Have decided to pass torch to new generation, says Joe Biden on exiting US presidential race
Washington, July 25
Telling his fellow countrymen that America is at an inflection point, US President Joe Biden on Wednesday said he had decided that the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation.
“I’ve decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. That’s the best way to unite our nation. There is a time and a place for long years of experience in public life, but there’s also a time and a place for new voices, fresh voices, yes, younger voices, and that time and place is now,” Biden said in his Oval Office address to the nation.
The much-anticipated address to the nation came three days after he announced that he was withdrawing from the presidential race and endorsing his deputy Kamala Harris as the nominee for the Democratic Party.
Harris, who is of Indian and African origin, has now emerged as the presumptive presidential nominee.
“I’ve made it clear that I believe America is at an inflection point, one of those rare moments in history when the decisions we make now will determine the fate of our nation and the world for decades to come,” he said from the Oval Office.
He was surrounded by the First Lady, Jill Biden, son Hunter Biden and several members of his family. Towards the end of remarks, Ashley Biden reached for the hand of her mother, Jill Biden, who was seated next to her.
After the President concluded his remarks, Jill Biden walked to the Resolute Desk and stood next to her husband. “This has been the honour of a lifetime,” Biden said, followed by other words of gratitude.
Vice President Kamala Harris watched Biden’s Address to the Nation from Houston, where she is spending the night after visiting the city’s Emergency Operations Centre to receive a briefing on the ongoing recovery efforts following Hurricane Beryl.
Biden in his remarks said America is going to have to choose between moving forward or backward, between hope and hate, between unity and division.
