President Joe Biden will address the nation on Wednesday about his decision not to seek a second term in the White House.
Address from the Oval Office
The address will be filmed in the Oval Office. It will cover “what lies ahead” in the final months of his presidency, dispelling speculation that he will resign from office immediately.
Biden’s Announcement on Social Media
Biden wrote on X, “Tomorrow evening at 8 PM ET, I will address the nation from the Oval Office on what lies ahead and how I will finish the job for the American people.”
Return from COVID Isolation
Biden returned to the White House on Tuesday after recovering from COVID isolation at his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
First Public Appearance Since July
The address will be the first time Biden has been seen publicly since July 17. He called in virtually to a campaign meeting Monday to speak to staff and reiterate his support and endorsement of his chosen replacement candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris.
Kamala Harris’ Campaign Message
Harris addressed the campaign staff at the Monday meeting following Biden’s announcement that he would not continue his Presidential run. She emphasized her career accomplishment as a prosecutor and told campaign staff that she would draw from that experience in running against Republican nominee Donald Trump, a convicted felon.
Prosecutorial Messaging Against Trump
She made an impression at the meeting while relying on messaging from a prosecutor’s perspective, saying, “In those roles, I took on perpetrators of all kinds. Predators who abused women, fraudsters who ripped off customers, cheaters who broke the rules for their gain. So hear me when I say: I know Donald Trump’s type.”
Harris’ Campaign Strategy
This messaging is likely to continue to help Harris gain traction and focus her campaign against Trump, painting him as a criminal and herself as the law and justice enforcer.
Age and Fitness Debate
The figure of Harris has also turned the conversation about age and fitness on its head, as Harris will be 60 years old in November, compared to Trump’s 78 years.
Trump Campaign’s Reaction
The first message from the Trump campaign following Biden’s announcement that he would withdraw from the race was that of crying foul on behalf of the democratic electoral process in the United States.
Allegations of a Coup
Some called it a “coup.” Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton wrote on X, “Joe Biden succumbed to a coup by Nancy Pelosi, Barack Obama, and Hollywood donors, ignoring millions of Democratic primary votes.”
GOP Response
Republican Arizona Congressman Paul Gosar wrote, “The coup is complete.”
Disregard for Democratic Process
GOP Vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance also argued that the Biden campaign disregarded the democratic electoral process for the millions of voters who had already cast their ballots for President Joe Biden.
Irony of Biden’s Previous Statements
The double speak and irony are hard to keep track of, as that same message came from the mouth and pen of President Biden only last week. He claimed his mandate to stay in the race was due to the democratic process and millions of voters who cast their vote for him.
