Well, it’s finally happened. After all the speculation, the spin and the denials, Joe Biden has today, finally, announced he is dropping out of the race for the White House. The last President to do so was Lyndon Johnson in 1968, but that was in March of that year, rather than late July. Biden has already endorsed Kamala Harris to succeed him, but not all Democrats will be pleased by her likely candidacy. As key figures react to today’s announcement, Mr S has gathered reactions from some of the big players in American politics…
Donald Trump
Biden’s predecessor reacted in his usual magnanimous way, giving the occasion the gravitas it deserved. Just kidding – he wrote on Truth Social that:
Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve – And never was! 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 – And now, look what he’s done to our Country, with millions of people coming across our Border, totally unchecked and unvetted, many from prisons, mental institutions, and record numbers of terrorists. We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
Talk about the send-off he deserves eh?
Bill Clinton
Quick out of the blocks endorsing Kamala was President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary. The duo released a four-paragraph statement arguing that the Democrats need to ‘fight with everything we’ve got to elect her. America’s future depends on it.’ It’s a shame that Bill won both his elections: at 77 he’s a veritable spring chicken, compared to Biden.
Still, imagine what poor Hillary is going through right now, thinking of having to say the immortal words ‘Madam President Kamala Harris’…
Barack Obama
While the Clintons were quick to endorse Harris, one person who noticeably did not back her was Barack Obama. The former President wrote a 556-word statement on Medium in which he made no mention of the incumbent Vice-President. Instead, he praised Biden and ended on a cryptic note, writing that ‘We will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead. But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges.’
…anyone for Michelle?
Jill Biden
Perhaps the most important person in making today’s decision was the First Lady, Jill Biden. She has long been considered the President’s most ardent defender and has reportedly been privately urging him to fight on. So given all the words spilled about her role as a latter-day Edith Wilson, Dr Biden chose to say it all this evening with a simple heart emoji. Cringe.
Naomi Biden
Not all of Biden’s family chose such reticence. His granddaughter Naomi took to Twitter to laud the octogenarian President with praise. Even Pyongyang’s propagandists would blush at her description of Joe Biden as ‘the most effective and impactful public servant in our nation’s history.’ She wrote online:
I’m nothing but proud today of my Pop, our President, Joe Biden, who has served our country with every bit of his soul and with unmatched distinction. Not only has he been—and will continue to be—the most effective president of our lifetime, but he has likely already cemented himself as the most effective and impactful public servant in our nation’s history. He has been at the center of, and had a material impact on, literally every single major issue that our country and world has faced for 50 years. Our world is better today in so many ways thanks to him. To the Americans who have always had his back, keep the faith. He will always have ours.
Err, George Washington anyone?
Stephen Miller
Members of Trump’s inner circle piled in before their principal, firing off tweets berating Biden for taking so long to drop out. Miller, a senior aide to Trump, wrote:
The entire Democrat party has been complicit in hiding Joe Biden’s senile dementia for 4 years. We’ve had no president while our planet has plunged into war. A scandal beyond measure. Which is why the entire Democrat Party must be ejected from power—and Joe Biden must resign NOW.
Well, he would say that, wouldn’t he?
Chuck Schumer
The award for most chutzpah surely has to go to Chuck Schumer, the Senate Majority Leader, who reportedly has been trying to convince Biden to stand down from the ticket. Within minutes of the President bowing to his wishes, Schumer was quick to fire off a tribute worthy of the Death of Stalin:
I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him…
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