Joe Biden Says That He Exited Race Because It Was Time To “Pass The Torch” To Next Generation: “I Revere This Office, But I Love My Country More”

UPDATE: President Joe Biden, in an Oval Office speech, said that he concluded in recent weeks that “the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation.”

“It’s the best way to unite our nation,” Biden said, elaborating on his decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race.

“You know, there is a time and a place for long years of experience in public life; there’s also a time and a place for new voices, fresh voices, yes, younger voices, and that time and place is now.”

Biden’s 11-minute of remarks was a valedictory of his accomplishments during his term, but also his 50-year career in the Senate, as vice president and then in the Oval Office.

“No where else on earth could a kid with a stutter — from modest beginnings in Scranton, Pennsylvania and Claymont, Delaware — one day sit behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office as president of United States,” Biden said. “But here I am.”

But Biden said that “I revere this office, but I love my country more,” as he framed the upcoming election as one that will “choose the course of America’s future.” He reiterated his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris at the top of the Democratic ticket, while not mentioning the name of Donald Trump.

Instead, as he outlined the stakes of the race, he quoted from Benjamin Franklin, asked if the founders had given the country a monarch or a republican. “Franklin’s response was, ‘A republic — if you can keep it.”

PREVIOUSLY: President Joe Biden plans to tell viewers Wednesday night that “the defense of democracy is more important than any title,” as he delivers an Oval Office address following his decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race.

“I draw strength, and find joy, in working for the American people,” Biden plans to say, according to excerpts released today by the White House. “But this sacred task of perfecting our Union is not about me. It’s about you. Your families. Your futures.”

Biden also plans to say that he “decided that the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. That is the best way to unite our nation.”

Biden returned to the White House on Tuesday, two days after he released a letter on X/Twitter announcing that he was standing down in the presidential campaign. Shortly after that, he endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place atop the Democratic ticket.

Broadcast networks plan special reports on Biden’s remarks, set to start at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, with coverage also across cable news and streaming channels.

In his remarks, Biden also plans to say that he will be “focused on my job as president” in the remaining six months of his term.

“That means I will continue to lower costs for hard-working families and grow our economy. I will keep defending our personal freedoms and our civil rights – from the right to vote – to the right to choose,” Biden plans to say.

“That means I will continue to lower costs for hard-working families and grow our economy. I will keep defending our personal freedoms and our civil rights – from the right to vote – to the right to choose,” the president will say.

Earlier today, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that the suggestion that Biden should resign now was “ridiculous.” She said that the president’s decision to drop out of the race was “not about his health,” and that he believed that he could serve another four years. She said that the decision to drop out was made on Saturday evening, when he met with a small group of advisers, and the decision was finalized the next day. The letter was posted to social media at 1:46 p.m. ET.

The Democratic National Committee’s Rules Committee this afternoon approved plans for a virtual roll call of delegates to select the next nominee as soon as August 1. Those plans were in the works before Biden dropped out because of concerns that the Democratic National Convention, to be held August 19-22 in Chicago, would be too close to state ballot deadlines.

Harris already has amassed enough pledged delegates to secure the nomination, with no major opposition challenging her so far.

More to come.