President Joe Biden has finally opened up about the internal pressures within the Democratic Party that led to his decision to step down from the 2024 presidential race, citing concerns raised by top Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. In a candid interview, Biden admitted that Pelosi’s worries about the impact of his candidacy on other Democratic races were a significant factor in his choice to withdraw.
In his first public interview since exiting the race, Biden acknowledged that many of his Democratic colleagues in both the House and Senate feared his continued presence in the race could damage their chances in the upcoming elections. “A number of my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate thought that I was going to hurt them in the races,” Biden told CBS News Sunday Morning host Robert Costa. He further explained that staying in the race would have shifted the focus away from the critical issues, leading to unnecessary distractions. “I was concerned if I stayed in the race, that would be the topic — you’d be interviewing me about why did Nancy Pelosi say [something]… and I thought it’d be a real distraction.”
This admission comes after a growing chorus of Democrats called for Biden to bow out following his lackluster debate performance against former President Donald Trump in June. The debate was widely regarded as a disaster for Biden, highlighting his struggles and amplifying doubts about his ability to lead the party to victory in November.
Despite his decision to exit the race, Biden remains confident that had he stayed in, it would have been a closely contested battle. “The polls we had showed that it was a neck and neck race, woulda been down to the wire,” Biden said. However, polling data before his withdrawal painted a grim picture, showing Biden trailing in key battleground states and facing an uphill battle nationally.
Immediately after ending his campaign, Biden threw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris, endorsing her as the Democratic nominee. Harris quickly gained momentum, with her poll numbers rising and approval ratings improving as she began to solidify her position as the new face of the Democratic Party. Meanwhile, Trump, now facing a different opponent, has had to adjust his campaign strategy.
Pelosi wasn’t alone in urging Biden to step aside. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Representative Adam Schiff were also part of the contingent of Democratic leaders who applied pressure on Biden. The growing concern among top Democrats was that Biden’s continued presence in the race would not only jeopardize his own chances but also potentially drag down other Democratic candidates running in critical races across the country.
Biden’s struggles during the debate with Trump were evident, and they forced many Democrats who had previously downplayed concerns about his fitness for office to confront the issue head-on. The aftermath of the debate saw Biden embarking on a “clean-up” tour, but instead of calming the waters, his efforts only led to more gaffes and fumbles, further fueling concerns within the party.
Throughout this period, Biden maintained that he had always intended to be a one-term “transition president,” paving the way for new leadership. Reflecting on this, he said, “When I ran the first time, I thought of myself as being a transition president.” However, he also acknowledged that his age might have become a liability. “I can’t even say how old I am, it’s hard for me to get out of my mouth,” he joked, before adding that the rapid pace of developments during his presidency didn’t allow for the transition he had envisioned.
The tension between Biden and Pelosi became more apparent in the wake of his departure from the race. Reports suggested that there was a strain between the two, especially after Pelosi and other Democratic leaders publicly called for Biden to step down. Senior advisor Anita Dunn, who is transitioning to a role with a pro-Harris super PAC, hinted at the intensity of the pressure campaign in recent comments, acknowledging that once party leaders went public with their concerns, it opened the floodgates for others to do the same.
Despite any lingering frustrations, Biden has managed to find solace in the support of his family. Reflecting on the moments after his decision to step down, Biden shared, “My grandchildren call me Pop. My children call me Dad. And they said they were proud, and it mattered to me a lot.”
As Biden steps back from the spotlight, he seems to be embracing a more relaxed lifestyle, spending time at his Delaware beach house. Over the weekend, he was seen enjoying a bike ride and spending time with his wife, Jill, and granddaughter, Naomi. Meanwhile, the responsibility of energizing the Democratic base has shifted to Kamala Harris, who is actively campaigning in key states like Arizona and Nevada.
Looking ahead, Biden is planning his first joint appearance with Harris next week in Maryland. When asked if the public would see him campaigning alongside Harris, Biden simply responded, “Yes, you will.” It remains to be seen how this new dynamic will shape the Democratic campaign as the 2024 election draws closer.
