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Clintons, Obama, world leaders hail Biden’s decision to Pull out of presidential race
Former president Bill Clinton and ex-secretary of state Hillary Clinton on Sunday lauded Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from his re-election bid.
The three have thrown their support for Vice President Kamala Harris to take up the baton after President Biden’s decision.
Lauding Biden’s “extraordinary career of service,” the Clintons said in a joint statement that they were “honoured” to join him in endorsing Harris as the Democratic nominee “and will do whatever we can to support her.
“Nothing has made us more worried for our country than the threat posed by a second Trump term. He has promised to be a dictator on day one,” they continued.
Barack Obama also praised Biden’s decision to drop out of the White House race on Sunday, saying it was a testament to the U.S. leader’s “love of country”, but warned of “uncharted waters” ahead of the November 5 election.
Biden had “every right” to run for re-election, the former president said in a statement, lauding the 81-year-old’s record and calling him a “patriot of the highest order.
“We will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead. But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges,” he said.
Meanwhile, former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has hailed Biden over the move, describing him as “one of the most consequential Presidents in American history”.
“Biden is a patriotic American who has always put our country first. His legacy of vision, values and leadership make him one of the most consequential Presidents in American history,” Pelosi said in a statement, expressing her “love and gratitude” to him.
In the same vein, world leaders also pay tribute to Biden after he ended his re-election bid
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Sunday paid tribute to Biden, saying he had made “democracy stronger” after the US leader announced he was dropping out of the White House race.
Tusk, who served as the European Council president in 2014-2019, said in March that it was important to “nurture transatlantic relations, regardless of who the US president is”.
“You’ve made many difficult decisions thanks to which Poland, America and the world are safer, and democracy stronger,” Tusk wrote on X.
“I know you were driven by the same motivations when announcing your final decision. Probably the most difficult one in your life,” he added.
On his part, Israeli President Isaac Herzog thanked Biden for his decades of supporting “the Israeli people” after the US leader’s move.
“I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to @POTUS Joe Biden for his friendship and steadfast support for the Israeli people over his decades-long career,” Herzog, whose role is largely ceremonial, wrote on social media.
Germany’s Scholz says Biden decision deserves ‘respect’
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz praised Biden after he announced his decision to drop out of the 2024 US presidential election.
“My friend @POTUS Joe Biden has achieved a lot: for his country, for Europe, for the world,” Scholz wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “His decision not to run again deserves respect.”
Also, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he respected the US President’s decision to withdraw from the race for the White House, paying tribute to a “remarkable career”.
“I respect President Biden’s decision and I look forward to us working together during the remainder of his presidency,” Starmer wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“I know that, as he has done throughout his remarkable career, he will have made his decision based on what he believes is best for the American people,” he added.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also thanked Biden for his years of service.
“I’ve known President Biden for years,” he wrote on X.
“He’s a great man, and everything he does is guided by his love for his country. As President, he is a partner to Canadians — and a true friend. To President Biden and the First Lady: thank you.”
AFP
