{"id":15519,"date":"2024-07-24T23:13:03","date_gmt":"2024-07-25T06:13:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/?p=15519"},"modified":"2024-07-24T23:16:59","modified_gmt":"2024-07-25T06:16:59","slug":"transcript-bidens-speech-explaining-why-he-withdrew-from-the-2024-presidential-race-associated-press","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/?p=15519","title":{"rendered":"“Transcript: Biden\u2019s speech explaining why he withdrew from the 2024 presidential race”, Associated Press"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON (AP) \u2014 Transcript of President Joe Biden\u2019s address to the nation<\/a> on July 24, 2024:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, about his decision to drop his Democratic reelection bid. (AP Photo\/Evan Vucci, Pool)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Image\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WASHINGTON (AP) \u2014 Transcript of President Joe Biden\u2019s address to the nation<\/a> on July 24, 2024:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My fellow Americans, I\u2019m speaking to you tonight from behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office. In this sacred space, I\u2019m surrounded by portraits of extraordinary American presidents. Thomas Jefferson wrote the immortal words that guide this nation. George Washington, who showed us presidents are not kings. Abraham Lincoln, who implored us to reject malice. Franklin Roosevelt, who inspired us to reject fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I revere this office, but I love my country more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s been the honor of my life to serve as your president. But in the defense of democracy, which is at stake, I think it\u2019s more important than any title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I draw strength and I find joy in working for the American people, but this sacred task of perfecting our union is not about me. It\u2019s about you, your families, your futures. It\u2019s about we the people, and we can never forget that. And I never have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve made it clear that I believe America is at an inflection point, one of those rare moments in history when the decisions we make now will determine our fate of our nation and the world for decades to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

America is going to have to choose between moving forward or backward, between hope and hate, between unity and division. We have to decide, do we still believe in honesty, decency, respect, freedom, justice and democracy? In this moment, we can see those we disagree with not as enemies, but as fellow Americans. Can we do that? Does character in public life still matter?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I believe you know the answer to these questions because I know you, the American people, and I know this, we are a great nation because we are a good people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you elected me to this office, I promised to always level with you, to tell you the truth. And the truth, the sacred cause of this country, is larger than any one of us, and those of us who cherish that cause cherish it so much, a cause of American democracy itself must unite to protect it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You know, in recent weeks it\u2019s become clear to me that I needed to unite my party in this critical endeavor. I believe my record as president, my leadership in the world, my vision for America\u2019s future all merited a second term, but nothing, nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy, and that includes personal ambition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So I\u2019ve decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. That\u2019s the best way to unite our nation. I know there is a time and a place for long years of experience in public life, but there\u2019s also a time and a place for new voices, fresh voices, yes, younger voices, and that time and place is now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to know about the 2024 Election<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n