Shapiro WILKES-BARRE — Gov. Josh Shapiro on Sunday praised President Joe Biden, calling him a patriot who has served our country honorably in the Senate, as Vice President, and as one of the most consequential presidents in modern history.
“President Biden has gotten an incredible amount done to move our country forward, defend our democracy and protect real freedom,” Shapiro said. “I am proud to work by his side and am grateful for his leadership and his unwavering commitment to delivering for Pennsylvania — the Commonwealth that raised him.”
Shapiro, who has been mentioned on every list of potential candidates should Biden withdraw, joined Biden in endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for President on Sunday.
Shapiro was in Luzerne County on Friday for a ceremonial bill signing of the new bipartisan budget that he signed into law last week. When asked about the speculation that was surrounding Biden’s future, Shapiro said he was “1oo% behind Biden” and he declined to comment on hypotheticals.
Those hypotheticals have become reality as Biden, 81, decided to step away, endorsing Harris to take the top spot on the Democratic ticket.
Shapiro was listed in a recent Democratic-funded poll that showed him as one of four Democrats who voters feel would fair better than Biden in key swing states.
The BlueLabs draft memo, first acquired by Politico, found that “nearly every tested Democrat performs better than the President” in the swing states of Wisconsin, Michigan, Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.
The memo singled out four Democrats who bested Biden’s results by roughly 5 points overall across the battleground states — Shapiro, Sen. Mark Kelly (Ariz.), Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Vice President Harris also out-performed Biden in polling, but by a smaller margin than the top four, according to the memo.
Shapiro spoke with President Biden and Vice President Harris on Sunday before endorsing Harris for President and released the following statement:
“When our founders came together in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to declare our independence and establish our democracy, they did so with the clear understanding that we would only succeed if we were united. In the 248 years since, our country and our people have been tested – but the American spirit has always triumphed.
“Despite our individual differences, when our safety was threatened, when our values and freedoms were attacked, when the stakes were high, Americans have found ways to come together and unite behind common cause and common purpose. That’s the lesson of our founders who gathered in Pennsylvania two-and-a-half centuries ago — and it’s the lesson our Party must learn from now.
“I’ve known Kamala Harris for nearly two decades — we’ve both been prosecutors, we’ve both stood up for the rule of law, we’ve both fought for the people and delivered results. Kamala Harris is a patriot worthy of our support and she will continue the work of generations of Americans who came before us to perfect our union, protect our democracy, and advance real freedom. She has served the country honorably as Vice President and she is ready to be President.
“The best path forward for the Democratic Party is to quickly unite behind Vice President Harris and refocus on winning the presidency. The contrast in this race could not be clearer and the road to victory in November runs right through Pennsylvania — where this collective work began. I will do everything I can to help elect Kamala Harris as the 47th President of the United States.”
The following local legislators also issued statements following Biden’s announcement on Sunday.
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey
“President Biden has always dedicated himself to improving the lives of Americans,” said Casey, D-Scranton. “He deserves our gratitude for his historic achievements, including rebuilding our economy after the pandemic and delivering the largest infrastructure investment in modern history. He has had an exemplary career in public service. He is a patriot who has always put our country first.”
U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Moosic
“I want to express my heartfelt thanks to President Biden for stepping up and serving the nation. He took the top job in a badly turbulent time, during a worldwide pandemic and its aftermath, and at a time when political compromise was especially difficult to achieve.
“In his decision today, we see the President’s integrity and commitment to the American people — hallmarks of his life in public service.
“I’ll always remember fondly the chance to work with a son of Northeastern Pennsylvania in the Oval Office, and I’ll always wish him and his family all the best.”
U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas
Meuser called Biden’s decision “remarkable,” stating that he feels the Democratic Party just bullied their nominee off the ballot — disenfranchising the 953,916 ballots cast for Biden in Pennsylvania and 14.3 million nationwide, representing 98.9% of Democratic voters.
“Now, the Democrat Party will select their candidate in one of the most undemocratic processes ever, working behind closed doors with no input from the voters,” Meuser said. “Democrat leaders deceived the American people for well over a year by hiding the realities of Biden’s mental decline and failed policies. They knew Biden was unfit to serve, yet claimed what we were seeing with our own eyes were ‘deep fakes.’ Now the Democrat machine and left-wing media has forced him out, circumventing the will of their voters.”
Meuser went on to say, “This begs the question about the transparency and accountability within the Biden White House, his cabinet, senior Democratic leaders, and Vice President Kamala Harris. We must question if the administration’s goal of self-preservation outweighed their obligation and sworn oath to uphold the Constitution and protect the American people.”
Meuser then said while Biden is out of the race, his “failed policy agenda” is not.
“Vice President Kamala Harris has been a willing participant in every failure, including infamously leading Biden’s border disaster,” Meuser said. “As the appointed Border-Czar since March 2021, she has only visited the southern border once. This shows she has not taken this critical issue, or any issue facing Americans seriously. Harris isn’t a serious candidate, and she will now be vetted by Americans across the nation.”
Statement from Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison
“The American people owe President Biden an enormous debt of gratitude for the unparalleled progress he has delivered over the last four years — and we will honor that legacy, and the decision that he has made today, through a firm commitment to nominating and electing a Democratic president this November who will carry that torch into the next four years.
“The work that we must do now, while unprecedented, is clear. In the coming days, the Party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November. This process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the Party. Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people.
“Democrats are prepared and united in our resolve to win in November. As we move forward to formally select our Party’s nominee, our values as Democrats remain the same — lowering costs, restoring freedom, protecting the rights of all people, and saving our democracy from the threat of dictatorship. We have and will continue to make this case to the American people.
“In short order, the American people will hear from the Democratic Party on next steps and the path forward for the nomination process.”
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