The support of Biden ending his campaign was among the most solid majorities in the past several years of New York Times/Siena polls
A recent poll reveals that voters in the United States almost universally approve of President Biden’s decision to end his 2024 re-election campaign. According to a New York Times/Siena College Poll released on Thursday, a staggering 87% of registered voters said they approved of the president’s decision to forego a second term.
Only 9% of respondents expressed disapproval of this decision. The New York Times noted that the 87% approval rating is one of the highest levels of agreement on a Times/Siena polling question in recent years.
In a brief Oval Office address on Wednesday, President Biden announced his decision to step down and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor. “In just a few months, the American people will choose the course of America’s future.
I made my choice. I’ve made my views known,” Biden stated. “I would like to thank our great vice president, Kamala Harris. She is experienced, she is tough, she is capable. She’s been an incredible partner to me and a leader for our country.”
Biden continued, “Now the choice is up to you, the American people. When you make that choice, remember the words of Benjamin Franklin hanging on my wall here in the Oval Office, alongside the busts of Dr. King, Rosa Parks, and Cesar Chavez.”
The president’s decision to withdraw from the race shocked the public and even Democratic Party insiders close to him. Biden’s campaign had planned fundraising events well into August and repeatedly assured Democratic lawmakers that he had no intention of giving up the race.
Critics and allies alike had called for Biden to stand down from the Democratic Party ticket following his disastrous first presidential debate performance and years of increasingly concerning behavior that seemed to show mental decline.
The speech lasted roughly 11 minutes, with the president sitting at the Resolute desk in the Oval Office while reflecting on his years in political office and his decision to step aside. Members of the president’s family were in attendance for the speech, including First Lady Jill Biden, daughter Ashley Biden, son Hunter Biden, and others.
Former President Donald Trump criticized Biden’s Oval Office address, calling it a “terrible” speech and accusing Democrats of staging a coup against the president. “I knew there was a palace coup going on, and I assumed that she’d be probably getting it,” Trump said of Harris. “She had the advantage.”
The announcement marks a significant turning point in American politics, as the Democratic Party now pivots to rally behind Kamala Harris for the upcoming election.
Biden’s endorsement is expected to significantly boost her campaign, providing a sense of continuity and stability for voters looking for experienced leadership in turbulent times. As the political landscape continues to shift, all eyes will be on Harris as she steps into the spotlight, aiming to build on the foundation laid by Biden’s administration.