(The Center Square) – Democratic politicians in North Carolina were quick to applaud President Joe Biden for his leadership on Sunday in the hours after his decision to step out of the 2024 presidential election.
Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, said in a statement that Biden has “cemented his place among our nation’s finest presidents.” Two members of Cooper's administration eventually moved on to Biden's team, Michael Regan at the Environmental Protection Agency and Dr. Mandy Cohen at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“When our democracy faced danger, President Biden stood strong as the rarest type of leader who could help us forge ahead with a vision to repair our country’s soul,” he said .
Attorney General Josh Stein, running to succeed Cooper as governor, said he is grateful for Biden’s actions as president.
“President Biden has put the American people first throughout his historic career – as senator, vice president, and president,” Stein said . “President Biden is a true patriot. His decision today exemplifies his commitment to always putting the country before himself. I thank him for his remarkable service to our nation.”
Vice President Kamala Harris has been endorsed by Biden to replace him on the ticket, but Republicans are predicting she will fare no better than Biden.
“Joe Biden hasn’t really been in this presidential race since Donald Trump announced, and I’m not surprised to now hear him make it official. Americans are suffering under the inflation Biden has created, his open border policies, and his overreaching regulatory schemes,” said Republican U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards . “Kamala Harris also owns those failures, so I predict a decisive victory in November for Donald Trump.”
Endorsements of Harris were notably absent from many of the Democrats' statements. Rather, they sought to solidify Biden’s half-century legacy.
“President Biden’s legacy is secure,” said Democratic Rep. Kathy Manning . “We Democrats must keep fighting to protect all progress we’ve made.”
Democratic Rep. Alma Adams agreed.
“The Biden-Harris administration has been one of the most successful, most accomplished presidential administrations and President Biden has served our citizens well,” she said . “I am thankful for his leadership and support his final decision. It is imperative that we keep this good governance going.”
Republican responses have trickled in more slowly.
Rep. Virginia Foxx addressed the sense of chaos that many sense within the Democratic party.
“Happy Sunday,” she said. “The Democrats are really in disarray.”
As concerns about Biden’s health continue to grow, Foxx added a call for Biden to “resign immediately.”
Rep. David Rouzer, also a Republican, expressed his concerns about the legitimacy of Biden’s withdrawal.
“The only reason why the Democrat power brokers forced President Biden out of the race is because they had come to the conclusion that he could not win,” he said. “This is a true subversion of the will of the voters who cast their vote for President Biden to be their nominee.”
Democratic Rep. Jeff Jackson called for unity among the party.
“There are very few moments in history like this,” he said. “President Biden has earned his place among national leaders who showed true selflessness on behalf of our country, and he deserves our genuine gratitude. Now, unity and victory.”
As reactions continue to stream in, Biden is expected to address the nation later this week.
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