“America has never been better positioned than it is today”

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Lerato Khumalo

After long discussions, US President Joe Biden has decided not to run for re-election. He addressed the nation in an emotional letter. The statement in full.

Over the last three and a half years we have made great progress as a nation.

Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We’ve made historic investments in rebuilding our country, lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and making affordable health care available to a record number of Americans. We’ve provided much-needed help to one million veterans exposed to toxic substances. We’ve passed the first gun control law in 30 years. We’ve appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And we’ve passed the most significant climate legislation in history. America has never been better positioned to lead.

I know that none of this would have been possible without you, the American people. Together, we have weathered a pandemic of the century and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We have protected and preserved our democracy. And we have revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world.

It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President, and while it was my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country to withdraw my candidacy and focus on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.

I will speak to the nation later this week and explain my decision.

But for now, let me express my deepest gratitude to everyone who worked so hard to get me re-elected. I also want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in this effort. And let me express from the bottom of my heart my appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me.

I believe today what I have always believed: that there is nothing America cannot accomplish – if we do it together. We just have to remember that we are the United States of America.”