Barack Obama: "My Statement on President Biden's Announcement"

[pnwmom]

"Joe Biden has been one of America’s most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me. Today, we’ve also been reminded — again — that he’s a patriot of the highest order.

"Sixteen years ago, when I began my search for a vice president, I knew about Joe’s remarkable career in public service. But what I came to admire even more was his character — his deep empathy and hard-earned resilience; his fundamental decency and belief that everyone counts.

"Since taking office, President Biden has displayed that character again and again. He helped end the pandemic, created millions of jobs, lowered the cost of prescription drugs, passed the first major piece of gun safety legislation in 30 years, made the biggest investment to address climate change in history, and fought to ensure the rights of working people to organize for fair wages and benefits. Internationally, he restored America’s standing in the world, revitalized NATO, and mobilized the world to stand up against Russian aggression in Ukraine.

"More than that, President Biden pointed us away from the four years of chaos, falsehood, and division that had characterized Donald Trump’s administration. Through his policies and his example, Joe has reminded us of who we are at our best — a country committed to old-fashioned values like trust and honesty, kindness and hard work; a country that believes in democracy, rule of law, and accountability; a country that insists that everyone, no matter who they are, has a voice and deserves a chance at a better life." https://barackobama.medium.com/my-statement-on-president-bidens-announcement-1eb78b3ba3fc


More at the link!

[Wicked Blue]

1. gee, thanks

[displacedvermoter]

33. Like the line from General Kemper

in the scene from "Gettysburg" where he tells the British military
observer that the Crown recognizing the Confederacy at that point of the war is "like the banker agreeing to lend you money when you don't need it!"

Thanks a lot!

[PatSeg]

75. It sure does feel that way

All that glowing praise as he exits the race. It would have been nice to hear all of that sooner. I got the impression that Obama never wanted Joe to run in the first place, not in 2016 and probably not in 2020.

[NotHardly]

42. sure glad he had Biden's back /s

[StarryNite]

47. I think he was just there to pull something he owned out of it.

[MayReasonRule]

58. You're Still Gonna' Cast A Vote For President, Yeah?

Who's your horse of choice?

[MayReasonRule]

57. Who's Your New Horse In The Potus Race?

You are gonna' vote yeah?

[displacedvermoter]

66. What does one thing have to do with another?

It changes my view of President Obama, but he will likely lose no more sleep over that than any over any disappointment President Biden may feel, even privately.

[Raven123]

2. So no endorsement of Harris yet. Am I correct?

[GreenWave]

8. No. It was over an hour ago...

[pnwmom]

10. An MSNBC person speculated that Obama wanted to give Biden the spotlight today.

And they're now saying that Rep. Clyburn will be endorsing her too.

[Raven123]

14. Fair enough

[Cha]

15. That sounds like good reasoning about the Spotlight for

Pres Biden, today.

[Ms. Toad]

13. This was a personal tribute to Biden. n/t

[Polybius]

16. Nope

[calguy]

17. I'm sure he will, but now is not the time

This to me, was more of a tribute to Joe's patriotism and supporting his decision. I honestly don't think any Democrat wants to challenge Kamala for the nomination at this point. Obama will support the new nominee (Harris), when the time is right to do so.

Right now the party needs to take a deep breath and collect ourselves for the battle of our lifetime.

[KentuckyStiffRipple]

35. No. Hopefully Michelle is reconsidering running so that we have a much, much better chance of keeping Trump out.

[Raven123]

38. Not a chance.

[KentuckyStiffRipple]

39. I'm just saying that if the idea is to win, Michelle Obama is the obvious choice, is all.

Nothing about who's in line or ideology or VP's or whatever. Just actually winning, keeping Trump out, and protecting democracy for future generations. That's all.

[soandso]

43. She has repeatedly said no

I believe she feels she paid her dues and she now has a fabulous life and wants to enjoy it. I can't blame her.

[Beck23]

54. What is this thing about Michelle?

She's never held elected office or shown any interest in doing so. Do people think Barack would be running things in the background? I don't get it. Please explain.

[NH Ethylene]

68. I don't get it either

And it irks me when people bring it up - over and over. I love Michele but I dislike celebrity politics.

[KentuckyStiffRipple]

72. She's the "candidate" for people whose first priorities are winning and preserving democracy.

[NH Ethylene]

74. Are you suggesting that's not my first priority?

That if we don't badger this poor woman into doing something that's completely against her nature - and which she has refused to do over and over again - that we don't care about the future of our country?

[displacedvermoter]

81. Even if she turned out to be a bad president?

We assume she has presidential qualifications because we find her a charming and generous hearted person, a good mother, and the wife of a former president. But does that mean she would actually be up to the job, or is just defeating Trump enough? We assume anyone would be a better president than Trump, or Shrub, or Reagan, but that is a pretty low bar, and after the successful term President Biden served, she could be a horrible disappointment. And just look how much good work Joe accomplished, and the American people -- or at least a whole bunch of them, including leading members of his own party -- are ready to turn him out of office and many would replace him with the worst president in our history.

Just saying...

[babylonsister]

83. No she is not! She's not interested, period. nt

[misanthrope]

50. Michelle's attitude about the political fray

is one of the things that I respect most about her. She knows a cesspool when she smells it.

[relayerbob]

48. Won't happen

And would cause enormous division in the party if she were to do so.

PERHAPS, as a VP candidate, but she has expressed zero interest in these sorts of things

[ProudMNDemocrat]

3. Watch over and protect Preident Biden former POTUS Obama.

For Joe will need you now more than ever.

[Pinback]

46. Welcome to DU!

Hope you’ve enjoyed it here so far!

[BurnDoubt]

70. Thanks for the tip. I don't have personal knowledge of the "behind the scenes" scuttlebutt.

[2 Meow Momma]

4. Ok.

[GreenWave]

5. I am in the acceptance phase now and retooling my brain,

These posts help accelerate the process,

[Cha]

19. I'm not there yet. I'm in Hawaii and I found out not

too long ago. I know I will get there but right now I'm still in shock.

But yes.. Posts like these are Helping even though they make me cry.

[bdamomma]

21. Hey Cha

we will be okay

[Cha]

23. Aww.. Mahalo bdamomma...

I too think we will be good... it's just the devastating Sorrowful Whiplash I'm feeling right now.

And I needed a hug..backatcha!

Aloha

[bdamomma]

24. I know

this hurts so badly. We love Joe. But now is the time for all of us to unite against the convicted felon!!!

[Cha]

31. YES! And, I hate those posts

that say.. get used to TSF being back in the WH... So Defeatist!

We're Fighters.. We're Going to Win

[bdamomma]

32. We are fighters!!!!!

and we all need to unite now.

[GreenWave]

25. You are a prolific voice here Cha as witness your post total.

I type now with only a few fingers but my typos today are from real tears clouding my vision.

Our great President was greatly abused by FOX, OAN and Newsmax, etc. who went after him Day 1. They spewed the daily hatred, lies and fear that led him to have lower numbers when he should have seen them skyrocket for amazing accomplishments against Repug wrenches thrown into the machine of government. (Trump not allowing Biden's team to transition, repugs in Congress trying to overthrow his government on J6 and the constant hold the budget hostage threats.etc.)
Just an outstanding job by Biden. If Harris is like that, and I think she is, we can't lose.

Until the Big Nalu, my friend,

[Cha]

34. Mahalo, Greenwave and Aloha..

I appreciat youre post.. Not sure what Nalu means though, I looked it up but nothing definitive pops out.

[GreenWave]

59. I thought nalu meant "wave".

Sorry about that.

[Cha]

61. Ohh don't be sorry.. That was

One of the meanings. I just meant there were a lot of different definitions.

I like that one 💙🌊🇺🇸🕯️🕊️🌈🌊

[grammiepammie]

37. Sad day

You are so correct stating FOX, OAN and NEWSMAX were after him from day one and their audiences believe their lies. I am originally from a small borough in the mountains of Pennsylvania and that is the primary news source. I had words with a Trumper a few weeks ago because of all the lies she was spewing. I told her we can disagree on our politics but facts are facts and what she was saying was not true.
I told her to turn off FOX and read a newspaper. Of course her reply was about the immigrants coming to our country and that FOX was the only station that tells the truth. He was exactly what this country needed and he did a tremendous job. Look at where we are today compared to four years ago and it was because of Joe. He will go down in history as one of our best presidents and no one can ever take that away from him. Trump is listed as one of the worst and yet here we are again. I feel like I am in a bad dream.

[emulatorloo]

79. ...

[Cha]

80. Hey Aloha 💙🌊🇺🇸🕊️🌈🌊

: :

[XanaDUer2]

6. Ok

[Auggie]

7. And what an awesome statement!

[BComplex]

9. Um...wasn't Obama trying to get him to step down last week?

[comradebillyboy]

28. That's what I've been hearing.

[edisdead]

11. I loved Obama but seriously this isn't playing well with me.

He needs to take a step back and chill a moment.

[Elessar Zappa]

18. What did he say that's wrong?

His statement is entirely positive.

[comradebillyboy]

29. He's just spent the last two weeks trying to push Biden

out of the race so his statement looks rather insincere to me.

[StarryNite]

30. Same here.

Same with another one who just came out right before Biden stepped down to say she supports him. Really? Give me a break. They must think we are idiots.

I wonder if they have all retrieved their knives?

[edisdead]

63. Yeah to me that was as weak as weak sauce gets.

Much lost respect there and that saddens me.

[Deminpenn]

73. Pretty much

nt

[democrattotheend]

82. I'm not sure that's entirely fair

From what I have read, Obama wasn't really actively involved with trying to push Biden out, but arguably he sent a message by not being more vocal in Biden's defense. But I think his message today was sincere in the sense that he, like most Democrats even those who called for Biden to drop out, was sincere in the sense that he has enormous respect both for Biden's decision and his career. Both things can be true - one can respect and appreciate and admire all Biden has done and still think it's best for him, the party and the country for him to step aside and pass the torch now.

[OnDoutside]

84. I've seen other reports suggesting those from his admin like the Pod Save gang, have been pretty active

with his knowledge. So it depends on what you believe I suppose.

[democrattotheend]

85. I thought I read he hadn't spoken to the Pod Save guys in a few years

But I could be wrong. Either way, my point still stands: Obama could admire and respect Biden and his lifetime of service to this country and still think it was for the best for him to step aside. Both things can be true.

[MayReasonRule]

60. This Seems Like A Genuine Statement Of Support Giving Credit To Biden

Step back from his support?

Chill from publicly praising Biden?

I'm at a loss to understand what it is you found offensive within the statement.

Perhaps you might elaborate?
Perhaps I'm naive and missing something.

[edisdead]

65. I think he's had enough spotlight for the moment.

And I liked my vote for Biden despite his thoughts and pressure regarding the matter.

[Pisces]

12. Thank you to both of these men. They are true patriots and Democrats. I appreciate all they have done.

[W_HAMILTON]

20. No offense, but I don't wanna hear it. None of it.

Last edited Sun Jul 21, 2024, 07:46 PM - Edit history (1)

The fact that you come out with that lengthy statement that quickly, all the while remaining silent while rumors were swirling around about you wanting to see Biden drop out of the race, tells me it was all true.

Biden always had your back and you stabbed him in his.

[pnwmom]

22. I bet he rolled this out exactly as Biden wanted him to and that Biden

has been spending the last couple weeks gaming everything out.

[Raven123]

27. I doubt that.

[ananda]

62. I'm starting to think this, also.

We have the attention and the momentum now.

Let's win this!

[pnwmom]

69. And we took them by surprise, and they couldn't attack Kamala during the convention. nt

[democrattotheend]

26. I'm guessing Biden or someone in his camp told Obama before making the announcement

And thus he had a little time to prepare the statement. I don't think it proves Obama was behind the movement to push him out.

That said, I don't blame Biden for being angry at Obama and his people for the way all this went down. I wish Biden had come to the same decision on his own a couple weeks ago without being forced out so publicly.

[lindysalsagal]

36. He makes me tear up, even with printed words.

I miss him!

[Joinfortmill]

41. Okay.

[barbtries]

44. where is the resounding declaration of his support for Kamala Harris.

nt

[Oopsie Daisy]

45. So, if Obama was trying to make me cry... he succeeded.

[ailsagirl]

71. I wish he could come back-- he was extraordinary in his role as President nt

[TomCADem]

53. Who said that only Republicans believe in conspiracies...

…about the deep state?

[Lovie777]

55. No he did not..........................

Lets remain united.

[Ladythatvotesblue]

64. Joe

This is a sad day for Joe and for many people that love him, respect him and think he is truly a man of Honor.
Thank you, Joe Biden, for being a great President as well as a wonderful person, husband and Dad.
Thank you for getting us out of a very ugly time. Thank you for just being you. A good guy that really loves his country and all those that live here in the United States of America.
Bless you sir.
I will now give my support to our Vice President.

Harris for President 2024!!!!

We love you Joe!!!!!

[richdj25]

67. In terms of party unity

Some of you'll need to chill with the Obama hate. He did have a better view on the ground than we did, as to President Biden's situation in running a strong campaign.

We need to come together and support VP Harris to defeat Trump.

Leave the hate for the GOP to spew. That's their thing.

[JohnSJ]

76. Biden endorsed Harris, Harris is now my candidate. Everything else is just noise.

[viva la]

77. A true gentleman's praise for a true patriot

Now come out, Mr. Obama, and endorse our new candidate.

[Wingus Dingus]

78. No one knows better than him the strain of carrying the weight of the world

on one's shoulders--it aged Obama quite a bit, at least visibly, and he was young. I think he has had affectionate concern about the toll the campaign was taking on Biden (as well as alarm for the country's future, of course). It was probably getting to be too much for Joe, and many around him were too slow to recognize and admit it.