U.S. President Joe Biden has decided to withdraw from his re-election bid following suggestions from figures within the Democratic Party connected to art, culture, and various sectors, as reported by Jorge Fontevecchia in the editorial of Modo Fontevecchia. This announcement was made during the broadcast airing on Net TV, Radio Perfil (AM 1190), and Radio Amadeus (FM 91.1) in June 2024.
The previous week saw a significant disruption in the U.S. political landscape due to an attempted attack on Donald Trump while he was in the midst of his election campaign. Just one day before Biden’s decision to withdraw, he broke a long-standing tradition where incumbent presidents typically pursue re-election. Faced with societal pressure, he ultimately chose to step down.
Public concern has been growing over Biden, who is 81 years old and showing signs of mental agility that some believe are necessary for the immense responsibilities of leading the country. In contrast, Donald Trump, who is only a few years younger at 78, appears to be gaining momentum and increasing his chances of returning to the White House.
The dynamic in American politics is disturbing for those who advocate for authoritarian control. A vibrant and critical press is essential to democracy, and this often frustrates those who prefer to manage the narrative.
When Biden announced his withdrawal, he endorsed his Vice President, Kamala Harris, as the Democratic candidate. Harris makes history as the first Black woman to hold the office of vice president in the United States.
In the editorial, we delve into the various incidents that led to Biden’s withdrawal and explore who Kamala Harris is, along with what her potential presidency could signify.
Biden faced a series of missteps during a debate with Republican candidate Donald Trump on June 27, which raised alarms among Democratic voters. He struggled to articulate his points, stating, “We would be able to secure all those things we need to do,” and later became confused when referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, mistakenly calling him by the name of his rival, Putin.
Another significant blunder occurred when Biden forgot the name of his own Secretary of Defense during a speech and confused Harris’s name with Trump’s. These slip-ups contributed to growing frustrations among supporters.
Just two days before Biden announced his withdrawal, Trump was nominated at the Republican National Convention, where he delivered a strongly anti-immigrant speech, proclaiming his commitment to unity and safety for all Americans and accepting his nomination “with pride.”
Kamala Harris is now positioned as a potential presidential candidate. Her background reflects a “life of achievements and challenges.” Harris made history in January 2021 as the first Black woman of Asian-Caribbean descent to serve as vice president. Born into an immigrant family, she became a lawyer and had a notable career in California, where she became the first female District Attorney of San Francisco and the first female Attorney General of California.
In 2019, she announced her presidential ambitions, but waning poll numbers forced her to support Biden, who later selected her as his running mate. Their victory solidified her position as the first in the line of succession to the Oval Office.
However, her influence during Biden’s presidency has diminished, often relegating her to diplomatic roles focused on Central American issues. She comes from a family of high achievers as well; her mother was a pioneering cancer researcher and her father an accomplished economist.
Following Biden’s announcement, reactions in the media and on social platforms were swift. Some humorously recalled a scene from the TV series “Veep,” where the vice president learns she will ascend to the presidency after her boss steps down.
Notably, the Clinton family expressed their support for Harris, emphasizing Biden’s remarkable service and pledging to back her candidacy. They voiced their concerns about the prospect of a second Trump term, characterizing it as a potential threat to democracy.
Biden’s decision to withdraw comes with historical echoes, reminiscent of Eva Perón’s withdrawal from the presidential race in 1951, which marked a significant moment in Argentine history.
The U.S. is currently experiencing one of the most unpredictable election campaigns in recent times. While Trump’s image strengthens, the impact of Harris’s candidacy remains to be seen. Various global issues, from the Ukraine conflict to economic downturns, could significantly influence the U.S. elections. The coming months will undoubtedly shape the political landscape further, and we will continue to monitor these developments.
Source: https://www.perfil.com/noticias/modo-fontevecchia/dia-225-renunciamiento-historico-modof.phtml
