Even as Democrats await President Joe Biden's decision, supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris have been working behind the scenes over the past week to secure support from delegates, according to CNN.
The goal of these efforts was not to push Biden out of the race, but rather to prepare if he decided to withdraw, according to the report.
"We've been packing delegates over the last week," a senior Democratic strategist who worked on Harris' 2020 campaign told CNN.
In a related context, Virginia Senator Tim Kaine announced his support for Harris to become the Democratic Party's nominee
On the other hand, a number of members of the Democratic Party praised the decision of US President Joe Biden to withdraw from running for elections, considering that he put his party and his future first.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said: “Joe Biden was not only a great president and legislative leader, he is a truly amazing human being. His decision was, of course, difficult, but he once again put his country, his party, and our future first.”
He added: "Joe, today you are showing that you are a true patriot and a great American."
US President Joe Biden announced in a statement issued on Sunday that he will not run for a new presidential term in the 2024 elections, stressing that he will focus on performing his duties as president for the rest of his term.
Support Kamala Harris
Other Democrats are expected to follow Biden's lead and support Kamala Harris.
With President Joe Biden offering his support to Vice President Kamala Harris as an alternative nominee, a senior Democratic official tells CNN that he believes other senior leaders in the party will follow suit.
Democrats can "use this moment to bring the party together and refocus on the challenge against Donald Trump," the official said.
Another senior Democratic official, who was in close contact with former President Nancy Pelosi and other leaders during the past three weeks of the escalating crisis, said Democratic elected officials and others will unite behind Harris.
“People will unite behind Harris,” a senior Democratic official said. “Who will run against her?”
Democrats praise Biden's decision
Sen. Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat who is running for re-election in the battleground state of Wisconsin, thanked President Joe Biden for his decision not to seek re-election.
“It has been an honor to work with Joe Biden to achieve real, tangible change for Wisconsin workers across our state,” Baldwin said in a statement. “Today, seniors are paying less for prescription drug prices, our state’s infrastructure is being rebuilt, and millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions are enjoying the “With health coverage because of the work we do together.”
"Through it all, I have been inspired by his integrity and commitment to service, for which I am deeply grateful. Thank you, President Biden," she added.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer also thanked President Joe Biden in a social media post moments after he announced he would not seek re-election in 2024. She also said her role in the election "will remain the same: doing everything I can to elect Democrats and stop Donald Trump."
“President Biden is a great public servant who knows better than anyone what it will take to defeat Donald Trump,” she wrote in a post on the “X” platform. “His amazing work reducing prescription drug costs, fixing roads, bringing supply chains back home, and tackling climate change, “Ensuring America’s global leadership for decades will remain in history.”
Deputy Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin also praised President Biden's decision to withdraw from the presidential race, saying he "has always put country first."
“Now the Democratic Party must unite behind a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump and keep America moving in the right direction,” Durbin said. “I will do everything I can to help in this effort.”
In turn, Democratic National Committee Chairman Jimmy Harrison spoke about President Joe Biden's decision not to seek re-election at the beginning of a previously scheduled meeting of the Credentials Committee at the conference.
"I want to say this on a personal level," Harrison said. "I'm moved by the president's decision. Because this president, Joe Biden, was a transformational president. He was a great leader. He's a good man, an honest man. He's done a lot for this country. He's done a lot to see us as people, to value us." "To fight for us."
He added: "I'm moved, because I still, still, support Biden. I still support my president. We will get through this, my friends, as we always do."
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