Obama Praises Biden’s ‘Selflessness’ After Urging Him to Exit Race

Former President Barack Obama took to the stage at the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday night to laud President Joe Biden’s decision to step aside from the 2024 presidential race, a move Obama had reportedly pushed for just weeks earlier. In his speech, Obama described Biden’s exit as an act of selflessness, emphasizing the rarity of such a move in the political arena.

“At a time when the other party had turned into a cult of personality, we needed a leader who was steady and brought people together,” Obama said, directly referencing Biden’s leadership. “And was selfless enough to do the rarest thing there is in politics, putting his ambition aside for the sake of the country.”

Obama’s praise comes on the heels of reports that he, along with other key Democratic figures like former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), had been urging Biden to reconsider his re-election bid following a particularly poor debate performance against former President Donald Trump in late June. According to sources cited by the Associated Press, Obama was deeply concerned about Biden’s chances in a re-election campaign and believed that a change was necessary to secure a Democratic victory in 2024.

In his DNC address, Obama predicted that history would remember Biden as “an outstanding president who defended democracy at a moment of great danger.” He expressed pride in Biden’s achievements and reiterated his respect and friendship, saying, “I am proud to call him my president, but I am even prouder to call him my friend.”

Biden, who was in California at the time of Obama’s speech, had officially announced his decision to step aside and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris on July 21. This move has since been portrayed by many in the Democratic Party as an example of Biden’s commitment to the country over personal ambition. However, the reality behind the decision appears to be more complex, with significant pressure from party leaders playing a critical role.

In the days following Biden’s exit, Obama publicly threw his support behind Harris, posting on social media that he and Michelle Obama had spoken to her and were fully backing her campaign. “We told her we think she’ll make a fantastic President of the United States, and that she has our full support,” Obama wrote.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party’s leadership, including Pelosi, has remained tight-lipped about their conversations with Biden leading up to his decision. Pelosi, when pressed on the matter, cryptically remarked, “Sometimes you have to take a punch for the children. I did what I had to do.”

As the DNC continues, the Democratic Party faces the challenge of transitioning from Biden’s leadership to a campaign centered on Kamala Harris. Despite the party’s efforts to frame Biden’s exit as a noble sacrifice, the behind-the-scenes dynamics paint a picture of a president who was nudged out to make way for a new candidate in a high-stakes election.

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