressed the future of the country and said it is time for someone else to step up and take the lead.
“I’ve decided that the best way to move forward is to pass the torch to a new generation,” Biden said during his speech. “It’s the best way to unite our nation.”
And he continued: “There is also a time and a place for new voices. Fresh voices. Yes, younger voices. And that time and place is now.”
He sought to strike a unifying tone, saying that emboldening the next generation of Democratic leaders is a nobler task than his own personal goals.
‘It has become clear to me over the past few weeks that I need to unite my party in this very important effort.’
“I believe my record as president, my leadership in the world and my vision for America’s future merited a second term.”
The president spoke at length about passing the torch to the next generation of Democrats.
“But nothing, absolutely nothing, can stop us from saving our democracy. That includes personal ambition.”
He said the choice was between “unity and division” and added: “We have to decide that we still believe in honesty, decency, respect, freedom, justice and democracy.”
Biden also invoked a conciliatory story from his childhood and later career in politics.
‘Nowhere else in the world could a stuttering child from modest beginnings in Scranton, Pennsylvania and Claymont, Delaware one day sit behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office as President of the United States.’
“But here I am. That’s what makes America so special.”