where we begin with washington, dc, where we begin with major breaking news. presidentjoe biden announced he is ending his re—election bid, withdrawing his name from the 2024 presidential race and endorsing president kamala harris as the new nominee. in a statement on x, joe biden said it has been the greatest honour of my life to serve as your president, and while it has been my intention to seek re—election, i believe it is in the best interest of my party and country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term. i will speak to the nation later this week in more detail about my decision. in a separate post, he endorsed vice president kamala harris to be the new presidential nominee. the 81—year—old president was under increasing criticism since a poor debate performance against his opponent donald trump in latejune. a number of democrats called for president biden

to end his campaign. democratic donors also threatened to pull funding. former donald former president donald trump has responded with a post on true social saying, quickerjoe biden was not fit for president and is not certainly not fit to serve, never was. he obtained a post only by lies, fake news and not leaving his basement, said president trump. all those around him, including his doctors in the media knew that he wasn't capable of being present, and he wasn't, and now look what he has done to our country, with millions of people coming across our border totally unchecked and unfettered, many from prisons, mental institutions and record numbers of terrorists, said the statement. we will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. former president trump concluding his statement, make america great again. joining me now is north america

correspondent nomia iqbal. the pressure has certainly been building onjoe biden for three or so weeks now, but was there any indication he would make a decision today? there were lots of rumours that there might be a consequential decision this weekend, but following the presidential debate injune, we have seen this huge pressure on president biden. it was largely seen as a disastrous performance, and created huge concern among the democratic party about his age, his fragility, his ability, and we saw that momentum on him to basically get him to stand down, but then you saw the attempted assassination of donald trump last weekend which seems to bring this democratic party rebellion to a standstill, but then it came back up again when we were at the convention, and we saw that again, you had more democrats coming

out and saying that they weren't confident that mr biden could lead them to victory, and now we are in this astonishing moment, this seismic event that has happened in american political history. i think joe biden is the first president to agree not to seek a second term since 1881, and this is huge, we are now in this position where president biden has announced that he will not seek a second term. as you said, he has endorsed the vice president kamala harris. it is not a done deal. it doesn't necessarily mean she will get the nomination, though all the others who could potentially challenge her have not said so. but this comes just a month challenge her have not said so. but this comesjust a month before challenge her have not said so. but this comes just a month before the democratic national convention, where joe democratic national convention, wherejoe biden was at some point expected to be the man that would face donald trump once again for the election in november. of course, lyndon bjohnson didn't of course, lyndon bjohnson didn't go for a second term. he came into

office obviously halfway through jfk's assassination, but nomia, has the president given anything specifically as his reasons, or was it all this pressure just building on him? ithink on him? i think the pressure is a big part of it, of course. when you read his statement, he does talk about his agenda, what he has delivered as president, and you can't help but think that when you have the most influential members of the democratic party, such as nancy pelosi, who wasn't endorsing president biden, she was not asking him to stand down either, when you have their conversations, their private conversations being leaked, you get a sense that the pressure had really reached a certain point. you will see the republicans have come out with lots of different reactions. you have got those who are now starting the attack ads, the attack on kamala harris, and then you have those, such as mitch mcconnell and mikejohnson, who have

expressed that this is somehow unlawful, that so many millions of people voted forjoe biden in the primaries, but it's worth pointing out that election experts, those who specialise in election law, will say it is not illegal, becausejoe biden is not officially the nominee. that would have happened at the democratic national convention. i think what you will see more republicans doing is arguing that the president biden thinks that he is not fit enough to continue to run in the election, he should stand down now and not stand down in january when the new president is inaugurated. 0f inaugurated. of course, as you say, that has become a major talking point from the republican party injust a become a major talking point from the republican party in just a short amount of time since this announcement was made. joe biden making the announcement on of the modern era, i suppose, making the announcement on of the modern era, isuppose, on making the announcement on of the modern era, i suppose, on x, on twitter. he is not spoken publicly. any indication of when he might

speak publicly? it is really interesting that he made the statement on social media rather than addressing the nation today, and i think there will be a lot read into that. he has covid at the moment. he was diagnosed with covid. he is recovering from covid, so there will probably be more speculation about the state of his health right now and why he did not make a public statement, but we understand he will address the nation at some point later this week. he is in delaware for the weekend, his home, and he will travel to dc and make that public statement in the coming days, he said. ican said. i canjust said. i can just say, said. i canjust say, while said. i can just say, while we are chatting there, we had a statement coming in from the vice president kamala harris, whojoe biden has now endorsed as who he thinks should be the democratic party nominee for the white house. i willjust read that to you, coming to us in the last minute or two. she says: on behalf of the american people, i thankjoe biden for his extraordinary leadership as president of the

united states and for his decades of service to our country. his remarkable legacy of accomplishment is unmatched in modern american history, surpassing the legacy of many presidents who have served two terms in office. she continues: it is a profound honour to serve as his vice president, and i am deeply grateful to the president, to dr biden and the entire biden family. i first came to know president biden from his sun beau. we work together as the attorney general for our home states. as we work together, beau would tell me stories about his dad, the kind of father and the kind of man he was, and the quality is beau revered in his father at the same values and qualities i have seen every single day and joe's leadership as president. she continues, his honesty and integrity, his big heart and commitment of his faith in his family, and his love of his country and the american people. vice president harris also says in the statement: this selfless and

unpatriotic act, president biden is doing what he has done throughout his life of service, putting the american people and our country above everything else. i am honoured to have the president's endorsement, and my intention is to earn and when this nomination. 0ver and my intention is to earn and when this nomination. over the past year, i have travelled across the country, talking with americans about the clear choice in this momentous election, and that's what i will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead. i will do everything in my power to unite the democratic party and unite our nation to defeat donald trump and his extreme project 2025 agenda. she concludes: we have 107 days until election day. together, we will fight, and together we will win. that statement coming to us just together we will win. that statement coming to usjust in together we will win. that statement coming to us just in the last moment from vice president kamala harris. and, nomia, on the points she makes there, what is going to happen out within the democratic party in terms of making her, if it is indeed to be her, the official nominee? what happens between now and the convention?

we will see if the party unites behind her. that's the big question, isn't it? there are lots of other people who have been suggested as potentials to take over from president biden. we had all those names mentioned during the time when there was pressure on him to stand aside. gavin newsom, for example, pete bootyjudge, gretchen whitmer, so we will now see if they will get behind kamala harris and have that unity before they get to the convention. —— pete buttigieg. interestingly, president 0bama released a statement, along statement paying tribute to the vice president who served him faithfully for eight years, and the thing that really stuck out is this bit. he said: i have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges. he doesn't endorse kamala harris. he indicates potentially that he wants an open contest, and many members of the democratic party have been saying

before mr biden made this announcement that an open convention would be chaotic. they would use that word chaotic even though conventions, of course, are a perfectly normal way of selecting a candidate. but ultimately, kamala harris will want to try and unify the party behind her. and, nomia, that is the big task ahead, coming out of the week we have just had ahead, coming out of the week we havejust had in milwaukee, where ahead, coming out of the week we have just had in milwaukee, where we saw this united front of the republican party, even if it is not fully united behind the scenes. that is the scene the party is presenting to the country, and the democrats have been a marked difference, given the disarray in recent days? i think certainly what i have found, the republicans when i was in milwaukee were enjoying the chaos happening within the democratic party, the way it was in disarray. that is politics, isn't it? for many voters i spoke to, the delegates i spoke to, they viewed that as an advantage. they have all really solidified behind donald trump following that assassination

attempt, and for many of them i spoke to, they were very happy with president biden being the opponent, and i think you can inferfrom that that they believe it's because donald trump can beatjoe biden. and so now, the big question for the democratic party is, yes, can they be as unified behind their nominee as the republicans are behind various? at the moment, none of those other members of the democratic party who were seen as potential contenders to —— pretenders tojoe biden�*s throne have put their hat in the ring, but it has only been a few hours, so we will have to see over the coming days, and we are about a month away from the democratic national convention, to see if that changes. thank you so much, as always, nomia. joe biden is in delaware, where he

is being after a covid diagnosis, and cutting short his trip. joining me is north america correspondent nada tawfik. what is the latest there? has anyone seen the president in recent days? of course, he is self isolating. of course, he is self isolating. yes, caitriona, where i am in the gordon state pond beach, joe biden�*s home isjust a gordon state pond beach, joe biden�*s home is just a few hundred feet away. the secret service have posted up away. the secret service have posted up here and also right outside his private community, and anybody that comes up to that area where his private community is, the secret service are moving them along, shouting that they cannot stop, they cannot even take one picture. as you cannot even take one picture. as you can imagine, many people reflecting on this being a historic moment. i had the opportunity to speak to a few beach—goers who are here, making that very point, seeing how surreal it is that this is happening just a

a few hundred feet from where they are on the beach. it is really kind of striking juxtaposition, as this news broke across the country, everyone reacting to it and absorbing it, a kind of quiet atmosphere here as well, as people kind of come to terms thatjoe biden has stood down. keep in mind, this is a community where he has frequented with his family for a long time, so those i have spoken to on both sides of the aisle have said that, look, he deserves now, given his age, to retire, aside. there were those who are 0h! we seem to have lost our connection there to nomia in delaware. let's see if we can get her back. no? we will come back later in the programme. we are

bringing you this breaking news that joe biden has said he will not stand for election for the democratic party in november. plenty of reaction since that announcement, as you can imagine. former us president barack 0bama, a staunch ally of mr biden, issued a statement of confidence in a process to select a presidential nominee, saying: �*we will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead. but i have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges. i believe thatjoe biden�*s vision of a generous, prosperous, and united america that provides opportunity for everyone will be on full display at the democratic convention in august. potential contenders in the running for consideration at the forthcoming democratic national convention released statements praising president biden. potential contenders for consideration also released a statement praising president biden. california governor gavin newsom said mr biden �*will go down in history as one

of the most impactful and selfless presidents.�* and michigan governor gretchen whitmer in a statement on x and emphasised that �*myjob in this election will remain the same: �*doing everything i can to elect democrats and stop donald trump'. let's talk about all this with my panel: former democratic congresswoman stephanie murphy from florida and former republican congressman rodney davis from illinois. thanks to you both definite, we spent the week on the walkie—talkie but will they, won't they, relating to joe biden but will they, won't they, relating tojoe biden and the wider democratic party. what you think is because the president to come to this decision today? —— what you think is because the president to come to this decision? i think is because the president to come to this decision?— come to this decision? i think at the end of— come to this decision? i think at the end of the _ come to this decision? i think at the end of the day, _ come to this decision? i think at the end of the day, he _ come to this decision? i think at the end of the day, he did - come to this decision? i think at the end of the day, he did whatl come to this decision? i think at i the end of the day, he did what his got told to do, what his loyalty to the country and his patriotism told him to do, and it is actually a

tremendous feat. i don't know a tremendous feat. i don't know a tremendous amount of people who have power and yield it, but what he did stands in stark contrast with the other side, to put country over self, and you don't really fancy that. and it doesn't in any way diminish the accomplishments he has had over his decades of service to this country, or the presidential period of time he had over the last three and a half years. this was always an election about the future, and i think he acknowledged that maybe he wasn't the best messenger in this moment for the future. but that doesn't diminish at all the good work that he has done to date, and so this is really quite a remarkable act of selflessness. rodney, what is the review from the republican side of the house? —— what is the view? your public is —— your party is heading out energised after a successful conference and you don't know who you are running

against. you don't know who you are running aaainst. , , against. they said the same things i said to ou against. they said the same things i said to you and _ against. they said the same things i said to you and stephanie _ against. they said the same things i said to you and stephanie at - against. they said the same things i said to you and stephanie at the - said to you and stephanie at the convention. this smells like a political— convention. this smells like a political backroom deal. we witness the biggest power brokers in the democratic party, and i heard you mention_ democratic party, and i heard you mention that barack 0bama is a great friend _ mention that barack 0bama is a great friend of— mention that barack 0bama is a great friend ofjoe biden. he is not a great _ friend ofjoe biden. he is not a great friend! he pushed them out of the way— great friend! he pushed them out of the way in _ great friend! he pushed them out of the way in 2016 so that secretary clinton _ the way in 2016 so that secretary clinton could win, and he is one that— clinton could win, and he is one that i_ clinton could win, and he is one that i believe shove the final life in the _ that i believe shove the final life in the back ofjoe biden to help push _ in the back ofjoe biden to help push him — in the back ofjoe biden to help push him out of this race. there are many— push him out of this race. there are many questions need to be answered stop -- _ many questions need to be answered stop —— shoved at the final knife. what _ stop —— shoved at the final knife. what will— stop —— shoved at the final knife. what will the process to replace look like? it seems like the democrats coalescing behind vice president— democrats coalescing behind vice president harris. questions also need _ president harris. questions also need to— president harris. questions also need to be asked of her, how long has she _ need to be asked of her, how long has she known about the president has she known about the president has micro — has she known about the president has micro cognitive decline that the world _ has micro cognitive decline that the world witnessed in kind of accommodation on the debate stage a weeks _ accommodation on the debate stage a weeks ago. _ accommodation on the debate stage a weeks ago, a sadness for a person rather— weeks ago, a sadness for a person rather than —

weeks ago, a sadness for a person rather than a president overwhelm republicans and democrats. the republicans and democrats. the republicans are going to run against any candidate the democrats put up. they will_ any candidate the democrats put up. they will provide a great race between _ they will provide a great race between candidates in the presidential race this year. it will be presidential race this year. it will he an— presidential race this year. it will be an expensive race. everybody knows _ be an expensive race. everybody knows president trump. republicans left milwaukee unified. we are excited, — left milwaukee unified. we are excited, and frankly, i think this was something many republicans might have expected, and they are going to make _ have expected, and they are going to make sure _ have expected, and they are going to make sure they are prepared for it. if you _ make sure they are prepared for it. if you things to unpack the president biden has any medical condition, otherthan president biden has any medical condition, other than covid, which they unveil that diagnosis last week when he was in las vegas, but what rodney is saying they're about some kind of backroom deal amongst the party to force him out, what do you think about that? president biden came to this decision given all the facts that were presented to him, and his advisers and him are seasoned

politicians. they know how to read polls. they saw what was happening, they saw the question about his age and his ability to lead in the next four years was overwhelming the democratic message. these are people who are able to read polls, and he made this decision on his own, and i would say, to point to the back room thing, there is no such thing in the democratic party! i often say, i don't belong to an organised party, i am a democrat! there is no longer a thing such as a back room, smoke—filled room where things get decided that came as a surprise to people even on his own campaign. but he came to this of his own accord and because of his love for country, and because of his love for country, and what this means is, this gives us an opportunity as democrats to present a future vision for this country, as opposed to what the republicans are doing, which is to

litigate the past, and so i think this is a good opportunity for us to showcase our very deep and talented young democratic bench in ideas, and have a debate on the conversation about who this torch should be passed on to, and then we will unite behind, after the convention, and work as hard as we can going up to election day. talk to me a little bit about that time though, because if it is waited until the convention to have a formal nominee in the vice presidential nominee, it's very, very soon to election date at that point. what you the process is going to look like? to your british audiences, it probably doesn't feel like it is all that soon, because what i understand is that you all are able to conduct your election is about three or four months' time, and that is what we are looking at here, and i'm

somebody who was a first—time candidate to run with four months —— who ran with four months before the 2016 election, ran and won. i think the benefits of running a short campaign in that way is, you get to define yourself so long as you have the resources, and i think the democrats will ensure that you ever comes out of convention have the resources. you get to define yourself and you're not spending all this i'm having the other malign your character, but you get to define yourself and lay out a vision of the future of this country, which the american people have been begging for four years, the american people have been begging forfour years, and the american people have been begging for four years, and the democratic party gets a chance to do that. i think the aegis of what the convention will look like will be up to our delegates. we have a system in which, if the delegates vote to change rules or whatnot, that is well within the party's rights. we as the party have the right to determine how we select our candidate, just the same way that the republican party has a right to determine that, and we sawjust last

week that they alienate a significant part of their base in order to make platform changes, but they did it by a democratic vote of they did it by a democratic vote of the delegates. so all these parties have the opportunity to create the infrastructure and the structure by which they choose their delegate, but once they choose the delegate, . .. but once they choose the delegate,... i'm sorry, not their delegate,... i'm sorry, not their delegate, their candidate, but once they choose their candidate, that person will be on the ballot. but would it be possible to do that process ahead of time? there was a suggestion there would be this virtual roll call ahead of time to putjoe biden at the top of the ticket. could something similar happen and then the vice president and presidential nominee would be in place by the time the fight against a chicago? too soon to tell you exactly what will happen, but i will tell you that the democratic party is committed to a democratic process. we have answered to the voters once before, and we will continue to answer to the voters, which means we have to have a transparent process for how we pick our new nominee now,

and to be clear, president biden was never the nominee, so he has stepped aside before he became the nominee, but we have to have a transparent process by which we reach the nominee and to have a transparent nomination process. what does this all mean for former president donald trump and jd vance, given they won't have formal names to run against for another month? you saw the unified republican party coming _ you saw the unified republican party coming out _ you saw the unified republican party coming out of milwaukee a few days a-o. coming out of milwaukee a few days ago they— coming out of milwaukee a few days ago. they will be ready to take on any democrat. the only thing transparent about what has taken place _ transparent about what has taken place today was, democratic power brokers _ place today was, democratic power brokers. former president 0bama to speak— brokers. former president 0bama to speak former speaker pelosi to speaker— speak former speaker pelosi to speaker hakim jefferies and on down the line _ speaker hakim jefferies and on down the line. they pushed a sitting

president _ the line. they pushed a sitting president of the united states who is obviously, no matter how much gas lighting _ is obviously, no matter how much gas lighting that _ is obviously, no matter how much gas lighting that is going to come forward, _ lighting that is going to come forward, the world has witnessed his cognitive _ forward, the world has witnessed his cognitive decline. no one is going to ask— cognitive decline. no one is going to ask him. — cognitive decline. no one is going to ask him, caitriona, his medical condition — to ask him, caitriona, his medical condition. frankly, idon't to ask him, caitriona, his medical condition. frankly, i don't know condition. frankly, idon't know anybody— condition. frankly, i don't know anybody that would ask the question, do you _ anybody that would ask the question, do you know what your medical condition— do you know what your medical condition is, because they wouldn't expect— condition is, because they wouldn't expect him — condition is, because they wouldn't expect him to after what we have seen _ expect him to after what we have seen with — expect him to after what we have seen with the debate, what we have seen with the debate, what we have seen since _ seen with the debate, what we have seen since then in public appearances, and frankly, as we move ahead, _ appearances, and frankly, as we move ahead, we _ appearances, and frankly, as we move ahead, we can't continue to make this look— ahead, we can't continue to make this look like a selfless decision on behalf— this look like a selfless decision on behalf of president biden. if this was— on behalf of president biden. if this was a — on behalf of president biden. if this was a family member who was experiencing the same cognitive decline. — experiencing the same cognitive decline, and in the midst, as you mentioned, — decline, and in the midst, as you mentioned, of a covid infection, we would _ mentioned, of a covid infection, we would he _ mentioned, of a covid infection, we would be asking ourselves, who is taking _ would be asking ourselves, who is taking advantage of the senior citizen, — taking advantage of the senior citizen, this grandpa, at a time when _ citizen, this grandpa, at a time when he — citizen, this grandpa, at a time when he is _ citizen, this grandpa, at a time when he is sick? now, he is the president — when he is sick? now, he is the president of the united states. the orchestrated backroom deal that, no

matter— orchestrated backroom deal that, no matter what anyone says, was the only transparent part of this entire process, _ only transparent part of this entire process, it — only transparent part of this entire process, it is the reason whyjoe biden— process, it is the reason whyjoe biden is— process, it is the reason whyjoe biden is not the candidate any more, and it— biden is not the candidate any more, and it is— biden is not the candidate any more, and it is not— biden is not the candidate any more, and it is not because it is the best thing _ and it is not because it is the best thing for— and it is not because it is the best thing for america, because they would _ thing for america, because they would have kept him if they thought he was _ would have kept him if they thought he was the — would have kept him if they thought he was the best candidate. it's because — he was the best candidate. it's because democrats, and those power brokers _ because democrats, and those power brokers who shove the knife in the front— brokers who shove the knife in the front and _ brokers who shove the knife in the front and in— brokers who shove the knife in the front and in the back of a sitting president — front and in the back of a sitting president of the united states, it's because _ president of the united states, it's because they only care about one thing. _ because they only care about one thing, winning an election. do you _ thing, winning an election. do you share the view, rodney, of some others in your party thatjoe biden should actually resign the presidency immediately? yes. i don't know how one could say that the _ yes. i don't know how one could say that the sitting president is not capable — that the sitting president is not capable of being a candidate, but is capable _ capable of being a candidate, but is capable of— capable of being a candidate, but is capable of making national security decisions — capable of making national security decisions. this is a major question to ask _ decisions. this is a major question to ask. another question to ask is, when _ to ask. another question to ask is, when it— to ask. another question to ask is, when it comes to his obvious cognitive _ when it comes to his obvious cognitive decline, when did vice president— cognitive decline, when did vice president harris recognise this? has

she been— president harris recognise this? has she been an — president harris recognise this? has she been an enabler in this process? who is— she been an enabler in this process? who is actually making the decisions? nobody, and i mean nobody. — decisions? nobody, and i mean nobody, believes that president biden— nobody, believes that president biden sat down, wrote a letter and make _ biden sat down, wrote a letter and make this — biden sat down, wrote a letter and make this decision on his own. that— make this decision on his own. that is— make this decision on his own. that is something that i think leaves — that is something that i think leaves america with a lot of questions that truly need to be answered by the white house, white house _ answered by the white house, white house staff, and democrats, for that matter _ matter. stephanie, is that a matter. — stephanie, is that a fair question from rodney, that ifjoe biden isn't able to be the candidate, then why is he staying on as president? i am actually a little confused by what rodney is arguing. 0n i am actually a little confused by what rodney is arguing. on one hand, he is saying this is a person who doesn't have the cognitive ability to be president, but then they also don't have the cognitive ability to not be president. i don't know. here is what happened. joe biden made a decision, he signed a letter that said he is stepping aside. he never had the nomination officially in the first place. to put country before

self, and now the democratic party has an opportunity to nominate somebody, and joe biden's issue was never an issue necessarily of governing. he governed just fine over the last three and a half years. his issue came around politics. it was a political issue, and a political issue that came about because people had concerns about because people had concerns about his ability to lead for the next four years, and all of the conversation was around whether or not he could lead for the next four years, and recognising that he no longer was the correct messenger for the democratic platform that has great things to run on. it has a vision for the future of this country, as opposed to a look back and an agenda that is about retribution and recrimination, and about the past. this party has a vision for the future. we just needed somebody who has the ability to present that vision in a way that

suits the media environment that we live in today, and so, you know, i think it takes a lot of self reflection and humility for president biden to recognise that he was not 100% to carry that message, but i think he will be just fine leading us into the fall, and in fact, part of what he said is that he wants to focus on doing his job. there is a lot going on right now, and we do need somebody who can be full—time on thejob, and we do need somebody who can be full—time on the job, focus on this while somebody else takes the charge of basically saving this country from a second trump term. so it makes all the sense in the world to divide and conquer in this way. all right, stephanie murphy and rodney davis, thank you so much for being with us. stay with us here on bbc news more and joe biden's decision today.

i'm joined now by a democratic congressman. thanks for speaking to us on bbc news. there has obviously been a lot of pressure onjoe pressure on joe biden pressure onjoe biden in recent weeks, but were you surprised by his announcement today? thanks for having me. today, i am thinking about the selfless act, putting country above self, that president biden executed today, in making this decision, and i know it was a hard one, but it is a reflection of the stakes of this upcoming election, that this is a very important election, and joe biden has been a consequential president, so today, i am reflecting on his legacy and his historic work on his legacy and his historic work on behalf of the american people. would you like to hear from on behalf of the american people. would you like to hearfrom him today? this announcement came on x, rather than from any kind of press conference or statement. he rather than from any kind of press conference or statement.- conference or statement. he put forward a thoughtful—

conference or statement. he put forward a thoughtful letter- conference or statement. he put forward a thoughtful letter that i forward a thoughtful letter that reflects his thinking, and i anticipate over the coming days, we would hearfrom president biden directly. i wasjust would hearfrom president biden directly. i was just with them last tuesday in nevada campaigning, and he knows how important it is that we do well, and his consequential presidency now needs to have the bets passed. in my opinion, to a vice president kamala harris who i enthusiastically endorsed to continue his legacy. d0 enthusiastically endorsed to continue his legacy.- enthusiastically endorsed to continue his legacy. do you think there should _ continue his legacy. do you think there should almost _ continue his legacy. do you think there should almost be - continue his legacy. do you think there should almost be another. there should almost be another primary selection process now or that the parties should rally behind the vice president was to mark? i fully believe the democrats are national good will have a fully open process that will value our process in every sense of the word, but i hope and encourage my fellow members of congress and collects and democratically during the country is the rally behind the vice president because she has worked hand in glove

with president biden to deliver on the promise of this presidency and white house. find the promise of this presidency and white house-— white house. and if she is the ultimate nominee, _ white house. and if she is the ultimate nominee, who - white house. and if she is the ultimate nominee, who would| white house. and if she is the - ultimate nominee, who would you like to see under vice presidential part of the ticket? brute to see under vice presidential part of the ticket?— of the ticket? we have so many aualified of the ticket? we have so many qualified people, _ of the ticket? we have so many qualified people, so _ of the ticket? we have so many qualified people, so the - of the ticket? we have so many qualified people, so the time i qualified people, so the time will come, we are only a few hours into this but i anticipate it will be someone who would have a record of service, that has an ability to bring people together, and who can hit the ground running from day one. so, i look forward to participating in that deliberation with members of the democratic party across the country. the democratic party across the count . ~ ., ., , the democratic party across the count .~ ., ., , ., country. we have heard calls from several peeple _ country. we have heard calls from several people within _ country. we have heard calls from several people within the - country. we have heard calls from i several people within the republican party for president biden to stand aside completely at this point, not just to not seek reelection, have you confidence in him standing on as president? i you confidence in him standing on as resident? ~ ., , you confidence in him standing on as resident? ,, ., , ., ., ., president? i think any notion of that is pure _ president? i think any notion of that is pure politics. _ president? i think any notion of that is pure politics. i _ president? i think any notion of that is pure politics. ithink- president? i think any notion of that is pure politics. i think it i that is pure politics. i think it is reallyjust that is pure politics. i think it is really just trying to that is pure politics. i think it is reallyjust trying to be a distraction, a distraction from what former president trump would put

forward with the project 2025, destroying norms, removing freedoms from this country. president biden is a capable leader who has served our country well and will service to that last woman on january 20 2025. when you talk about distractions, congressmen, has it not be the ultimate destruction for the democratic party and the 3.5 weeks orso democratic party and the 3.5 weeks or so since a debate in atlanta, to have all of this dirty linen aired in public when the republican party it looks so unified and the democratic party has been essentially trying to and succeeded in getting rid of the president from reelection? i in getting rid of the president from reelection? ~ , , reelection? i think this is demonstrated _ reelection? i think this is| demonstrated democratic reelection? i think this is - demonstrated democratic party reelection? i think this is _ demonstrated democratic party has a an abyss to lock—in, to think about ourfuture while at an abyss to lock—in, to think about our future while at the same time painting a picture, a picture of the former president trump's campaign one of vengeance and retribution and name—calling. that is what we see so

if they are united its behind an agenda that we move our country back and not forward and i look forward in the weeks ahead to go to the democratic national convention in chicago and show america that democrats have a vision to move forward and lower costs for the american people, to protect them from —— democracy and freedoms and bring our country together. haw from -- democracy and freedoms and bring our country together.— bring our country together. how do ou see bring our country together. how do you see that _ bring our country together. how do you see that process _ bring our country together. how do you see that process playing - bring our country together. how do you see that process playing out i you see that process playing out at the convention? brute you see that process playing out at the convention?— you see that process playing out at the convention? we will hear more from -a the convention? we will hear more from party leaders _ the convention? we will hear more from party leaders but _ the convention? we will hear more from party leaders but my - from party leaders but my anticipation is there'll be an open and transparent process that allows all the delegates to weigh in that we have a process that is not a coronation but in fact it democratic process that rallies us around who i hope will be our presidential nominee, vice president kamala harris. ., ., ., ., harris. he said a moment ago you were recently _ harris. he said a moment ago you were recently on _ harris. he said a moment ago you were recently on the _ harris. he said a moment ago you were recently on the campaign i harris. he said a moment ago you - were recently on the campaign should with presidentjoe biden in nevada, and have been in many spots with

them over the past few weeks and months campaigning, how do you think this will all impact the democratic party in the running to the election. of course, donald trump has been ahead ofjoe biden in most recent posts. has been ahead of joe biden in most recent posts-— recent posts. polling is a snapshot in time, recent posts. polling is a snapshot in time. it's— recent posts. polling is a snapshot in time. it's a _ recent posts. polling is a snapshot in time, it's a moment _ recent posts. polling is a snapshot in time, it's a moment in - recent posts. polling is a snapshot in time, it's a moment in time, i recent posts. polling is a snapshot l in time, it's a moment in time, what is more important is that democrats and all americans come together and pick a president who is going to have our best interests first, and thatis have our best interests first, and that is what we will have when we elect the democratic nominee, who i hope will be president —— vice president kamala harris, so i look forward to being on the campaign trail and being as enthusiastically behind our nominee, and working so that the american people can have the opportunity to thrive in this country. that we don't country state wealth at the top, and that we are keeping our word to our allies abroad, and that we are fighting for every single american. so that is the message we would put forward and i think he was sure to our country what we are capable of and how we can continue the progress we have

made to date. end can continue the progress we have made to date-— made to date. and what we are talkin: made to date. and what we are talking there, _ made to date. and what we are talking there, representative i made to date. and what we are l talking there, representative jim talking there, representativejim clyburn of north carolina has put a statement of the next scene that she's also endorsing vice president kamala harris stop he has said that, i'm just reading the statements, he echoes the good judgment thatjoe biden demonstrated in selecting vice president harris to lead this nation alongside them and i am proud to follow his lead in support of her candidates easy to succeed him as the democratic party is 2024 nominee for president. do you expect many of your colleagues will do the same, and this will be a straightforward process? i and this will be a straightforward rocess? ~ , , , process? i think the process will reflect openness _ process? i think the process will reflect openness and _ process? i think the process will. reflect openness and transparency, but i think will come to a consensus. the vice president has worked hand in glove with president biden since january 20,2021. i worked at the white house, was a senior staffer in the biden— harris white house and i've seen what she's capable of, and she's ready to lead

this country to our greater tomorrows, and i look forward to all my colleagues, as many of them as possible, i hope, supports and all were vice president so she can be sussex weald this november. there had been much _ sussex weald this november. there had been much discussion _ sussex weald this november. there had been much discussion in - sussex weald this november. there had been much discussion in recent daysin had been much discussion in recent days in particular that much of the pressure coming from the democratic party members was around concerns of four down ballot races, reese's in the house and the senate, do you think withjoe biden not seeking reelection that puts yourself and other colleagues on a strong effort in? ~ ., ., ., ., ., in? we would -- move forward from toda , in? we would -- move forward from today. and — in? we would -- move forward from today. and it — in? we would -- move forward from today. and it is _ in? we would -- move forward from today, and it is essential _ in? we would -- move forward from today, and it is essential that - in? we would -- move forward from today, and it is essential that we - today, and it is essential that we win the house and the senate, that he keim jeffries win the house and the senate, that he keimjeffries is win the house and the senate, that he keim jeffries is the next speaker for the house of representatives, so we are rolling our sleeves up, i am travelling to the country speaking to people about supporting my colleague so that everybody on the ballots, all the way down, in every state, every community in our country, that we are successful, and it is great to have, who i open will

be at the top of the ballots, vice president kamala harris.- be at the top of the ballots, vice president kamala harris. lovely to seak president kamala harris. lovely to s - eak to president kamala harris. lovely to speak to you. _ president kamala harris. lovely to speak to you, congressman - president kamala harris. lovely to speak to you, congressman gabe l president kamala harris. lovely to - speak to you, congressman gabe ambo from rhode island, thank you for joining us on bbc news. for more on the situation, let's bring in our correspondent, jenny kumah. she is in michigan. jenny, michigan one of the battleground states over which this election will be clearly fought. donald trump had been leading joe biden there in recent post, what is the reaction to the news there today? it is post, what is the reaction to the news there today?— post, what is the reaction to the news there today? it is pretty quiet here compared _ news there today? it is pretty quiet here compared to _ news there today? it is pretty quiet here compared to yesterday - news there today? it is pretty quiet here compared to yesterday when i here compared to yesterday when it was very busy but we have spoken to a few people and one was a trump supporter and he felt that this was good news for the trump campaign. he did not think that kamala harris would be a strong rival for him.

did not think that kamala harris would be a strong rivalfor him. we also spoke to some people who were democrat leaning, and he said he did not know kamala harris and they worried about how much time was left between now and the election to get to know her and what she stands for. we spoke to one person who said that he basic he felt he did not really like her, and said that she did not appear to be presidential, but he said that he felt that michelle 0bama would be a good person to run in the race. find 0bama would be a good person to run in the race. �* , , ., ,, ., in the race. and jenny, talk to us about the — in the race. and jenny, talk to us about the state _ in the race. and jenny, talk to us about the state of _ in the race. and jenny, talk to us about the state of play _ in the race. and jenny, talk to us about the state of play in - about the state of play in michigan at the moment. donald trump has been i had there in most of the recent polls, joe biden obviously had a particular situation in that state which has the largest number of arab american and muslim americans in the united states, and they were deeply unhappy with him over his policy in israel what is the state of play in michigan currently? this israel what is the state of play in michigan currently?— israel what is the state of play in michigan currently? this is the key battleground _ michigan currently? this is the key battleground states, _ michigan currently? this is the key battleground states, and - michigan currently? this is the key battleground states, and joe - michigan currently? this is the keyj battleground states, and joe biden one in 2020 here, but in 2016,

donald trump did. the one by very tight margins, so trump in 2016 by 10000 votes, president biden in 2020 by around 150,000 votes, so let us say that some polls suggest that this time around, donald trump is leading here, and one for this morning suggests that it's outstretched to a seven point lead. the question is, with this change and upheaval, where this leaves the race. when it hurt —— help turn things around or will trump extend that lead further? 0ne things around or will trump extend that lead further? one of the names mentioned in the build—up to this in terms of a potential people who could stand in forjoe biden was the democrat over here, gretchen whitmer, and she put out a statement today, and she has praised joe biden, and she is also said, myjob in this election remain the same, doing everything i can to elect

democrats and stop donald trump. so not seen there that she is going to stand, but also by not seen she is behind kamala harris. itrufillll stand, but also by not seen she is behind kamala harris.— stand, but also by not seen she is behind kamala harris. will there be a sense that — behind kamala harris. will there be a sense that she _ behind kamala harris. will there be a sense that she is _ behind kamala harris. will there be a sense that she is popular- behind kamala harris. will there be a sense that she is popular there i a sense that she is popular there are people will like her to put training forward?— training forward? could the question? _ training forward? could the question? is _ training forward? could the question? is there - training forward? could the question? is there a - training forward? could the question? is there a sense | training forward? could the - question? is there a sense that she is --oular question? is there a sense that she is popular in _ question? is there a sense that she is popular in the — question? is there a sense that she is popular in the state _ question? is there a sense that she is popular in the state and - question? is there a sense that she is popular in the state and that - is popular in the state and that people in michigan would like governor witmer to put her name forward? we governor witmer to put her name forward? ~ , ., governor witmer to put her name forward? ~ ., ., governor witmer to put her name forward? ~ , ., ., , .,, forward? we spoken to a few people about that, and _ forward? we spoken to a few people about that, and we _ forward? we spoken to a few people about that, and we have _ forward? we spoken to a few people about that, and we have had a - forward? we spoken to a few people about that, and we have had a bit i about that, and we have had a bit of about that, and we have had a bit of a mixed reaction, really, but what! got a sense of yesterday was the support for donald trump, obviously at the rally where there was 12,000 people here, but it is been an opportunity, the whole situation with the democrats, it is another line of attack, although trump had previously been fairly muted on the whole situation with the democrats,

yesterday, his speech contained some poignant moments where he was clearly ta ken poignant moments where he was clearly taken advantage of crisis in the party. today, donald trump has given a statement and said that kamala harris is as much of a joke asjoe biden, he said the on each other�*s record and if biden is not fit to stand as candidate but he's not fit to be president, something in art republicans have said today, and going back to that speech he made yesterday, he was mocking the chaos within the democratic party. he describes them as enemies of democracy, suggesting that it was hypocritical of them to describe him as a threat to marcus he when he said that there were 14 million people had chosenjoe biden as a candidate democratically through the primaries. and he did a straw poll, asking the crowd who they would

prefer to stand against him, whether it should be biden, whether he should stay or kamala harris, and the crowd wanted biden and so did he so it's a son there that he felt that biden would be the easier person to win against, but already, the republicans are preparing their strategies, they are already at kamala harris.— strategies, they are already at kamala harris. jenny kumah in michiuan kamala harris. jenny kumah in michigan speaking _ kamala harris. jenny kumah in michigan speaking to - kamala harris. jenny kumah in michigan speaking to us - kamala harris. jenny kumah in michigan speaking to us there. mr biden's allies in congress have praised his decision to step aside. former democratic speaker of the house nancy pelosi hailed president biden as �*one of the most consequential presidents in american history. calling him a patriot in a statement on x. and, senate majority leader chuck schumer echoed that sentiment, writing in a statement, �*his decision of course was not easy, but he once again put his country, his party, and ourfuture first�*. the reaction from congressional republicans, however, has struck a different tone.

current house speaker mikejohnson called for mr biden to step down as president, saying �*ifjoe biden is not fit to run for president, he is not fit to serve as president. he must resign the office immediately�*. senate minority leader mitch mcconnell heavily criticised democratic policies, writing, �*washington democrats have not proven themselves any more capable than the president of delivering the secure borders, safe streets, and stable prices that working families deserve�*. let�*s talk about this decision. joining me live lindsay m chervinsky, a presidential historian. put into context for us just how dramatic and historic this decision is from joe biden.— is from joe biden. thank you for havin: is from joe biden. thank you for having me- _ is from joe biden. thank you for having me. it's— is from joe biden. thank you for having me. it's an _ is from joe biden. thank you for having me. it's an extraordinaryj having me. it�*s an extraordinary moment and it takes a lot of ego to believe that you can be president,

and believe you are the right person to make the incredibly difficult choices that come with office, so thatis choices that come with office, so that is a requirement, and it is extremely rare for people to actually set that aside. we have only seen it happen a few times, truman and lyndonjohnson are the examples that come to mind, and those were much earlier in the year, so this is really an extraordinary moment regarding politics. there has been much from _ moment regarding politics. there has been much from the _ moment regarding politics. there has been much from the republican - moment regarding politics. there has been much from the republican partyj been much from the republican party for him to step down as president entirely, which would also be rather unprecedented. it entirely, which would also be rather unprecedented.— unprecedented. it would, it never ha--ened unprecedented. it would, it never happened before _ unprecedented. it would, it never happened before in _ unprecedented. it would, it never happened before in the _ unprecedented. it would, it never happened before in the middle i unprecedented. it would, it never happened before in the middle of| unprecedented. it would, it never. happened before in the middle of a term, and i should say it is extremely unlikely to happen, but it is never happened before we ate president has stepped out in the middle of term for things like illness or health, richard nixon did resign after the watergate scandal. what does it mean for the democratic party after moving forward with their convention just four weeks

away? their convention “ust four weeks awa ? , , ., , ., away? this is a test for the democratic _ away? this is a test for the democratic party _ away? this is a test for the democratic party to - away? this is a test for the - democratic party to demonstrate away? this is a test for the _ democratic party to demonstrate they learned lessons from history. 1968 was a contested election, very messy, lyndonjohnson announced in march he was stepping down, so there is all of this build—up to the convention in which they were trying to figure out the direction of the party going forward. i think that at that moment, the democratic party was more focused on their intraparty divisions because richard nixon was not yet the bogeyman that we have come to think of him with the benefit of hindsight a month so it was easy not to focus on their opponent. my guess is that democrats will attempt to try to learn from that going forward and will try to quickly coalesce in the next few weeks around each candidate to meet the convention a much more positive image to put forward for the american people, but that is definitely something i am looking for. riff definitely something i am looking for. , ., ., ., , for. of course, all of the delegates were pledged _

for. of course, all of the delegates were pledged for— for. of course, all of the delegates were pledged forjoe _ for. of course, all of the delegates were pledged forjoe biden - for. of course, all of the delegates i were pledged forjoe biden following the primary season within the democratic party, so what happens to them and their status? each democratic party, so what happens to them and their status?— them and their status? each state has different _ them and their status? each state has different rules _ them and their status? each state has different rules about - them and their status? each state has different rules about how - them and their status? each state has different rules about how the | has different rules about how the delicate skin make decisions so it comes down to each particular states. biden has released the delegates, so that takes some of the obstacles of the ways of the delegates and choosing who they are to select and who they are to vote for, but i would say i�*m not an expert on campaign law, so i don�*t what the exact maneuverings of what will happen in each individual states and how each delegation will have to make those choices. the other point _ have to make those choices. the other point of— have to make those choices. the other point of course about american elections in particular is how much money is involved and how much one reason is involved and hold on candidates been doing that, so although itjoe biden had not yet officially become the nominee, he was that for all intents and purposes, what happens to the money he raised was to mark is a great question and. it�*s he raised was to mark is a great question and-—

question and. it's a great question and i know — question and. it's a great question and i know sometimes _ question and. it's a great question and i know sometimes the - question and. it's a great question and i know sometimes the length l question and. it's a great question i and i know sometimes the length of our elections seems nuts the people around the world and for us too, one of the benefits for harris as the candidate is that her name was on the paperwork for the biden campion, so the funds in the biden— harris accounts can be accessed by her and that would help speed the process along. i also read that i think the biden — harris campaign raised $5 million in the first hour since the announcement, if i am reading that correctly, so my guess is that we will see a quick change in how money is flowing once there is a new candidate, and perhaps a new rush of enthusiasm because elective people who had expressed concern or discontent with the current state of the race. �* , ., ., ., the race. and when you mention how lona the the race. and when you mention how long the election _ the race. and when you mention how long the election cycle _ the race. and when you mention how long the election cycle is _ the race. and when you mention how long the election cycle is here - the race. and when you mention how long the election cycle is here in - long the election cycle is here in the us, weber is the democratic nominee for president or vice president are going to have a incredibly short time to run into pulling the. is the latest there�*s

ever been any democratic convention, or heard is that run through history? or heard is that run through histo ? �* , , or heard is that run through histo ? �*, , ., ., , history? it's it is not the latest there's been — history? it's it is not the latest there's been a _ history? it's it is not the latest there's been a democratic- history? it's it is not the latest - there's been a democratic convention there�*s been a democratic convention but it is certainly among the latest it is unclear who the candidate would be, 1960 it is an exception, which is one reason it was so messy, but is important to remember that it used to be that candidates were selected at the conventions, and campaigns were not always this long this is the relatively recent development. for example, in 1952, the republican party selected dwight eisenhower at the convention, and we think of eisenhower as being this insanely popular candidate and president, and he was, but she did not have a majority of the delegates going into the convention. he was unable to secure the nomination, and he won an overwhelming victory, but that demonstrates how much of our political practice has changed in the last 70 years. riff political practice has changed in the last 70 years.— political practice has changed in the last 70 years. of course, all of

this pressure _ the last 70 years. of course, all of this pressure on _ the last 70 years. of course, all of this pressure on joe _ the last 70 years. of course, all of this pressure on joe biden - the last 70 years. of course, all of| this pressure on joe biden mounted this pressure onjoe biden mounted or came to a crescendo after the debates which took place in atlanta outside of the official presidential commission on debates, presumably whoever the marketing nominee ultimately is we want to debate former president donald trump. do you see may be those commission dates will be reactivated now that had been set for september? i think there'd been — had been set for september? i think there'd been another— had been set for september? i think there'd been another debate - had been set for september? i try “ia; there'd been another debate agreed there�*d been another debate agreed upon between the biden campaign and the trunk campion for the fall. it will be interesting to see if that date is revitalised or if, as you said, the commission dates are revitalised. it would also be interesting to see depending on who the candidate is if former president trump wants to debate. he did not participate in debates in the republican primary process, and he has demonstrated and said he is not sure he wants to participate in future debates, so i think that is all up in the air and just a few more likely surprises coming on the

way in the next few months. never a dull moment — way in the next few months. never a dull moment it _ way in the next few months. never a dull moment it seems _ way in the next few months. never a dull moment it seems here - way in the next few months. never a dull moment it seems here in - way in the next few months. never a dull moment it seems here in us - dull moment it seems here in us politics these days, thank you lindsay for giving us the historical eye on that. thank you.— lindsay for giving us the historical eye on that. thank you. thank you for havin: eye on that. thank you. thank you for having me- _ vice presidential nominee for the republican partyjd vance said on x: "joe biden has been the worst president in my lifetime and kamala harris has been right there with him every step of the way. "over the last four years she co—signed biden�*s open border and green scam policies that drove up the cost of housing and groceries. "she owns all of these failures, and she lied for nearly four years about biden�*s mental capacity, saddling the nation with a president who can�*t do the job. "president trump and i are ready to save america, whoever�*s at the top of the democrat ticket. bring it on." that statement from jd vance, unveiled as the republican party vice presidential nominee injust a

few days ago at the public and national convention in milwaukee. for more, let�*s bring in rodney smith, former in rodney davis, former republican from illinois. apologies for that rodney. just the points they are being made by itjd vance and very firmly sorting in on kamala harris been the candidate for the marketing party, is that the person the republican party writ large would like to see? i person the republican party writ large would like to see?- large would like to see? i think she's a known _ large would like to see? i think she's a known quantity, - large would like to see? i think she's a known quantity, field i large would like to see? i thinkj she's a known quantity, field in large would like to see? i think. she's a known quantity, field in a she�*s a known quantity, field in a presidential campaign before without a vote being cast, and she has a on share of gas and lack of actual production when it comes to responsibility when it comes to breast resident. she was called the borders are when we saw a historic surge of migrants coming across the

border during the biden administration, just one of many failures linked directly to vice president harris. always better to her when someone with a record. she is at senate record that can be dove into and figure out where she might have made some mistakes in boats that can be used to garner influence of those who are undecided, but she is a known quantity, trump is a known quantity, and i think the american people have probably already made up their mind we delivered four, but we go back to the think we talked about in the convention, it�*s a small number of undecided voters, what they called double heater voters.— undecided voters, what they called double heater voters. perhaps those double heater voters. perhaps those double heater _ double heater voters. perhaps those double heater voters _ double heater voters. perhaps those double heater voters would - double heater voters. perhaps those double heater voters would not - double heater voters. perhaps those double heater voters would not be i double heater voters would not be double heater voters would not be double heater voters would not be double heater if it�*s notjoe biden and if it�*s kamala harris, do you think wallace is aside but the individual or it bit to mark? i don't know whether to people who don�*t know whether to people who

didn�*t likejoe biden, dangerous didn�*t like joe biden, dangerous didn�*t likejoe biden, dangerous didn�*t think was capable of doing thejob and some didn�*t think was capable of doing the job and some of the decisions his administration made while he was in office were politically divisive and on many issues. spending issues when it comes to addressing the green new deal, and spending countless trillions of american taxpayer dollars on things that many in america would object. it�*s not a personal thing where people don�*t like joe personal thing where people don�*t likejoe biden, they did not like his policies. we will see if it becomes more personal with vice president harris but she can be settled with the unpopular policies because she�*s part of the biden administration. i5 because she's part of the biden administration.— because she's part of the biden administration. is there someone within the democratic— administration. is there someone within the democratic party - administration. is there someone within the democratic party who i within the democratic party who republicans would not like to run against? i�*m republicans would not like to run aaainst? �* , ,, republicans would not like to run aaainst? �* , ., against? i'm sure you could go throu~h against? i'm sure you could go through a _ against? i'm sure you could go through a list _ against? i'm sure you could go through a list of— against? i'm sure you could go through a list of candidates - against? i'm sure you could go | through a list of candidates but remember, we are at the point where we are a little over four months, even less than that, it may be, i didn�*t do the maths so forgive me

bbc if i'm didn�*t do the maths so forgive me bbc if i�*m wrong on that, from the election day. who can come in and who can coalesce the support for democrats to remove this sitting vice president, who happens to be the first female and first african—american vice president in our nations history westmark i don�*t see democrats being able to go beyond their focus on gender and race like we have seen over the last two years to have somebody else come in and step over vice president harris because, frankly, the candidates i could name our white meals, and that is not going to fly in the democratic party to start throwing out names likejd pritzker and josh shapiro and others. it is “ust 3.5 and josh shapiro and others. it is just 3.5 month _ and josh shapiro and others. it is just 3.5 month ago, rodney, so strap yourself into your seat there, and stephanie murphy, just to you there, talking about the possible candidates, there are number of your congressional colleagues who i�*ve

already come out to endorse, as the president did, kamala harris in her bid to become the parties nominee, do you think there would be a coalescence around her? it remains to be seen — coalescence around her? it remains to be seen but _ coalescence around her? it remains to be seen but also _ coalescence around her? it remains to be seen but also important - coalescence around her? it remains to be seen but also important that. to be seen but also important that some _ to be seen but also important that some of— to be seen but also important that some of the top leadership has not expressed — some of the top leadership has not expressed a position other than it should _ expressed a position other than it should be — expressed a position other than it should be an open and democratic process, _ should be an open and democratic process, so— should be an open and democratic process, so while those members may e>

to, ithink— elected position, so they are going to, i think they will be very iudicious _ to, i think they will be very judicious about the path forward, whether— judicious about the path forward, whether that is about the nominee themselves or their vice president. this is— themselves or their vice president. this is a _ themselves or their vice president. this is a real— themselves or their vice president. this is a real opportunity to clean slate _ this is a real opportunity to clean slate for— this is a real opportunity to clean slate for the democratic party, to nominate — slate for the democratic party, to nominate the ticket that will be able to— nominate the ticket that will be able to take on trump and in a way that meets — able to take on trump and in a way that meets the needs of the democratic party as well as the american — democratic party as well as the american people. i think this is an exciting _ american people. i think this is an exciting moment. foralmost american people. i think this is an exciting moment. for almost an decade — exciting moment. for almost an decade now, the american people have been over— decade now, the american people have been over the nominees that have come _ been over the nominees that have come forward out of the two political _ come forward out of the two political parties. they did not want to clinton- — political parties. they did not want to clinton— trump, they did not want trump- _ to clinton— trump, they did not want trump- ben— to clinton— trump, they did not want trump- ben -- — to clinton— trump, they did not want trump— ben —— biden, they did not want— trump— ben —— biden, they did not want biden— trump— ben —— biden, they did not want biden - — trump— ben —— biden, they did not want biden — trump, i know the democratic— want biden — trump, i know the democratic party is being responsive to the _ democratic party is being responsive to the broader american people to put up _ to the broader american people to put up a _ to the broader american people to put up a name other than the ones the american people have not wanted over the _ the american people have not wanted

over the last decade and put forward fresh faces— over the last decade and put forward fresh faces and and also to do so whether— fresh faces and and also to do so whether that is in the presidential nominee — whether that is in the presidential nominee or vice presidential position _ nominee or vice presidential osition. , ., , , nominee or vice presidential osition. ., , position. sorry, rodney, “ust one moments. — position. sorry, rodney, “ust one moments. it position. sorry, rodney, “ust one moments, i want to _ position. sorry, rodney, just one moments, i want to show - position. sorry, rodney, just one moments, i want to show a - position. sorry, rodney, just one moments, i want to show a live i position. sorry, rodney, just one i moments, i want to show a live shot of the naval 0bservatory, where is the vice president of the united states lives and somebody hospital be hand drawn sign that says, not 2020 for just be hand drawn sign that says, not 2020 forjust on the clock outside the gates to her house. rodney, you are going to make a point westmark? i want to agree with stephanie on the people were going to meet the decision on the next candidate of the president under the market site is, it�*s those delegates, and frankly, i know right of the media is focused on looking at elected officials and getting their opinion on what should happen next, but frankly, i think the media is focused needs to be directly on those delegates. go find out who they are, find it within us into, so

that you can get a better sense of what the process is going to entail, because they will be the first want to know my especially in their individual states, and you will get an idea of who is kind of driving this train behind the scenes in the elected official arena as well. i would see necessarily there's no behind _ would see necessarily there's no behind is — would see necessarily there's no behind is sold smoke in the back room _ behind is sold smoke in the back room is — behind is sold smoke in the back room is not _ behind is sold smoke in the back room is not a thing, and what i would — room is not a thing, and what i would ask— room is not a thing, and what i would ask those delegates, is who have they— would ask those delegates, is who have they heard from among the potential— have they heard from among the potential candidates who have called them? _ potential candidates who have called them? there little over 2000 of them if i got _ them? there little over 2000 of them if i got my— them? there little over 2000 of them if i got my numbers right, so who has called — if i got my numbers right, so who has called them to see whether or not there — has called them to see whether or not there support for them? that would _ not there support for them? that would give — not there support for them? that would give an indication of who is actually— would give an indication of who is actually throwing their hat in the rin- actually throwing their hat in the ring for— actually throwing their hat in the ring for this contest will stop the other— ring for this contest will stop the other thing that i think is really interesting for folks to know, this is lower— interesting for folks to know, this is lower states that have been challenged the sitting president any

primary— challenged the sitting president any primary a _ challenged the sitting president any primary a year challenged the sitting president any primarya yearand challenged the sitting president any primary a year and a half ago. one year and _ primary a year and a half ago. one year and a — primary a year and a half ago. one year and a half ago, you would've spent _ year and a half ago, you would've spent money any primary running in states, _ spent money any primary running in states, and — spent money any primary running in states, and you could have been blamed — states, and you could have been blamed for causing the sitting president to spend money running against _ president to spend money running against you. there could have been all of— against you. there could have been all of this— against you. there could have been all of this recrimination that may have _ all of this recrimination that may have kept— all of this recrimination that may have kept some people on the sidelines, but know that it is down to an _ sidelines, but know that it is down to an open — sidelines, but know that it is down to an open convention, or some sort of convention _ to an open convention, or some sort of convention conversation, what that means is all you have to do is convince _ that means is all you have to do is convince these 2000 plus group of people _ convince these 2000 plus group of people and secure enough delegates through— people and secure enough delegates through that process. that is a family— through that process. that is a family conversation. it is an awkward _ family conversation. it is an awkward thanksgiving table, it is not necessarily this a big fight that a — not necessarily this a big fight that a lesser people try to steer away— that a lesser people try to steer away from it because they are afraid of damage _ away from it because they are afraid of damage and the ultimate candidate, which one year and a half a-o candidate, which one year and a half ago was _

candidate, which one year and a half ago was president biden, so it really— ago was president biden, so it really should enumerate some of our very deep— really should enumerate some of our very deep bench the throw their names— very deep bench the throw their names into the ring and call those democrats, those delegates, and see whether— democrats, those delegates, and see whether or— democrats, those delegates, and see whether or not there's a basis support— whether or not there's a basis support for them there was mark. i�*m support for them there was mark. i'm sure support for them there was mark. sure those support for them there was mark. i“n sure those phone calls are being taken place with a lot of energy around the country. stephanie on monday, stay with us as our panel here on this life breaking news programme. if you�*rejustjoining programme. if you�*re just joining us, programme. if you�*rejustjoining us, you�*re watching bbc news, and katrina perry, and we are continuing here with our major breaking news story in washington, dc. us presidentjoe biden has analyses and in his reelection bid, withdrawing his name from the 2024 presidential election race and endorsing vice president kamala harris for the democratic nomination. the biden campaign is already filed with the us federal election commission to change the name to harris for president. in a statement on next, joe biden said it is been the

greatest honour of his life