Chain Reactions As Joe Biden Steps Down, Endorses Kamala Harris As Democratic Party Presidential Candidate

By:Olufemi Orunsola 

Barely four months to the US Presidential election, Joe Biden has stepped out of the race, endorsing his Vice President, Kamala Harris as the Presidential candidate of the Democratic party ahead of the upcoming presidential election.

With the Democratic National Convention just one month away, the 81-year-old Biden who has been running 2.5 points behind former President Donald Trump, has officially announced his stepping down from the race in a statement sighted by OPEN TELEVISION Naija which reads:

"My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best decision I’ve made. Today, I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this."

However,OPEN TELEVISION Naija reports that a chain of divergent reactions have followed the decision of Biden to step down of the Presidential race as many Americans have expressed their shock over the withdrawal of the 81-year old Biden from the Presidential race despite running campaign through late July.

Meanwhile, less than one hour after President Joe Biden announced his decision to leave the presidential race, former President and GOP nominee Donald Trump has made clear his disdain for the current president hasn’t eased.

Trump has taken to his social media platform, Truth social with backlashes for Biden as he wrote: “Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve – And never was!”

Trump further says:"He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement. All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasn’t capable of being President, and he wasn’t."

While other Republicans have been observed to echo Trump’s opinion, Democrats are praising 81-year old Biden’s decision for his decision described by them as a show of patriotism and putting his country first above his own personal interests.

Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer, released a statement which reads:“Joe Biden has not only been a great president and a great legislative leader but he is a truly amazing human being," concluding that “His decision of course was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first. Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and great American."

Similarly, former House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, has described Biden as “a patriotic American who has always put our country first.

“With love and gratitude to President Biden for always believing in the promise of America and giving people the opportunity to reach their fulfillment,” Pelosi said in a statement. “God blessed America with Joe Biden’s greatness and goodness.” the Californian legislator said.

However, OPEN TELEVISION Naija has it on credible authority that the current House Speaker, Mike Johnson, has said that Biden’s withdrawal speaks ill of the president and his party.

In Johnson's words: “Having invalidated the votes of more than 14 million Americans who selected Joe Biden to be the Democrat nominee for president, the self-proclaimed ‘party of democracy’ has proven exactly the opposite."

Johnson further spoke tough insisting that “If Joe Biden is not fit to run for President, he is not fit to serve as President. He must resign the office immediately. November 5 cannot arrive soon enough."

OPEN TELEVISION Naija also reports that following Joe Biden's decision to step down from the Presidential race, there was a call for his resignation by Texas Governor, Greg Abbott who believes that Biden’s move to step down was a premeditated ploy in place prior to his disastrous debate performance.

On the contrary, California Governor, Gavin Newsom has praised  Biden’s efforts as president.

To Newsome;"President Biden has been an extraordinary, history-making president — a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans. He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents. Thank you, @JoeBiden.”

In all, while Kamala Harris who is rated as the most obviously qualified successor after Biden's withdrawal from the Presidential race has now been nominated, it’s not clear who would join her on the ticket as Vice President.

OPEN TELEVISION Naija is poised to give further reports on this development as many observers in Anerica and across the world are wondering if are black woman can indeed emerge as President of the United States.