California leaders respond to Biden’s decision to drop out

FILE – President Joe Biden delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the Capitol, March 1, 2022, in Washington. President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, July 21, ending his bid for reelection following a disastrous debate with Donald Trump that raised doubts about his fitness for office just four months before the election. (Saul Loeb, Pool via AP, File)

LOS ANGELES – California elected leaders were weighing in Sunday on President Joe Biden’s announcement that he’s withdrawing from the 2024 presidential campaign.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said Biden “has been an extraordinary, history-making president — a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans. He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents.”

“President Biden will go down in history as one of the best Presidents of our great country,” said Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Los Angeles. “(He) took a nation hurt by the pandemic and turned our country around, ushering in massive job growth, infrastructure and a clean energy and tech revolution. Thank you Mr. President.”

“From the first time (then) Vice President Biden called me when my mother passed in 2011, to my experience working with Congress, I’ve seen nothing but a man who is kind, compassionate, and always puts people and his country first,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn said.

“We thank him for his decades of public service and joining with all of us as we make sure our democratic values win in November.”

The Los Angeles County Republican Party issued a harsh rebuke to Newsom’s comments, responding to the governor’s post by saying, “You praised him after the debate. We knew Biden was unfit for years, yet you and the media lied and smeared anyone that told the truth. Nobody should trust anything you (Newsom) say.”

The county GOP added in a separate post, “It doesn’t matter who the nominee is when it’s still the same destructive policy platform.”

In a statement released late Sunday morning Pacific time, Biden said: “It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.

“I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision.”

Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump wasted little time in weighing in on the withdrawal of the man who beat him in the 2020 election.

“Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve – And never was!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement. All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasn’t capable of being President, and he wasn’t – And now, look what he’s done to our Country, with millions of people coming across our Border, totally unchecked and unvetted, many from prisons, mental institutions, and record numbers of terrorists. We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

Biden’s initial message did not express his preference for who should take his place at the top of the ticket, but he posted another statement about 30 minutes later endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris.

“My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term,” the statement said. “My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best decision I’ve made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.”

Harris is a Brentwood resident and former California attorney general and senator.

The Democratic Party is now faced with a possible rift between those backing Harris and others who favor an open competition before the Democratic National Convention, which will be held in Chicago from Aug. 19-22.

The president had repeatedly rejected calls from a growing number of Democrats in Congress to drop out of the race, brushing off concerns about his age and fitness to withstand the rigors of a national campaign against Trump.

However, reports surfaced in recent days that the president might be reconsidering his stance as he remained secluded in Delaware after testing positive for COVID-19 earlier this week.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who was reported to be on Biden’s short list of vice presidential candidates in 2020 when she was a congresswoman, said Biden “has been one of the most successful and consequential Presidents in American history — and Anglenos have benefited directly from his leadership.

“His partnership was essential in unsheltered homelessness in Los Angeles decreasing for the first time in years. He has helped provide Angelenos with health care, lower prescription drug costs, stronger infrastructure, an expanded public transportation system, and a greener Los Angeles. Just this week, we celebrated more than $70 million in federal investments to expand LA Metro’s electric bus fleet as we prepare to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games. President Biden also defeated the most divisive President in history whose agenda weakened America’s economy, health and international standing throughout the world.

“I know that this work will continue through the remainder of the President’s term, and I look forward to continuing to partner with him and Vice President Harris to deliver results for those whom we serve. On behalf of the people of Los Angeles, I want to thank President Biden for his continuing service to this city, this state and this nation.”

Rep. Mike Levin, D-Dana Point, called Biden’s decision “incredibly patriotic and the right thing to do. He put country first. I want to thank President Biden for his decades of public service to our country and his historic presidency. He has led our country with unwavering courage, conviction and strength. Our nation, and the entire free world, is better off because of his leadership.”

Levin also threw his full backing behind Harris, calling her “the right person to lead our nation forward and defeat Donald Trump and his extremist policies.”

Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Los Angeles, said Biden was “prioritizing the American people and doing all possible to secure the strongest, brightest and most stable future for our nation. With heart and humility, the president has
used his time in the White House to usher in transformative change. … The president’s decision to step aside is bigger than one election or one candidate — it is about the kind of country we want to be in the long run. Now is the time to unify and continue Democrats’ longtime fight for working people across this country.”

Democratic Assemblyman Isaac Bryan of Culver City wrote simply, “The right decision. Selfless, powerless, historic.”

Rep. Nanette Barragan, D-Los Angeles, said Biden “has been one of the most consequential presidents in American history. I’m proud to have worked so closely with his administration on so many of these historic achievements.

Democrats will work to ensure his legacy is secure and will support (the president) and Kamala Harris as the party moves forward, unified, in our efforts to put the American people over politics.”

L.A. County Board of Supervisors Chair Lindsey Horvath wrote on X that Biden “has again demonstrated tremendous leadership by prioritizing the American people. I am grateful for the care he has shown to our country, strengthening our economy, protecting our environment and advancing justice. We’ll never forget his strength and selflessness.”

Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Long Beach and that city’s former mayor, wrote on X, “It’s been an honor to support (Biden and Harris) from day one. Now we must unite around our vice president and defeat Donald Trump. I’m all in. Are you? Let’s go!”

Garcia called Biden “the most accomplished president of our lifetime.”

Current Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson took to social media to thank Biden for his service.

“Your administration has been a tremendous partner with us here in Long Beach as we create more opportunities for working families,” Richardson said. “Our economy, our infrastructure and our country are stronger thanks to your leadership.”

Rep. Katie Porter, D-Irvine, said that as the party moves forward, “I hope we will have a process that energizes the electorate to set us up for victory in November. I look forward to Vice President Harris making her case to voters and I will support our nominee however I can so we keep the White House.”

The Republican Party of Orange County released a statement criticizing Biden’s endorsement of Harris.

“Democrats will be in chaos for the next four weeks until their convention begins in Chicago — with no nominee. Their kingmakers will decide the candidate, not the voters. The irony is thick coming from the party constantly warning about threats to democracy,” the statement said.

“Joe Biden has endorsed Kamala Harris. The truth is there is no daylight between Biden and Harris. As Vice President, she is just as responsible for the failed administration and the policies that have crushed Americans as Joe is … As Californians we know the damage Kamala Harris has done to our state and our nation: out-of-control inflation, rampant crime and a border crisis. She has failed up her entire career and has no place failing up to the highest office in the land.”

The Los Angeles County Democratic Party praised Biden for his “incredible leadership and steadfast moral character,” which it said “laid the foundation for returning manufacturing jobs to our country.”

The party statement adding that “his presidency was the steady hand we needed to prepare our country for a prosperous future and a better tomorrow for working people in America.” (CNS)