Biden announces he won’t seek reelection

[Jalapeñomel]

Jul 21, 2024 13:00:57 GMT -5 konapoppy said:

I guess I will be the hopeful one. Let’s hope we rally around someone that isn’t trump without the residue of Biden.

Also, he did it before the nomination. We still have months until the election. We can get the ballots printed. 🤞🤞🤞

I’m here.

The young people around me were opting not to vote. This may help get them back to the polls. 🤞

[underwaterrhymes]

Everybody needs to unite behind Harris. She is our only hope.

[RoxMonster]

Wow I was shocked when H told me this.

[TR]

Jul 21, 2024 13:06:57 GMT -5 bimbi284 said:

I’ve seen some things saying it will be Harris and Buttigieg, but I guess Biden will speak in a few days per the statement, so we’ll see.

I’m with Kona - trying to see this as a positive thing. Admittedly my initial gut reaction was some odd combination of relief and something like dread?

I definitely wish it would have come sooner, and hopefully there’s enough there to turn this thing around.

I would love a Harris/Buttigieg ticket. I would love for the country to be ready for that.

[morecoffeeplease]

Jeez I didn’t even think about the new nominee picking a VP. My goodness.

[usuallylurking]

Jul 21, 2024 13:01:23 GMT -5 konapoppy said:

Also, my hunch is his medical stuff is worse than anyone has shared.

Being down with Covid is likely shoving that reality front and center for him, too.

I respect his decision for his own well being. He deserves to retire and rest. He didn’t deserve to be drug through the mud the past few weeks- and I’m exceptionally angry with the rich casting their opinions, which I believe to be self serving for their wealth.

I wish he had withdrawn 6 months ago. I am more nervous about the election now than I was with having him run.

[fivechickens]

This sucks

[Nonny]

I'm shocked, and also kind of in agreement with those speculating his health must be worse than they were letting on.

Dems need to get their fucking shit together this week and rally HARD around whoever is the new nominee. None of this whining and moaning and hand wringing about them not being the "right" choice.

[wanderingback]

Not that I want him to have a serious health problem, the only way this makes sense and I feel somewhat hopeful is him dropping out because of a serious health problem.

Otherwise fuck all these people speaking out now and not 18 months ago and sending everything in to chaos. We continue to live in a horror movie.

[msmerymac]

I’ve been expecting this for a few days, but it’s still shocking to be sitting at this moment in history.

I’ve said it before, but I think Dems are fucked either way. Joe probably should have just declined to run for a second term last year to give the party time to run a regular primary.

[Deleted]

Jul 21, 2024 13:00:57 GMT -5 konapoppy said:

I guess I will be the hopeful one. Let’s hope we rally around someone that isn’t trump without the residue of Biden.

Also, he did it before the nomination. We still have months until the election. We can get the ballots printed. 🤞🤞🤞

If he was my family member, I’d want to spend as much quality time with him as possible before his neurological decline gets too severe. Honestly, the way he speaks and the way he talks remind me of my FIL who had Parkinson’s. It wouldn’t surprise me if he was in the very early stages.

Also, I think if we’re talking about term limits/age limits for Supreme Court justices and congressmen/senators, then we probably also need to embrace that Biden is too old to hold this position.

Honestly, this man has done so many good things for this country, and has spent a life in service to our democracy. He hasn’t been perfect. But they don’t make people like him anymore. He deserves to take a knee and hydrate — he deserves to take care of himself and spend the quality of his remaining years with his loved ones.

We’ve got it from here, Joe.

[kellady]

I’m gonna try to be hopeful here, but it’s hard.  I just wish this had been done months ago, and without all the leaks and speculation.  I hope he is OK.  I am just incredulous that the GOP can rally behind their disaster of a candidate while the Democrats can’t seem to do this.  

[bcv513]

I’m sad for Biden that it has to end like this. He’s. Good man who loves his country.

[Velar Fricative]

Just before this, Speaker Johnson already announced the GOP would pursue a lawsuit to keep him on the ballot. So part of me believes they wanted Biden to stay on and therefore I can be happy they are being spited.

On the other hand, turning this over to the courts would be really scary.

[mcsangel2]

Jul 21, 2024 13:01:23 GMT -5 konapoppy said:

Also, my hunch is his medical stuff is worse than anyone has shared.

I think it's true that there are members of the party and the media that had been seeing things and sitting on it. But the thing is, something like this doesn't remain static - it will only continue to deteriorate. He will be noticeably declined by November. And clearly, Biden hasn't done anything wrong, it's out of his control. And it isn't Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, it's just general age related cognitive decline.

But a couple of people stated (anonymously) recently that they had seen Biden at a fundraiser a couple of weeks ago and were shocked at the difference between now and when they last saw him in the early spring. Senator Seth Moulton, who has been mentored by Biden for the last 10 years (as in, invited to family dinners and such, has known him well) stated that at an event commemorating the 80th anniversary of DDay, Biden seemed to not recognize him.

I'm gutted for Biden and his family, I can't imagine how devastated they are feeling, but this is really happening to him and everyone sticking their head in the sand isn't going to make it go away. The timing is the shittiest thing ever but I think he needed to step down. I wish the party had been more diligent about preparing future candidates and had come to consensus earlier about Biden not seeking reelection. 

Between Reagan and Biden, we REALLY REALLY need to not promote candidates over 75 going forward, IMO.

[flygirl]

I see this as a positive. Back when Dean Phillips was running, I said that it was a very bad idea to keep pushing Biden. He was and is not at the top of his game and I hope they can get a great VP on the ticket so that all the middle voters, like me, vote democratic (not that I was voting Trump) but it makes me more comfortable.

[bimbi284]

Jul 21, 2024 13:11:30 GMT -5 kellady said:

I’m gonna try to be hopeful here, but it’s hard.  I just wish this had been done months ago, and without all the leaks and speculation.  I hope he is OK.  I am just incredulous that the GOP can rally behind their disaster of a candidate while the Democrats can’t seem to do this.  

I think that’s just is - plenty of people did not have the enthusiasm or motivation to fully rally around Biden for…lots of reasons. A new nominee could likely garner the energy, excitement, and hope that people had lost for Biden.

[usuallylurking]

Jul 21, 2024 13:08:29 GMT -5 TR said:

This may be unrealistic, but I don’t want to see one fucking thing about Trump’s response to this in this thread. It’s going to be disgusting, I just know it.

He’s a bully. I don’t want to see it. I’m already mad at it, I know it.

[konapoppy]

As long as the nominee isn’t geriatric and/or a criminal I will remain incredibly optimistic.

Kudos to Biden for doing what RBG and Feinstein wouldn’t. Nothing but respect.

[tamarindy]

I think this is the best choice. His decline has been rapid and obvious, and I don’t think people can keep pretending it’s not happening. This is the best decision for the party and he needs to rest, but it definitely should have been made a lot earlier.

[suzyp]

Jul 21, 2024 13:10:56 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

Not that I want him to have a serious health problem, the only way this makes sense and I feel somewhat hopeful is him dropping out because of a serious health problem.

Otherwise fuck all these people speaking out now and not 18 months ago and sending everything in to chaos. We continue to live in a horror movie.

I feel terrible but this is my thought too. 

[bimbi284]

Biden just endorsed Harris as the nominee.

[bimbi284]

x.com/joebiden/status/1815087772216303933?s=46&t=Mw6Sl2Bd0x7PRI-X6Y3Hig

[Deleted]

Jul 21, 2024 13:12:59 GMT -5 Velar Fricative said:

Just before this, Speaker Johnson already announced the GOP would pursue a lawsuit to keep him on the ballot. So part of me believes they wanted Biden to stay on and therefore I can be happy they are being spited.

On the other hand, turning this over to the courts would be really scary.

I’d be interested to know what legal standing there is. He wasn’t the nominee, and he’s entitled to decide he doesn’t want to run again. Do the R’s think he was coerced?

I mean, they can’t claim that he isn’t mentally capable of being president, but then also argue that he has to be on the ticket? Not that it would be the first time they’ve contradicted themselves.

I guess it’s good news that the Rs are scared!!!

[Jalapeñomel]

They need to scream that Biden loved this country and did what he felt is best for the country, country over party.

[mofongo]

Jul 21, 2024 13:13:57 GMT -5 mcsangel2 said:

Jul 21, 2024 13:01:23 GMT -5 konapoppy said:

Also, my hunch is his medical stuff is worse than anyone has shared.

I think it's true that there are members of the party and the media that had been seeing things and sitting on it. But the thing is, something like this doesn't remain static - it will only continue to deteriorate. He will be noticeably declined by November. And clearly, Biden hasn't done anything wrong, it's out of his control. And it isn't Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, it's just general age related cognitive decline.

But a couple of people stated (anonymously) recently that they had seen Biden at a fundraiser a couple of weeks ago and were shocked at the difference between now and when they last saw him in the early spring. Senator Seth Moulton, who has been mentored by Biden for the last 10 years (as in, invited to family dinners and such, has known him well) stated that at an event commemorating the 80th anniversary of DDay, Biden seemed to not recognize him.

I'm gutted for Biden and his family, I can't imagine how devastated they are feeling, but this is really happening to him and everyone sticking their head in the sand isn't going to make it go away. The timing is the shittiest thing ever but I think he needed to step down. I wish the party had been more diligent about preparing future candidates and had come to consensus earlier about Biden not seeking reelection. 

Between Reagan and Biden, we REALLY REALLY need to not promote candidates over 75 going forward, IMO.

You don't know what it is. It definitely looks like more than age related decline to doctors seeing it.

[cville]

Jul 21, 2024 13:10:56 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

Not that I want him to have a serious health problem, the only way this makes sense and I feel somewhat hopeful is him dropping out because of a serious health problem.

Otherwise fuck all these people speaking out now and not 18 months ago and sending everything in to chaos. We continue to live in a horror movie.

YES. Just one goddamned day without chaos. IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?!?!

[erbear]

I need 100% of democrats to get the fuck behind whoever the nominee is. No digs. No hand wringing. Get out there and get folks on board.

[heat40]

He just endorsed Kamala. Let’s go

[zarapipe]

I’m shocked. I did not see this coming. Fuck fuck fuck.