President Joe Biden signaled the handoff to a new generation of leaders by announcing the conclusion of his re-election campaign in a televised speech.
At the age of 81, Biden decided it was time to retire and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to lead the Democratic Party and the country in his place.
It was his first time appearing in public since he withdrew from the contest on July 21, which made way for Harris to run for the party’s candidacy.
In the meantime, Harris was verbally att@cked by Republican contender Donald Trump, who referred to her as a “radical left lunatic.”
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According to opinion polls, a prospective matchup between Trump and Harris would be a close contest.
Family members and other White House personnel attended Biden for his 11-minute speech in the Oval Office, where he discussed his choice and the nation’s destiny.
“I revere this office,” he said. “But I love my country more.”
“I have decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation,” added Mr Biden, who has been in public office for over half a century. “That is the best way to unite our nation.”
Biden vowed to “finish the job for the American people” before the end of his term in January next year and called Ms Harris, 59, an “experienced, tough, capable” partner.
