President Joe Biden is set to deliver what may be his final Oval Office speech on Wednesday. He will address the nation to explain his decision to withdraw from the upcoming November election and assert that he will not simply serve as a lame duck president.
As the political spotlight shifts to the upcoming showdown between Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, Biden aims to emphasize that he still has significant work to complete. At 81, Biden announced via social media that he will discuss “what lies ahead, and how I will finish the job for the American people” during the primetime address at 8:00 pm.
This speech, expected to last around eight to ten minutes, marks Biden’s first since his surprising withdrawal from the race on Sunday. This decision came after increasing pressure following a difficult debate performance against Trump. While isolating due to Covid at his Delaware beach home, Biden promised to provide more context on his unexpected choice.
This address follows just over a week after his last Oval Office speech, which came in the wake of an assassination attempt against Trump on July 13. It’s only the fourth Oval Office speech of Biden’s presidency and could potentially be his last.
With Harris poised to secure the Democratic nomination and Trump back on the campaign trail, Biden faces the challenge of demonstrating his continued relevance. Republicans argue that if Biden isn’t fit for re-election, he isn’t fit to remain president. However, Biden maintains that he still has much to offer, particularly focusing on economic issues and seeking a ceasefire in Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
Despite the challenges, Biden remains steadfast. “I’m not going anywhere,” he told Harris during a campaign meeting in Delaware, vowing to work tirelessly both as president and in support of her campaign. Biden, who is set to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Thursday, expressed optimism about achieving a ceasefire.
Biden’s efforts to secure a legacy-defining peace deal in the Middle East echo those of previous presidents like Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and even Donald Trump. However, the political landscape is already shifting. Netanyahu will meet separately with both Harris and Trump, with the latter hosting him at Mar-a-Lago in Florida on Friday.
As Biden returns to the White House, he is keen to demonstrate his continued commitment. His decision to step aside has energized a Democratic Party that was previously mired in debates over his age. Harris received an enthusiastic reception at a campaign rally in Wisconsin, her first since confirming she has the necessary delegates for the nomination.
Harris is expected to be officially nominated in early August through a virtual vote by Democratic delegates, ahead of the party’s convention in Chicago. Her challenge now is to maintain the current momentum and convert it into electoral success in November. Although a recent poll shows Harris slightly ahead of Trump, she still faces scrutiny over her performance during her first two years in office.
