Politicians react after Biden drops out of presidential race
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Following the announcement Sunday afternoon of President Biden’s departure from the 2024 presidential race, many politicians are already chiming in.
Senator Rick Scott released a statement, calling Biden “unfit” and “painfully clear” that he wasn’t “competent” for another four-year term. He ended his statement by calling Biden “America’s most destructive president.”
POLL: Did Biden make the right decision in dropping out of the presidential race?
“Let me be clear, if Joe Biden can’t run for re-election, he is not capable of serving as president for the next six months and needs to resign today.
“For four years, those closest to Joe Biden, including Kamala Harris, knew he was not fit to be president and lied to the American people in an effort to hold onto their power. It was painfully clear that Biden wasn’t competent for office going way back to 2021. Democrats laughed when I said Biden should be removed from office after his deadly Afghanistan withdrawal disaster. They’re not laughing now. Over those four years, we have seen immense damage done to our country. Our border is wide-open, inflation is crushing American families, and countless Americans have lost their lives at home and abroad due to the policy decisions of Joe Biden and his ‘border czar’ Kamala Harris.
“The Democrats’ hypocrisy knows no bounds. The same people who spent years saying President Trump and Republicans are a threat to democracy, just pushed out the sitting president from running for re-election because they don’t think he can win. Let’s be clear – Washington’s Democrat elite went around the will of Democrat voters who picked Biden to be their nominee. They think they know better than the American people and will stop at nothing to hold on to power.
“While we welcome the news that one of America’s most destructive presidents will be denied a second term, it changes very little as to the stakes of this election. We cannot allow the American dream to be destroyed and replaced with California socialism. Come November, we will defeat the Democrats, elect Donald J. Trump, take back the Senate and the House, and save our country.”
Meanwhile, Florida Senator Shervin Jones released a statement, thanking the president for his service.
President Joe Biden is the greatest president of our lifetime. The nation is forever indebted and grateful for his years of service. It’s time for Democrats to unite in support of Vice President Kamala Harris. She has my full support as the leader needed to meet this moment and defeat Donald Trump. The Trump-Vance ticket is dead-set on taking away Americans’ rights, destroying democracy, and doing the bidding of greedy corporations price gouging working families. Together, we can beat this threat and continue moving America forward.
Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison also made a statement on Sunday, saying:
“The American people owe President Biden an enormous debt of gratitude for the unparalleled progress he has delivered over the last four years – and we will honor that legacy, and the decision that he has made today, through a firm commitment to nominating and electing a Democratic president this November who will carry that torch into the next four years.
“The work that we must do now, while unprecedented, is clear. In the coming days, the Party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November. This process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the Party. Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people.
“Democrats are prepared and united in our resolve to win in November. As we move forward to formally select our Party’s nominee, our values as Democrats remain the same – lowering costs, restoring freedom, protecting the rights of all people, and saving our democracy from the threat of dictatorship. We have and will continue to make this case to the American people.
“In short order, the American people will hear from the Democratic Party on next steps and the path forward for the nomination process.”
Nikki Fried, on X, posted her statement:
Joe Biden will be remembered as one of the greatest presidents of our lifetimes — the nation is eternally grateful. Now, the Democratic Party must be more united than ever to defeat Donald Trump.
Tampa Bay-area Congresswoman Kathy Castor praised Biden’s decision to drop out.
“Joe Biden is once again showing true leadership by putting the country above all else. He has led one of the most historic presidencies of my lifetime: recovering from the pandemic, massive job growth, lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, investing in infrastructure, increasing gun safety, caring for our veterans, and passing the most sweeping investments in our clean energy future. And now is an exciting time for him to pass the torch.
There is a lot at stake in this election and I have full confidence in Vice President Harris. She is a fighter who stands up for reproductive freedoms, civil rights, lowering costs for families and lifting up all Americans. I look forward to working for her election and defeating Donald Trump.”
Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost threw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
“President Joe Biden will go down as one of the most effective and progressive presidents in our country’s history. For his selfless service and commitment to our great country and republic – our nation and party will forever be indebted to him.
“As gun violence devastates our communities relentlessly, he pushed for and passed the first piece of gun violence prevention legislation in 30 years. As the climate crisis continues to be an existential threat to humanity, he’s dedicated more resources to fighting climate change than any other administration. As working folks across America struggle to make ends meet, he took the unprecedented step of canceling student debt, never taking no for an answer when it came to getting folks relief.
“He proved to us time and time again that he was a champion of the people and of our movement – I will never forget and will forever be honored for the opportunity to work and stand alongside him as he made history by establishing the first ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention.
“President Biden inherited a country ravaged by a global pandemic, an economy in the dumps, and a people who had lost faith in their country and democracy. He will leave this presidency having strengthened our republic, revived our economy, protected working families, and changed lives. I am proud to have stood by his side.
“Make no mistake, the threat of fascism and authoritarianism is real in our country. Which is why now, we must look forward.
“Many vulnerable communities across the country will not survive another Trump Administration. It is important for our party to come together around a candidate who can beat him — which is why I am proud to offer my full support and endorsement to Vice President Kamala Harris.
“Vice President Harris has been a critical partner to President Biden during his historic presidency and is ready to take Donald Trump to task on the campaign trail and more importantly, to inspire a nation. It’s time to get to work to elect Kamala Harris and once again make history.”
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