Finally, after three weeks of pressure, President Joe Biden announced his decision to withdraw from the presidential race, with the elections set to take place on October 5th. The pressure on Biden to withdraw from the presidential race increased after his catastrophic performance during his debate with former President and Republican candidate Donald Trump, raising concerns about his ability to remain a candidate and serve another four years as president. Biden thus becomes the first sitting president to renounce running for a second term since Lyndon Johnson in 1968, preceded by Harry Truman. In his statement, Biden asserted that this decision was made "in the interest of the Democratic Party and the nation," allowing him to focus on his presidential duties until the end of his term on January 20th. After the statement was released around 2 PM Washington time, Biden announced on the platform X his support for his Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor, a move supported by Democratic Party leaders, including governors and members of Congress.

Repercussions for the Democratic Party

Biden's withdrawal creates immediate challenges for the Democratic Party, which must now readjust its strategy less than four weeks before its national convention in Chicago to choose its presidential candidate. Democratic strategic analysts have stated that Harris must act immediately to contact delegates who had supported Biden, consult with party leaders to choose a vice president and senior advisors, and redouble efforts in her campaign to reach as many Democratic and undecided independent voter groups as possible. They fear that prolonged consultations could lead to a chaotic and contentious general convention, paving the way for a Trump victory.

The Path for Kamala Harris

Harris's campaign represents a major shift in the landscape of the Democratic Party, as the first female vice president has been a prominent figure in the Biden administration. She has advocated for policies related to healthcare, climate change, and social justice. Her campaign will likely focus on the promise to continue Biden's legacy while addressing the unique challenges of her candidacy. She will need to convince voters of her ability to handle issues, make crucial decisions, and work with others in areas of domestic policy, foreign policy, and defense. Democratic party strategists advise Harris to celebrate Biden's legacy in her campaign while also promoting other agenda items that still need to be completed.

Reactions from Democratic Leaders

Democratic leaders have expressed their overwhelming support for Harris following Biden's announcement. Many of them consider her the natural successor, capable of maintaining the party's agenda while attracting a wide range of voters. Notably, many prominent figures have publicly supported her, signaling a united front as they prepare for their convention next month.

Republican Reaction

The Republican Party's reaction was swift, with their presidential candidate Donald Trump and his vice-presidential candidate JD Vance claiming that Biden "withdrew because he is weak." They both launched a campaign against Harris and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Trump will seek to capitalize on this period of turbulence among the Democrats.

Impact on Foreign Policy

Many are waiting to see what the Democratic Party's choice will be and whether Harris can rally party support without losing too much time, as there are only 104 days left until the elections. Abroad, many world leaders are also waiting as the presidential choices of both parties are very different, especially regarding relations with Russia and China, the war in Ukraine, and global issues such as climate change and economic protectionism. While Biden was determined to do everything possible to preserve the environment, Trump reiterated in his last speech that "green policies are a new hoax" and that he will return to a "drill-everywhere policy across the United States to extract oil and gas."

What Does the Future Hold?

The Democrats have managed to raise $46 million in donations following Biden's withdrawal announcement. They hope that this enthusiasm will translate into favorable results in opinion polls.