President Joe Biden is feeling a mix of bitterness and relief after being forced to abandon his reelection campaign over three weeks ago. He is particularly unhappy with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who actively pushed him aside. While Biden appreciates the warm embrace of Democrats post his decision, there have been moments of eye-rolling over certain party members who tried to push him out. Sources deny that Biden is holding a grudge but acknowledge that he is processing the events that led to his ouster, despite firmly believing he made the right choice.
White House spokesman Andrew Bates refutes claims that Biden is dwelling on his unhappiness with Pelosi, stating that the President’s focus is on the future. Biden has some regrets about how things unfolded, but is now focused on enhancing his legacy without the need to run a campaign against Donald Trump. He has no hard feelings towards Vice President Kamala Harris, who swiftly replaced him atop the Democratic ticket. Biden is proud of how Harris rose to the occasion and how the party rallied behind her, as he quickly endorsed her as his successor.
Biden and Harris are expected to make their first official joint appearance since the former’s decision to drop out of the race for an event focused on drug costs. Biden’s team is now channeling their energy into helping elect Harris, seeking more input from top Harris aides and integrating their roles with the White House. Biden has expressed willingness to campaign heavily for Harris in key battleground states where his popularity among certain groups could bolster her coalition. Harris is breaking with Biden on policy and messaging to appeal to voters amid concerns about the cost of living.
Biden is committed to helping Harris succeed, seeing it as crucial to his own legacy. The White House is focused on continued implementation of legislation but also new policies for Biden’s remaining time in office. Biden’s abrupt end to his political ambitions came as a surprise to many in the White House, prompting recalibration of plans. They are now focusing on limited domestic travel for Biden, with more engagement overseas to cement his foreign policy legacy. Biden is expected to engage with European allies, India, Africa, and possibly China in the lead-up to the 2024 G20 summit.
As Biden has scaled back his public appearances and travel, he has given Harris space in the early weeks of her campaign to define herself. Biden has been mostly behind closed doors, attending briefings, meetings, and calling global counterparts amidst international tensions. He recently joined Harris at Joint Base Andrews for a historic prisoner release from Russia, showcasing his work towards rebuilding alliances abroad. Despite recent events, Biden has shown a willingness to find humor in the situation, as seen during a White House conference for digital creators.
