Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw has a “surprising” element to it, according to GB News’s US reporter Steven Edginton.
He told Andrew Doyle that while the decision itself was not surprising, the decision to support Kamala Harris could be seen as a shock.
The pair are said not to have been on the best of terms, but in more recent times, she had emerged as a key defender of the president.
Speaking on GB News, Edginton discussed Biden’s decision to throw his support behind Harris.
Steven Edginton says Biden's decision to back Harris so quickly came as a surprise
GB NEWS
“Many people aren’t particularly surprised by this, I don’t think I was either”, he said.
“After seeing that debate performance, it was very difficult for Biden to continue. We saw a series of leading Democrat voices calling for him to go.
“There were reports that Barack Obama and others were urging Biden to drop out.
“Perhaps the most surprising thing is the fact Biden has endorsed Kamala Harris so quickly.
“There seemed to be some tension between those two but it looks as though Kamala will be the next Democratic nominee.”
Steven added that the Democrats’ situation will not be made any easier with Harris at the forefront due to her polling poorly with voters.
Steven joined Andrew Doyle on GB News
GB NEWS
“She is seen as inauthentic and awkward in her speech at times”, he said.
“They need to find someone who can defeat Trump, they really don’t like him so anyone who can defeat him is surely their best option.
“Is Kamala that person? I don’t know. At the same time, she is the vice president, but at the same time it’s very difficult with all the financial regulations surrounding the US presidential campaign.
“Kamala Harris is an ethnic minority woman and the Democrats are obsessed with these identity issues.
Joe BidenREUTERS“If they get rid of Harris for someone like Gavin Newsom, a white man, there could be issues. Kamala Harris has a good shot at becoming Democratic nominee.”
In a post on his social media account, he said: “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.”
In a separate letter posted to X, Biden said it had been the greatest honour of his life to serve as president.
“And while it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling the duties as President for the remainder of my term.”
He said in his statement he would address the nation on the matter next week, adding: “For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work.
And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me.
“I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can’t do – when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America.”