President Biden is reportedly reflecting on his decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race last summer amid increasing pressure from Democrats. According to sources close to the matter, the president still believes he could have won against former President Trump in the upcoming election, despite his struggles during the debates and falling approval ratings that led to his exit.
After a debate on June 27, calls from fellow Democrats for him to step aside intensified, prompting Biden to consider the implications for the party and his campaign. As support dwindled, many donors began to question his viability as a candidate, further contributing to his decision to withdraw.
Biden officially dropped out on July 21 and chose to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris, who had just a short time to prepare for the campaign’s final stretch. Ultimately, Trump won the election by a substantial margin, beating Harris by over 2 million votes.
Despite the outcome, Biden has been careful not to directly blame Harris for the loss and has maintained to his aides that he could have contested Trump effectively. Some party leaders, like Representative James Clyburn, have expressed doubts about Biden’s campaign style, suggesting that it may not align with today’s political climate.
Biden’s national security advisor emphasized the need for a long-term vision for the country’s governance rather than focusing solely on immediate electoral concerns. This reflects a broader tension within the Democratic Party regarding the right strategy to unite and mobilize voters ahead of future elections.
In hindsight, Biden has acknowledged several missteps during his campaign, including his debate performance. Additionally, he regrets his choice of Merrick Garland for attorney general, feeling that Garland’s prosecutorial actions against Trump were too slow while asserting that his son Hunter received excessive scrutiny.
As the political landscape evolves, it remains to be seen how these reflections will shape Biden’s and the Democratic Party’s approach moving forward.
