Former President Joe Biden has voiced regrets about his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, still convinced he could have secured a victory against Donald Trump.
Fox News reported that after endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris, who subsequently lost to Trump, Biden remains confident that he could have beaten Trump had he not dropped out.
Pressure from within the Democratic Party and a series of political setbacks marked the months leading up to Biden's withdrawal from the presidential contest on July 21.
This decision followed an intense June debate and dwindling campaign contributions, reflecting growing concerns about his viability as a candidate.
Biden's poor performance during the June 27 debate was a critical turning point, leading to increased calls from party officials for him to step down from the presidential race. As doubts escalated, notable figures within the party voiced concerns about Biden's alignment with the current political climate.
Representative James Clyburn pointedly advised Biden that his "style does not lend itself well to the environment we’re currently in," signaling a misalignment with the prevailing electoral strategies and public expectations.
Following his exit from the race, Biden quickly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his preferred successor.
Harris embarked on her campaign, vigorously attempting to consolidate the Democratic base and reach out to undecided voters. Despite her efforts, she was ultimately defeated by Trump by a margin of 2.2 million votes in the November election.
This outcome has led to a period of reflection for Biden, who has candidly expressed his thoughts on the campaign's trajectory and outcome. He has consistently maintained that his previous leadership experiences equipped him to better contend against Trump, despite the challenges of his last months in the campaign.
Furthermore, Biden has been careful to separate his endorsement of Harris from the campaign's final results.
Emphasizing his support for her candidacy, he has avoided blaming her for the loss, focusing instead on his own decision-making process and its impact on the Democratic campaign.
A significant factor in Biden's decision to drop out was the notable decrease in campaign funding during the summer months leading up to his withdrawal. This financial downturn was a reflection of increasing skepticism among donors about his ability to rival Trump in the presidential race.
Adviser Jake Sullivan reflected on the strategic dilemmas faced by Biden, noting the conflict between governing effectively and campaigning under intense electoral pressures.
Sullivan told the Washington Post, "The president went with doing the things that really put America in a strong position," highlighting the prioritization of long-term policy successes over immediate electoral strategies.
This strategic focus influenced many of Biden's decisions, including his controversial appointment of Merrick Garland as attorney general.
Biden has criticized Garland's cautious approach to prosecuting Trump and his aggressive actions against his son, Hunter, suggesting these decisions did not align well with the broader campaign strategy.
Details about Biden's reflections and the campaign's internal dynamics have been extensively reported by major outlets such as the Washington Post and the New York Times.
These reports have painted a complex picture of Biden's campaign, characterized by strategic missteps and a harsh political landscape.
The media coverage has also highlighted Biden's personal grievances and the strategic decisions that led to his withdrawal. His open expression of regret and his critique of the campaign's direction offer a rare glimpse into the personal trials faced by public figures in such high-stakes electoral contests.