New York leaders react to Biden's decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential election
NEW YORK -- President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential election was probably more consequential here than any place else because several New York lawmakers played a pivotal roll in pushing him off the stage.
You could say that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries were like puppeteers, urgently yet privately pulling the strings to orchestrate the public campaign to convince Biden to opt out of the race.
As recently as two days ago, Jeffries was still giving public lip service the idea of Biden running for reelection, even though all the while he had privately made it clear to the president that many Democratic members of the House thought it was time for the party to switch horses.
Now, he's full of praise, calling Biden one of the most accomplished leaders in history.
"Joe Biden has been one of the most consequential presidents in American history. He rescued the country from a once-in-a-century pandemic. He saved the economy from the possibility of recession, and also, of course, was able to preserve our democracy by defeating the former president, insurrectionist-in-chief."
Schumer, the other New Yorker who played a pivotal role in the move to get Biden to step aside, praised the president as "... a truly amazing human being. His decision, of course, was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first. Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and great American."
Robert Zimmerman, the national committeeman from New York to the Democratic party, pointed out the great sacrifice Biden is making.
"He's putting his own ambition second. He's putting our country's needs first by listening to the people and putting the focus on protecting our democracy and moving our nation forward first. It's just the opposite of Donald Trump, who never put our country ahead of his own personal ambitions," Zimmerman said.
The president's decision was also praised by Gov. Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, and Democratic lawmakers form one end of the state to the other.
Adams is a delegate to the convention.
"I want to just humanize this for a moment. This is as great American. You know how hard it is to set aside your ambition and what you always wanted to do because you think it's the best thing for the country? And that's what he did. All his personal tribulations and trials and pain he continues to show why he is who he is," Adams said.
Calls come for unity behind Harris
Several New York congressmen, who had publicly called for Biden to decline to run again, not only praised him but called on the party to unite behind Vice President Kamala Harris as soon as possible, to give here the best chance of winning
"I feel strongly that we as a party have to unify around a Vice President Harris so that we can shift the focus where it belongs, on the critical mission of defeating Donald Trump. As far as I'm concerned, Donald Trump is too unhinged and too unstable to be anywhere near the presidency. And the time has come not for more instability, but for unity," Rep. Ritchie Torres said.
Mayor Adams did not immediately endorse Harris, saying he wants to let the process play out. Sources told CBS New York's Marcia Kramer both Jeffries and Schumer spoke to Harris on Sunday.
How Biden dropping out may impact House races
Kramer spoke with Jeffries two days ago and he told her he plans to wage a strong campaign here to try and defeat the five freshman Republicans on Long Island and upstate.
Jeffries told Kramer he thinks Democrats have a really good chance of taking at least two seats -- one in Syracuse and one on Long Island -- and maybe more.
Obviously, the odds improve with Harris, who will focus on the anti-abortion stance of the GOP.
As for when Harris could be nominated, Kramer reported it could happen before the Democratic National Convention, which begins Aug. 19. She said it's likely she is nominated virtually before the convention because the party has to do it before Aug. 7 to get her name on the ballot in Ohio, which is a key battleground state. Sources said that virtual hearing could happen as early as Aug. 1.
Here are reactions to Biden exiting the race from many prominent New York lawmakers:
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D)
"Joe Biden has not only been a great president and a great legislative leader but he is a truly amazing human being. His decision of course was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first."
"Joe, today shows you are a true patriot and great American."
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D)
"President Biden has served our country with courage, compassion, integrity and decency. I am honored to have served in the Senate during his administration, which achieved historic accomplishments related to gun safety, veterans' health care, infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, climate change, prescription drugs, and more. President Biden has improved the lives of millions of Americans and leaves behind a legacy that will echo for generations. On behalf of myself and every New Yorker: Thank you, Joe."
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D)
"President Joe Biden is one of the most accomplished and consequential leaders in American history."
"In less than one term, he rescued the nation from a once-in-a-century pandemic, brought the economy roaring back from the brink of recession, exacted consequential legislation for everyday Americans and saved our democracy by defeating the Insurrectionist-in-Chief."
"America is a better place today because President Joe Biden has led us with intellect, grace and authority."
"We are forever grateful."
NYC Mayor Eric Adams (D)
"America owes a debt of gratitude to President Joe Biden for his decades of service. He and his team took us out of COVID, stabilized the country, and restored the soul of the nation."
"President Biden is now again delivering for the American people by passing the torch at a critical moment, when the country needs strong leadership from a new generation."
"From here, the Democratic Party must continue to put working-people first and address their concerns about the cost of living, public safety, and our shared democratic values. I look forward to working with senior members of the party as we make our push towards November and ensure we address the concerns of New Yorkers and all Americans."
Rep. Anthony D'Esposito (R)
"President Biden's record in office: chaos at our border, debilitating inflation, crises overseas. Biden and Democrats have failed the American people on all fronts. No matter the nominee, we must elect Republicans up and down the ballot this November."
D'Esposito represents a portion of Nassau County on Long Island.
Rep. Ritchie Torres (D)
"President Joe Biden's selfless decision to step aside for a new generation of leadership—Vice President Kamala Harris—is an act of Washingtonian statesmanship. President Biden leaves behind a transformative legacy that puts him in the pantheon of great presidents among the likes of FDR and LBJ."
"He has set our country on a trajectory to transition to a clean energy economy and combat catastrophic climate change. He has made the largest investments in infrastructure in more than half a century. He has positioned the United States to lead the 21st century with unprecedented investments in science and semiconductors. He has given America the most productive and productively bipartisan presidency in recent memory in areas ranging from gun safety to veteran health care."
"President Biden's decision to exit the stage is not an act of weakness but an act of strength—an affirmation that he has had a level of achievement in one term that most two-term Presidents would envy and few could emulate. His has been a monumental presidency for the ages, one that will be remembered long after his time in office."
Torres represents most of the South Bronx.
Rep. Jerry Nadler (D)
"Joe Biden, like FDR and LBJ before him, will go down as one of the most consequential Presidents in American history—having led our nation's recovery through one of its darkest chapters and making record-breaking investments in American families. Joe's announcement today reflects what we've known all along: he is an American patriot who is willing to put America's interests over his own."
Nadler, whose district includes central Manhattan, reportedly told Mr. Biden to leave the race after the debate with Donald Trump.
A few days later, Nadler said he's "fully supportive" of the president and that he was not going to "comment on what I said in a private meeting.
Rep. Dan Goldman (D)
"For more than 50 years, President Joe Biden has represented the very best of public service. He has overcome unfathomable personal sorrow and heartache to valiantly represent Delaware in the Senate for 36 years, wisely serve as Vice President for eight years, and brilliantly lead our nation back from a domestic and international low point during his historically productive and successful Presidency."
"In the ultimate demonstration of personal sacrifice for the benefit of our country, President Biden has made the difficult but selfless decision to pass the torch to the next generation of leaders in the Democratic Party to ensure that our democracy remains strong and true."
"The American people have made it clear that they want a new generation of leaders to run for President. President Biden has unselfishly heeded that call in order to preserve and protect our democracy, while the Republican nominee, Donald Trump, a 78-year-old suffering from clear mental deterioration, continues to put his personal interests over those of the nation's in his effort to avoid jail and tear down our democracy in the process."
"I urge Donald Trump to follow President Biden's lead and put the country first by passing his party's baton to a younger and healthier candidate who is not a convicted felon."
"President Biden has greatly benefited from having Vice President Kamala Harris by his side in enacting unprecedented legislation to revitalize our nation's infrastructure, return manufacturing jobs to our shores, reduce prescription drug prices, invest in energy independence through renewable energy, and return the United States to global preeminence."
"I proudly endorse Vice President Harris for president and look forward to working with her to preserve and protect our democracy and defeat Donald Trump on November 5."
"Together, we will finish the job."
Goldman's district includes Lower Manhattan and neighborhoods in western Brooklyn.
Pres. Bill Clinton and Sec. Hillary Clinton (D)
"President Biden has capped his extraordinary career of service with a Presidency that has lifted America out of an unprecedented pandemic, created millions of new jobs, rebuilt a battered economy, strengthened our democracy, and restored out standing in the world. By any measure, he has advanced our founders' charge to build a more perfect union and his own stated goal of restoring the soul of our nation."
"We join millions of Americans in thanking President Biden for all he has accomplished, standing up for America time and again, with his North Star always being what's best for the country."
"We are honored to join the President in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do whatever we can to support her."
"We've lived through many ups and downs, but nothing has made us more worried for our country than the threat posed by a second Trump term. He has promised to be a dictator on day one, and the recent ruling by his servile Supreme Court will only embolden him to further shred the Constitution. Now is the time to support Kamala Harris and fight with everything we've got to elect her. America's future depends on it."
Former President Clinton and Secretary Clinton, who was a New York senator from 2001-2009 and the 2016 Democratic nominee for president, reside in Chappaqua, New York.
Jay Jacobs, chairman of the NYS Democratic Committee
"I admired Joe Biden when he was a United States Senator. I thought his selection as Barack Obama's Vice Presidential pick was perfect for our country. I have admired Joe Biden's decency, honesty, and his demonstrated courage in the face of the most difficult of personal adversities. Joe Biden has been one of our most successful and impactful Presidents - certainly one of the most productive in the past 60 years -- and I have admired the job he has done under the most difficult of circumstances.
"I have never admired Joe Biden more than I do today. Voluntarily ceding the nomination and forgoing a chance to serve for another four years in the job that he did so well in and spent a lifetime dreaming of attaining, is as noble an act as ever recorded in America's political history. Joe Biden's selflessness; his putting country and party above his own personal desires, places him in the category of every great political leader since George Washington set the standard some 225 years ago.
"While the nation's gratitude may be blurred by the politics of our current times, history will record and all will long remember Joe Biden not just for what he did as President, but for what he gave up, so that we may continue as that 'shining city on a hill.'"
