US President Biden says he is passing the torch to new generation to unite count

US President Joe Biden has said his decision to step aside from the 2024 presidential race and endorse Kamala Harris as Democratic Presidential nominee was as an act aimed at unifying the nation and passing the torch to a new generationThe primetime speech marked the first time Biden had spoken directly to the American people on camera since his announcement three days ago that he was stepping away from the campaign trailIve decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation Thats the best way to unite our nation I there is a time and a place for long years of experience in public life but theres also a time and a place for new voices fresh voices yes younger voices and that time and place is now an emotional Biden said in the rare Oval Office address on WednesdayBiden 81 said he revered the Presidents Office office but he loved his country moreIts been the honour of my life to serve as president but in the defense of democracy which is at stake I think its more important than any titleI believe my record as president my leadership in the world my vision for Americas future all merited a second term Biden said Wednesday night But nothing nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy That includes personal ambition so Ive decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generationOn Harris Biden said she is experienced shes tough shes capable and called her an incredible partner during their threeandahalf years togetherIve made my choice Ive made my views known Now the choice is up to you the American people he saidBiden continued to emphasise what he believes is at risk this election which hes repeatedly cast as an inflexion point to save the nations founding principlesI ran for president four years ago because I believed and still do that the soul of America was at stake the very nature of who we are was at stake he said And thats still the caseHarris 59 who is of Indian and African origin has now emerged as the presumptive presidential nominee of the Democratic PartyIve made it clear that I believe America is at an inflection point one of those rare moments in history when the decisions we make now will determine our fate of our nation and the world for decades to come he said from the Oval OfficeHe was surrounded by First Lady Jill Biden son Hunter Biden and several members of his family Toward the end of remarks Ashley Biden reached for the hand of her mother Jill Biden who was seated next to herAfter the president concluded his remarks Jill Biden walked to the Resolute Desk and stood next to her husbandVice President Kamala Harris watched Bidens Address to the Nation from Houston where she is spending the night after visiting the citys Emergency Operations Center to receive a briefing on the ongoing recovery efforts following Hurricane BerylBiden in his remarks said that America is going to have to choose between moving forward or backward between hope and hate between unity and divisionWe have to decide do we still believe in honesty decency respect freedom justice and democracy In this moment we can see those we disagree with not as enemies but as fellow Americans he saidBiden also looked ahead to what he still hopes to do in these final six months He zeroed in on the need to address gun violence and climate change continuing to improve the economy and reforming the US Supreme CourtThat means Ill continue to lower costs for hardworking families grow our economy and Ill keep defending our personal freedoms and our civil rights from the right to vote to the right to choose Ill keep calling out hate and extremism and make it clear there is no place no place in America for political violence or any violence ever period Im going to keep speaking out to protect our kids from gun violence our planet from climate crisis is the existential threat he saidBiden said he is the first president in this century to report to the American people that the United States is not at war anywhere in the worldWell keep rallying a coalition of proud nations to stop Putin from taking over Ukraine and doing more damage Well keep NATO stronger and Ill make it more powerful and more united than at any time in all of our history he saidIll keep doing the same for allies in the Pacific You know when I came to office the conventional wisdom was that China would inevitably surpass the United States Thats not the case anymore Im going to keep working to end the war in Gaza bring home all the hostages and bring peace and security to the Middle East and end this war said the presidentBiden said in just a few months the American people will choose the course of Americas futureBiden who initially resisted calls to step aside and insisted he was the best person to take on Donald Trump said he now believes a new path is necessaryThe president did not address ongoing Republican criticisms about his fitness to serve The White House earlier Wednesday had said his health had nothing to do with his decisionThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever