California Reacts To Joe Biden Dropping Out Of Presidential Race

Here are the morning’s top stories on Monday, July 22, 2024…

• President Joe Biden will not run for reelection and is throwing his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris, he announced Sunday on social media — ending weeks of pressure for him to step aside following a disastrous June 27 debate performance and mounting concern from voters that the 81-year-old can’t beat former President Donald Trump and wouldn’t be able to serve another four years in the White House. 
• California lawmakers quickly backed Harris in her bid to win the Democratic Party nomination. U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler, who has worked closely with Harris, said “there’s no one better prepared for this challenge.”  
• California’s nearly 500 delegates could play a key role in choosing the presidential nominee at next month’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Biden Ends Reelection Campaign, Endorses Kamala Harris As Democratic Nominee

President Joe Biden will not run for reelection and is throwing his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris, he announced Sunday on social media — ending weeks of pressure for him to step aside following a disastrous June 27 debate performance and mounting concern from voters that the 81-year-old can’t beat former President Donald Trump and wouldn’t be able to serve another four years in the White House.

Biden announced his decision in a letter to the American people posted on social media. About half an hour later, he posted again endorsing Harris to be the Democrats’ nominee.

“My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President,” he said. “And it’s been the best decision I’ve made.”

California Democrats Re-Energized For Race Against Trump

California Democrats — from party leaders to delegates — praised President Joe Biden’s decision to end his campaign for reelection, with some calling on Democrats to unite behind Vice President Kamala Harris and elevate her to become the party’s new nominee for president.

Governor Gavin Newsom, who is widely thought to have his own presidential ambitions, endorsed Harris on social media late Sunday afternoon. “With our democracy at stake and our future on the line, no one is better to prosecute the case against Donald Trump’s dark vision and guide our country in a healthier direction than America’s Vice President, Kamala Harris,” Newsom wrote on X, referring to the vice president as “Tough. Fearless. Tenacious.”

U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler, a close ally of Harris, said she has all the qualifications to top the ticket. “She is equipped as a candidate but most importantly as a person. The American people deserve a president who’s going to tell them the truth. Kamala Harris is the most honest person I know. The American people deserve a candidate with a vision to unite the country,” she said. “Kamala Harris has demonstrated time and time again that she works for the people. All of them. Not for herself.”  

California Democratic Delegates, With More Sway In Wild Election, Rally Behind Harris

California’s nearly 500 delegates to the Democratic National Convention next month will play a key role in choosing a replacement nominee now that President Joe Biden has ended his reelection campaign.

As they processed the thunderbolt announcement today, some of them quickly fell in line with his wishes: End the drama and close ranks behind Vice President Kamala Harris.

Like millions of Americans, the Californians who are set to travel to Chicago in mid-August to select the Democratic Party’s nominee for president were in shock in the immediate aftermath of the revelation. But they told CalMatters that they are also excited about participating in a historic moment and hopeful that, after weeks of turmoil, Biden’s momentous decision — which included endorsing Harris as his replacement — could turn around Democratic prospects of stopping another term for former President Donald Trump.