Biden: Concerns about colleagues led to election withdrawal
President Joe Biden gave his first major interview after withdrawing from the election race. He revealed what convinced him to step down from the re-election fight. "A number of my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate thought that I was gonna hurt them in the races," he said.
12:47 PM EDT, August 12, 2024
Since withdrawing from the re-election race, Biden gave CBS News Sunday Morning his first major interview. He explained that he made this decision with his family at the end of July.
But what happened was, a number of my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate thought that I was gonna hurt them in the races. And I was concerned if I stayed in the race, that would be the topic. You'd be interviewing me about 'Why did Nancy Pelosi say…' 'Why did so-and-so…' And I thought it'd be a real distraction, number one., Biden said.
Number two, 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 it outta my mouth. But things got moving so quickly, it didn't happen, Biden laughed.
Biden assessed that Donald Trump poses a "real threat" to the USA, and the country is currently at a "turning point."
The president was also asked about the debate with Donald Trump, which many commentators believe he lost. "Look, I had a really, really bad day in that debate because I was sick. But I have no serious problem," he said. He assures that he has no serious health problems.
Biden out of the election
On July 21, Biden announced his withdrawal from the election race and endorsed the sitting Vice President Kamala Harris. On August 6, Harris received the support of 99% of the party's delegates. Her vice-presidential candidate is Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
According to many reports, Nancy Pelosi urged Biden to withdraw from the election. The politician has never denied it.
The presidential election in the USA will take place on November 5.
