US President Biden exits race for White House

KABUL (Pajhwok): In the wake of a disastrous debate performance, US President Joe Biden has announced his exit from this year’s race for the White House.

The incumbent president, who insisted a week ago that he was in perfect health and would run for a second term, announced his decision on social media at his beach house in Delaware.

In the last day and a half, Biden finally acknowledged that despite his more than 50-year loyalty to the Democratic Party, he was being perceived as a drag on the ticket, CNN reported on Monday.

The broadcaster linked Biden’s move to mounting pressure from party leaders, rank-and-file lawmakers and an increasing deficit with his aggressive rival Donald Trump.

Taking to X on Sunday afternoon, he announced quitting the electoral fray and lending his weight behind Vice-President Kamala Harris.

Meanwhile, a senior White House official told CNN Biden’s decision was not tied to medical issues. His exit came after a disastrous performance on the campaign trail.

It was the “greatest honour” to serve but his withdrawal was “in the best interest of my party and the country”, the 81-year-old said in his extraordinary announcement.

Harris, 59, promised efforts unite the country against Trump. “We have 107 days until election day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win.”

Ahead in opinion polls, a highly assertive Trump declared Biden was unfit to run or serve the nation. His party colleagues launched similar broadsides against the Democrats.

PAN Monitor/mud