‘Best way forward is to pass the torch to new generation’: Joe Biden address

WATCH | Joe Biden has told Americans he withdrew from the presidential race in part to unite the Democrats and the country, and reminded them that in the US, ‘kings and dictators do not rule.’

US President Joe Biden has told the American people he withdrew from the presidential race in part to unite the Democrats and the country, and reminded them that in the US, “kings and dictators do not rule,” in an address to the nation from the Oval Office.

“In recent weeks it has become clear to me that I need to unite my party in this critical endeavour. I believe my record as president, my leadership in the world, my vision for America’s future, all merit a second term, but nothing – nothing – can come in the way of saving our democracy. That includes personal ambition,” Mr Biden said from behind the Resolute Desk in the White House.

“So I have decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. It is the best way to unite our nation. There is a time in a place for long years of experience in public life but there is also a time in a place for new, fresh voices, yes, younger voices. That time and place is now. Over the next six months, I will be focused on doing my job as president.”

Opening his address, Mr Biden described how he was “surrounded by portraits, extraordinary American presidents. Thomas Jefferson wrote the words that guide this patient. George Washington showed us presidents are not kings. Abraham Lincoln who implored us to reject malice. Franklin Roosevelt, who inspired us to reject fear.

Joe Biden explains his decision to withdraw from the presidential race. Picture: AFP.

“I revere this office, but I love my country more. It has been the honour of my life to serve as your president but in the defence of democracy, which is at stake, I think it’s more important than any title.

“I draw strength and I find joy in working for the American people. But this sacred task of protecting our union is not about me, it is about you. Your families, your futures. It is about we, the people. We can never forget that. And I never have. I have made it clear that I believe America is at an inflection point, one of those rare moments in history where the decisions we make now determine the fate of our nation and the world for decades to come. America will have to choose between moving forward or backward, between hope and hate, 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?

“I believe I 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 good people. When you elected me to this office, I promised to always level with you, to tell you the truth.

“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, because of American democracy itself. We must unite to protect it.”

.@realDonaldTrump watches President Biden’s address to the Nation, from his plane following a rally in Charlotte, NC. pic.twitter.com/ohDhsqtVqC

— Doug Mills (@dougmillsnyt) July 25, 2024

Mr Biden confirmed that he would “call for Supreme Court reform because this is critical to our democracy” in the remainder of his term.

He laid out a number of other priorities for the remaining six months of his term.

“Over the next months, I will be focused on doing my job as president,” he said. “That means I will continue to lower costs for hardworking families, grow our economy, I will keep defending our personal freedoms and civil rights from the right to vote to the right to choose.

“I will keep calling out hate and extremism, make it clear there is no place – no place – in America for political violence or any violence ever, period. I’m going to keep speaking out to protect our kids from gun violence. Our planet – the climate crisis – the existential threat. I will keep fighting for my cancer moonshot so that we can end cancer as we know it because we can do it.

“I’m going to call for Supreme Court reform because this is critical to our democracy, Supreme Court reform. You know, I will keep working to ensure America remains strong, secure, and the leader of the free world.

“I am the first president in this century to report to the American people that the United States is not at war anywhere in the world.

“We will keep rallying the coalition of proud nations to stop Putin from taking over Ukraine and doing more damage.

“We will keep NATO stronger and make it more powerful and more united at any time in all of our history. I will keep doing the same for our allies in the Pacific.

“You know, when I came to office the conventional wisdom was that China would inevitably surpass the United States. That is not the case anymore.

“And I’m going to keep working to end the war in Gaza, bring home all the hostages and bring peace and security to the Middle East and end this war. We are also working around the clock to bring home Americans being unjustly detained all around the world.”

He described the US as “an idea, stronger than any army bigger than any ocean, more powerful than any dictator,” and concluded his speech with an appeal to history.

“It’s been the privilege of my life to serve this nation for 50 years,” he said, adding that America was a nation of “dreamers and doers.”

“I’ve given my heart and soul to my nation and I’m blessed by the love and support of the American people,” he said.

“The great thing about America is here, kings and dictators do not rule. The people do. History is in your hands. The power is in your hands. The idea of America lies in your hands.“You just have to keep the faith – keep the faith – and remember who we are, we are the United States of America and there is simply nothing – nothing – beyond our capacity when we do it together. So let’s act together and preserve our democracy. God bless you all, and may God protect our troops. Thank you.”