mr biden is expected to give a defence of democracy, discuss what he hopes to accomplish in the remaining six months of his term in office, and why he ultimately chose to back out of the race with a little more than 100 days until the us general election in november. in an excerpt of the speech released by the white house, the president will say, "i have decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. that is the best way to unite our nation." mr biden is the first sitting president to not seek a second term in office since lyndonjohnson stepped out of the race during the vietnam war in 1968. ms harris was back on the campaign trail on wednesday in indianapolis, addressing black women voters in a speech that barely mentioned her republican rival donald trump by name. mr trump spoke in north carolina in the last few hours in his first campaign rally since mr biden dropped out, and sharpened his attacks against the vice president. as the race to the white house

heats up, new polling from cnn shows that, while mr trump holds a three—point lead nationally over the vice president, 49—46% it is within the margin of error. it also shows ms harris performs better thanjoe biden among young voters, where she's up five percentage points, black voters, where she is up eight points, and women, where she's up four points on the president. also in washington on wednesday, israeli prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, delivered an address to lawmakers calling for unity between the us and israel. if you remember one thing, one thing _ if you remember one thing, one thing from — if you remember one thing, one thing from this _ if you remember one thing, one thing from this speech, - thing from this speech, remember— thing from this speech, rememberthis- thing from this speech, rememberthis — - thing from this speech, rememberthis — our. thing from this speech, - remember this — our enemies are your— remember this — our enemies are your enemies _ remember this — our enemies are your enemies our_ remember this — our enemies are yourenemies. ourfight- remember this — our enemies are your enemies. ourfight is- remember this — our enemies are your enemies. our fight is your. your enemies. our fight is your fight _ your enemies. our fight is your fight and _ your enemies. 0ur fight is your fight and our— your enemies. 0ur fight is your fight. and our victory— your enemies. 0ur fight is your fight. and our victory will- your enemies. our fight is your fight. and our victory will be i fight. and our victory will be your— fight. and our victory will be your victory _ fight. and our victory will be your victory-— mr netanyahu's visit was met with protests across washington, dc. thousands of demonstrators marched toward the captiol before police deployed pepper spray, blocking them from reaching the building. at least five protesters were arrested.

nearly 50 democratic members of congress boycotted mr netanyahu's address, including prominent members of the party. mr netanyahu delivered a forceful speech, dismissing the protesters as iran's useful idiots and speaking about his vision for "a new gaza" while denying that israel is targeting gaza civillians. he did not mention the status of israeli hostages being held in gaza or the future of the proposed ceasefire deal backed by the us. mr netanyahu is expected to meet with president biden on thursday, followed by a visit with vice president kamala harris. then he'll meet with former president donald trump in florida. for more, let's bring in our panel for the evening. stephanie murphy, former democratic congresswoman from florida — and rodney davis, former republican congressman from illinois. always great to have you both. always great to have you both. a lot has happened since the last time we sat together, which is at the republican national convention. we just talked about some of it, so i want to start with president biden set to deliver his address tonight, and a lot of

people will be watching this — stephanie, starting with you, this will be a critical moment for mr biden in his political career, and also his informing his legacy. he career, and also his informing his legacy-— his legacy. he made a really difficult decision, _ his legacy. he made a really difficult decision, as - his legacy. he made a really i difficult decision, as somebody who was going to be the presumptive nominee. but he put country over self and, looking at the polls that were in front of him, looking at the donor support, as well as the party support, as well as the party support fading away in the aftermath of that devastating debate, he understood that it was important to pass the torch to the next generation so democrats have an opportunity to really compete for the house, the senate, and for all the down ballot races as well as for the white house. so there's a lot of gratitude for him tonight and today, and we'll be listening to him

talking about taking the victory lap that is well—deserved for the successes he had in his administration. we met president biden needs to talk about his legacy and his career, what he's done. find talk about his legacy and his career, what he's done. and i think he will— career, what he's done. and i think he will do _ career, what he's done. and i think he will do that, - career, what he's done. and i think he will do that, there'sl think he will do that, there's a lot— think he will do that, there's a lot to _ think he will do that, there's a lot to be proud of in his 50 plus— a lot to be proud of in his 50 plus year— a lot to be proud of in his 50 plus year career as a us senator— plus year career as a us senator and vice president, and president _ senator and vice president, and president. a lot of people personally like joe biden, they feel for— personally like joe biden, they feel forjoe biden — personally like joe biden, they feelforjoe biden — but personally like joe biden, they feel forjoe biden — but in the end, _ feel forjoe biden — but in the end. i— feel forjoe biden — but in the end, i think the republican unity— end, i think the republican unity that we all saw in milwaukee at the convention forced — milwaukee at the convention forced the democrats to unify, and they've unified around vice president — and they've unified around vice president harris. if i was a democrat, i'd be very concerned about _ democrat, i'd be very concerned about the — democrat, i'd be very concerned about the polling numbers you 'ust about the polling numbers you just mentioned. kamala harris has to— just mentioned. kamala harris has to do— just mentioned. kamala harris has to do much better than the margin— has to do much better than the margin she's getting with african—american voters, young voters _ african—american voters, young voters and — african—american voters, young voters and women to be able to heat _ voters and women to be able to beat donald trump this november.— beat donald trump this november. ~ . ., ., november. we will come to harris in —

november. we will come to harris in a _ november. we will come to harris in a moment, - november. we will come to - harris in a moment, stephanie, do you think mr biden needs to be clear about his decision to drop out of the race and what led to that moment as well? i led to that moment as well? i think he'll talk about that decision, and also talk about what his administration was able to accomplish, and what he hopes for the future of the party in the country. and i think it's important for him to be public — there's been a lot of conspiracy theories that have been floating around about why he made the announcement on twitter. but you have to understand, he had covid, so he wasn't in a place to be able to project the way that he probably would've wanted to. and now that he's clear of covid, that's why he's having this event, to show people now that he has his health and strength back, to talk about his decision and what he hopes for the future of the party and the country, and to do so in a way that he isn't trying to

fight their illness. and we've all been in a place where we haven't felt well, and that's not a place to be in the limelight.— not a place to be in the limeliuht. ., ., �* , ., limelight. you don't seem to auree? limelight. you don't seem to agree? he — limelight. you don't seem to agree? he should've - limelight. you don't seem to agree? he should've been i limelight. you don't seem to l agree? he should've been out here before _ agree? he should've been out here before this. _ agree? he should've been out here before this. i'm - agree? he should've been out here before this. i'm glad - agree? he should've been outj here before this. i'm glad he's doing — here before this. i'm glad he's doing this _ here before this. i'm glad he's doing this but he has to prove to the — doing this but he has to prove to the american people this decision— to the american people this decision he made, and he needs to show— decision he made, and he needs to show the american people that— to show the american people that he — to show the american people that he will improve post debate _ that he will improve post debate and post debate interviews.— debate and post debate interviews. �*, ., interviews. let's take a look back at what _ interviews. let's take a look back at what happened, - interviews. let's take a look back at what happened, as i interviews. let's take a look l back at what happened, as we said, a tumultuous time. tonight's address caps off what has been a dramatic and unprecedented 27 days in us politics. but how did we get here? questions about age and health have plagued both donald trump and joe biden throughout the campaign. but concerns over mr biden�*s fitness hit a fevered pitch after his poor debate performance onjune 27. the 81—year—old appeared exhausted and at times struggled to complete his sentences. making sure that we continue to

strengthen our health care system, making sure we are able to make every single solitary person, eligible for what i've been able to do with — with the covid, excuse me, dealing with everything we had to do with... look... we finally beat medicare. the day after the debate, president biden hit the campaign trail to rally his voters. in north carolina, he told supporters, "i don't debate as well as i used to, but i know how to do this job." but it would not stop the questions that began to swirl both publicly and privately over whether the democratic party should replace him as their nominee. onjuly 2nd, texas congressman lloyd doggett became the first sitting democrat in congress to publicly call for the president to stand down. mr biden would hold a high—stakes white house meeting with democratic governors on july 3rd to reassure them that he was staying in the campaign. ignoring the call, three days later, he reiterated in his first television interview since the debate with abc news that he was

staying in the race. look, i mean, if the lord almighty came down and said, "joe, get out of the race," i'd get out of the race. but the lord almighty isn't coming down. despite mounting calls from other elected democrats to leave the race, president biden sent a defiant letter to congressional democrats vowing to continue his reelection bid on the 8th ofjuly. however, it was on the final day ofjoe biden�*s most important week on the world stage, at the nato summit, where he made series of verbal slips. and now, iwant and now, i want to handed over to the president of ukraine, who has as much courage as he has determination. ladies and gentlemen, president putin. i wouldn't have picked vice president trump to be vice president trump to be vice president if i didn't think she wasn't qualified to be president. so let's start there. on monday, july ia, following the attempted assassination of donald trump, mr biden spoke to the nation from the oval office, delivering a prime time address calling for unity. two days later, he gave a second television interview — this time with nbc news — onjuly 15, vowing again that

he would not leave the contest. if you look at all the polling data, the polling data shows a lot of different things, but there no wide gap between us. it is essentially a toss—up race. and i think one of the arguments that can be made, you have one of the most successful presidency in modern presidents since franklin roosevelt, we've been able to put together consensus, reunite nato and unite on foreign policy, why don't you decide to rest on those laurels? and the answer is, because the not finished. —— the job's not finished. onjuly 17, a covid diagnosis just minutes before a speech in las vegas would sideline his campaign, forcing mr biden to self—isolate at his home in delaware. that same day, more members of congress spoke out — including prominent member of the house, adam schiff, who urged biden to "pass the torch" and exit the race.

and 25 days after the presidential debate, in a stunning move, joe biden announced in a statement on social media he was dropping out of the race. for more on biden�*s address, let's go to the washington post's white house reporter, toluse olorunnipa. very good to have you back on bbc news. we've been talking here about what a critical moment this is forjoe biden in his long—running political career. can you tell us a bit about how he and his team have been preparing for tonight priscilla been preparing for tonight priscil - , ~' ., been preparing for tonight priscil , ,, ., ., priscilla well, they know that he's a lame _ priscilla well, they know that he's a lame duck— priscilla well, they know that he's a lame duck president i priscilla well, they know that - he's a lame duck president now, they know these moments will be few and far in between as the public focus shifts to kamala harris as vice president. so they really wanted to frame this message as not a farewell message, but a message saying, "i'm still the president for another six months, i have an agenda and things i want to get done, but i also want to deliver a message to the american people about democracy and the importance of standing up and the importance of standing up for democracy," and painting the portrait of a democracy not being about one person, him or

his title, but the american people, and that this is about the public and passing things onto the next generation, allowing the public take up its role in democracy. so i would be unsurprised ofjoe biden is depends a lot of time speaking to the american people, giving it the american people marching orders on how to defend democracy after he's gone, and beginning that long farewell he'll be having over the next several months as he prepares for the final movement of his presidency. for the final movement of his presidency-— for the final movement of his presidency. how important do ou think presidency. how important do you think this _ presidency. how important do you think this moment - presidency. how important do you think this moment is - presidency. how important do you think this moment is for l you think this moment is for joe biden�*s legacy? a lot of the years he served some feel it's an incredibly important moment because his legacy hangs in the balance. it could be very much defined by what happens at the end of november if donald trump wins, his legacy will be the person who his legacy will be the person wh . ., his legacy will be the person wh~ . ., , , who defeated donald trump, but also ave who defeated donald trump, but also pave the _ who defeated donald trump, but also pave the way _ who defeated donald trump, but also pave the way for _ who defeated donald trump, but also pave the way for donald - also pave the way for donald trump's return to the white house, a version of donald trump that's even more extreme in many ways and more likely to push the bounds of what people

have expressed as a fearful version of the american government then he was between the years of 2017—21. so if he's able to win the election, he's able to win the election, he will go down as someone who has a legacy of being selfless, a statesman, being willing to put his own interests under the interests of the country, and being willing to step down, and very much in the mode of george washington, who decided not to run for another term even though he could've won one. that so that legacy is hanging in the balance and he'll try to frame this moment as an inflection point, a moment where not only is it his legacy hang in the balance, but the version of the country people are considering also hang in the balance, the country could go to very different directions in november and he wants to lay the stakes and make it clear for the american people so they will pay attention to this race and decide to engage and vote in favour of the version of

america they want.- in favour of the version of america they want. there are questions _ america they want. there are questions being _ america they want. there are questions being asked - america they want. there are questions being asked about| questions being asked about whether president biden is fit to remain in office for the remainder of his term, through january — how is the white house addressing those concerns, those questions? first, they are betting down any idea that president biden decided to drop out of the race for health reasons. he did not say in his letter why he decided to stand down, hejust said he figured it was time to stand down. but the white house has been very clear it was not because of his health or he's unable to fulfil the response abilities of the office, but for other reasons and we will hear more about those reasons when biden speaks before the camera here in a few minutes. but it's very clear he has a job to do in reassuring the american people he has what it takes to be president for the next six months. he's already 81 years old, he slowed down in his physical activities, his ability to deliver a message has already declined. so people will be looking for reassurance that, even if he is unable to run a sprint, he can still do thejob of president, he

run a sprint, he can still do the job of president, he still has the mental and cognitive abilities to handle a very toughjob of being abilities to handle a very tough job of being the leader of the free world. so people will be watching to see whether or not he can stick the landing and deliver this presidential address in the mould of other previous presidents who have done this. if you fall short of that mark, he may get increasing calls from people saying that not only should he drop out of the race, but to hand over the reins of the president the to someone who is more capable. fine president the to someone who is more capable-— more capable. one of the excerpts _ more capable. one of the excerpts we _ more capable. one of the excerpts we received - more capable. one of the excerpts we received is l more capable. one of the i excerpts we received is that he'll say, "the history and power is in your hands, the idea of america is in your hands." how much do you think we will see the president try to encourage voters, people watching to coalesce around kamala harris as well? i don't exect kamala harris as well? i don't exoect him — kamala harris as well? i don't exoect him to _ kamala harris as well? i don't expect him to necessarily - kamala harris as well? i don't expect him to necessarily do i expect him to necessarily do rank politicking from the oval office, that's not really the setting, but i expect it all to be in the subtext of this speech. he'll be talking about the stark choice americans face, about the power american

voters have to determine the future of this country. he may not say they should vote against donald trump or for his vice president, or the oval office, but he'll make it very clear the country is at an inflection point and he has a choice about where he wants to go and why it's important to vote in favour of democracy, and not in favour of dictatorship. so we will be listening very closely for the subtext, the lines unspoken, the innuendo he's able to put forward even if it doesn't necessarily give a campaign speech, it'll be clear to the people watching that he wants people watching that he wants people to take this up as their own responsibility to make sure the country does not descend into dictatorship or a dwindling version of democracy, but stands up for the kind of democracy he has pushed for, that he's wanted to fight for in a second term that is now embodied by his vice president. so i expect him to put the voter and the american people voting, saying, "it's now in

your hands, i'm stepping off the scene," to make sure that we defend democracy. i’iiii the scene," to make sure that we defend democracy. i'll bring in our panel— we defend democracy. i'll bring in our panel as _ we defend democracy. i'll bring in our panel as well, _ we defend democracy. i'll bring in our panel as well, stephanie| in our panel as well, stephanie and rodney. you've been nodding, it is this in itself a passing of the torch from president biden? it passing of the torch from president biden?- passing of the torch from president biden? it is in part a passing — president biden? it is in part a passing of _ president biden? it is in part a passing of the _ president biden? it is in part a passing of the torch, - president biden? it is in part a passing of the torch, and l a passing of the torch, and in part— a passing of the torch, and in part a — a passing of the torch, and in part a victory lap on the term that— part a victory lap on the term that hes— part a victory lap on the term that he's had. he has repeatedly talked about, almost indignant about the things he feels — indignant about the things he feels he's accomplished that he feels _ feels he's accomplished that he feels he — feels he's accomplished that he feels he didn't get enough credit— feels he didn't get enough credit for. so i expect him to talk— credit for. so i expect him to talk about— credit for. so i expect him to talk about some of those things - and _ talk about some of those things — and honestly, they are quite historic — — and honestly, they are quite historic. historic investments in infrastructure and climate change. _ in infrastructure and climate change, into domestic manufacturing of key components that will— manufacturing of key components that will help fuel our ai revolution in the tech revolution in the tech revolution in the tech revolution in this country by bringing _

revolution in this country by bringing chips home. so he's done — bringing chips home. so he's done a — bringing chips home. so he's done a lot— bringing chips home. so he's done a lot of these things — they— done a lot of these things — they take _ done a lot of these things — they take time, all those bills take — they take time, all those bills take time to get out the door and reach _ take time to get out the door and reach people where they actually _ and reach people where they actually see their roots improved and bridges improved, and factories opened. but he knows — and factories opened. but he knows he _ and factories opened. but he knows he did that, so he'll want — knows he did that, so he'll want to— knows he did that, so he'll want to take credit for some of that, _ want to take credit for some of that, as — want to take credit for some of that, as well as laying out what's _ that, as well as laying out what's at stake for the future. rodney, — what's at stake for the future. rodney, how do you think those accomplishments that president biden is sure to tout in his address will stand up against the test of time?— address will stand up against the test of time? against the test of time, _ the test of time? against the test of time, he _ the test of time? against the test of time, he will - the test of time? against the test of time, he will have - the test of time? against the test of time, he will have a i test of time, he will have a legacy— test of time, he will have a legacy of— test of time, he will have a legacy of success - test of time, he will have a legacy of success — - test of time, he will have a. legacy of success — although test of time, he will have a i legacy of success — although i didn't— legacy of success — although i didn't vote _ legacy of success — although i didn't vote for— legacy of success — although i didn't vote for many - legacy of success — although i didn't vote for many of - legacy of success — although i didn't vote for many of those i didn't vote for many of those plans— didn't vote for many of those plans when— didn't vote for many of those plans when i— didn't vote for many of those plans when i was _ didn't vote for many of those plans when i was in- didn't vote for many of those plans when i was in office, i didn't vote for many of those | plans when i was in office, he was _ plans when i was in office, he was able _ plans when i was in office, he was able to— plans when i was in office, he was able to get _ plans when i was in office, he was able to get them - plans when i was in office, he was able to get them past, i plans when i was in office, he i was able to get them past, and he will— was able to get them past, and he will get _ was able to get them past, and he will get credit _ was able to get them past, and he will get credit when - was able to get them past, and he will get credit when historyl he will get credit when history judges — he will get credit when history judges hint _ he will get credit when history judges hint but— he will get credit when history judges him. but tonight - he will get credit when history judges him. but tonight is - he will get credit when history judges him. but tonight is alli judges him. but tonight is all about— judges him. but tonight is all about making _ judges him. but tonight is all about making sure _ judges him. but tonight is all about making sure you - judges him. but tonight is all. about making sure you explain to the — about making sure you explain to the american _ about making sure you explain to the american people - about making sure you explain to the american people why. about making sure you explain. to the american people why you should _ to the american people why you should remain _ to the american people why you should remain as _ to the american people why you should remain as president - to the american people why you should remain as president if. should remain as president if you decided _ should remain as president if you decided not— should remain as president if you decided not to _ should remain as president if you decided not to run - should remain as president if you decided not to run for. you decided not to run for president _ you decided not to run for president. and _

you decided not to run for president. and that - you decided not to run for president. and that will . you decided not to run fori president. and that will be you decided not to run for- president. and that will be the main _ president. and that will be the main factor— president. and that will be the main factor that— president. and that will be the main factor that president - main factor that president biden— main factor that president biden faces _ main factor that president biden faces tonight. - main factor that president biden faces tonight. you i main factor that president - biden faces tonight. you cannot afford _ biden faces tonight. you cannot afford any— biden faces tonight. you cannot afford any gaffes _ biden faces tonight. you cannot afford any gaffes on _ biden faces tonight. you cannot afford any gaffes on talking - afford any gaffes on talking about — afford any gaffes on talking about that _ afford any gaffes on talking about that legacy, - afford any gaffes on talking about that legacy, he - afford any gaffes on talking i about that legacy, he cannot afford — about that legacy, he cannot afford to _ about that legacy, he cannot afford to show— about that legacy, he cannot afford to show the _ about that legacy, he cannot afford to show the american| afford to show the american people — afford to show the american people the _ afford to show the american people the same _ afford to show the american people the same joe - afford to show the american people the same joe biden. afford to show the american i people the same joe biden he showed — people the same joe biden he showed them _ people the same joe biden he showed them on _ people the same joe biden he showed them on debate - people the same joe biden hei showed them on debate night. all of— showed them on debate night. all of you — showed them on debate night. all of you heard _ showed them on debate night. all of you heard about - showed them on debate night. all of you heard about that - all of you heard about that passing of the torch to kamala harris — are you surprised at how quickly democrats coalesced around her, since the time we last saw each other at the convention?— last saw each other at the convention? ~ , ,., , ., , convention? absolutely, i was kind of hoping _ convention? absolutely, i was kind of hoping for— convention? absolutely, i was kind of hoping for more - kind of hoping for more disarray _ kind of hoping for more disarray. but— kind of hoping for more disarray. but they - kind of hoping for more disarray. but they were j kind of hoping for more - disarray. but they were pretty disciplined _ disarray. but they were pretty disciplined. i'm— disarray. but they were pretty disciplined. i'm glad - disarray. but they were pretty disciplined. i'm glad you - disarray. but they were pretty disciplined. i'm glad you wentj disciplined. i'm glad you went through— disciplined. i'm glad you went through the _ disciplined. i'm glad you went through the timeline - disciplined. i'm glad you went through the timeline of - disciplined. i'm glad you wentl through the timeline of events with president— through the timeline of events with president biden, - through the timeline of events with president biden, becausej with president biden, because it clearly— with president biden, because it clearly showed... _ with president biden, because it clearly showed... i - with president biden, because it clearly showed... i don't - it clearly showed... i don't know— it clearly showed... i don't know nrany_ it clearly showed... i don't know many americans - it clearly showed... i don't| know many americans who believed _ know many americans who believed this _ know many americans who believed this was - know many americans who believed this was joe - know many americans who i believed this was joe biden's decision _ believed this was joe biden's decision he— believed this was joe biden's decision. he was— believed this was joe biden's decision. he was clearly- decision. he was clearly defiant— decision. he was clearly defiant until— decision. he was clearly defiant until he - decision. he was clearly defiant until he wasn't,| decision. he was clearly- defiant until he wasn't, and he was pushed _ defiant until he wasn't, and he was pushed out _ defiant until he wasn't, and he was pushed out by— defiant until he wasn't, and he was pushed out by democratsl defiant until he wasn't, and he - was pushed out by democrats who were in _ was pushed out by democrats who were in powerful— was pushed out by democrats who were in powerful positions, - was pushed out by democrats who were in powerful positions, and i were in powerful positions, and now here — were in powerful positions, and now here we _ were in powerful positions, and now here we are. _ were in powerful positions, and now here we are. we _ were in powerful positions, and now here we are. we are - were in powerful positions, andl now here we are. we are seeing his swansong _ now here we are. we are seeing his swansong speech, _ now here we are. we are seeing his swansong speech, and - now here we are. we are seeing his swansong speech, and if- now here we are. we are seeingj his swansong speech, and if you can convince _ his swansong speech, and if you can convince the _ his swansong speech, and if you can convince the american - can convince the american people _ can convince the american

people that _ can convince the american people that he _ can convince the american people that he should - can convince the american i people that he should remain can convince the american - people that he should remain as president — people that he should remain as president he _ people that he should remain as resident. , ., ., president. do you agree with that characterisation - president. do you agree with that characterisation that. president. do you agree with that characterisation that joe that characterisation thatjoe biden was pushed out? i that characterisation that joe biden was pushed out? i think rodney and — biden was pushed out? i think rodney and i _ biden was pushed out? i think rodney and i have _ biden was pushed out? i think rodney and i have both - biden was pushed out? i think rodney and i have both run i rodney and i have both run campaigns and we understand what — campaigns and we understand what we — campaigns and we understand what we need to have in place in order— what we need to have in place in order to _ what we need to have in place in orderto run what we need to have in place in order to run a successful campaign. you have to have ntoney— campaign. you have to have money and the machine, the mobilisation of the base, and you have _ mobilisation of the base, and you have to have a message that resonates — you have to have a message that resonates with the american people _ resonates with the american people. and on all three counts, _ people. and on all three counts, on that weekend evening when _ counts, on that weekend evening when he — counts, on that weekend evening when he was reflecting on that, he saw— when he was reflecting on that, he saw that his message was being — he saw that his message was being overcome by the issue of his age. — being overcome by the issue of his age, and he saw that his poiiing _ his age, and he saw that his polling had collapsed. he saw that his — polling had collapsed. he saw that his party was having to choose _ that his party was having to choose between him or their own races~ _ choose between him or their own races~ and — choose between him or their own races. and he saw that his donors— races. and he saw that his donors had held on the money. so as— donors had held on the money. so as people who have run campaigns before, when you're looking — campaigns before, when you're looking at— campaigns before, when you're looking at that set of data and those — looking at that set of data and those sets of facts, it's quite easy— those sets of facts, it's quite easy to — those sets of facts, it's quite easy to come to a decision that

there _ easy to come to a decision that there is— easy to come to a decision that there is no— easy to come to a decision that there is no path to victory — and — there is no path to victory — and when _ there is no path to victory — and when there is no path to victory, _ and when there is no path to victory, the decision to step aside — victory, the decision to step aside becomes quite clear. so i'd aside becomes quite clear. so i'd rather— aside becomes quite clear. so i'd rather not talk about some weird — i'd rather not talk about some weird controversy or conspiracy theory, — weird controversy or conspiracy theory, but actually go to the facts — theory, but actually go to the facts of— theory, but actually go to the facts of the matter as somebody who's— facts of the matter as somebody who's run— facts of the matter as somebody who's run a race before and understands the elements that are involved. he is surrounded by people _ are involved. he is surrounded by people who understand the elements that are necessary to run and — elements that are necessary to run and win, and what they saw toid _ run and win, and what they saw told them — run and win, and what they saw told them that they couldn't run and _ told them that they couldn't run and win.— told them that they couldn't run and win. ., , ., run and win. over to get you in on this as _ run and win. over to get you in on this as well, _ run and win. over to get you in on this as well, how— run and win. over to get you in on this as well, how much - run and win. over to get you in on this as well, how much do i on this as well, how much do you think that pressure did impact biden dropping out of the race? we know his advisers came to him with poles particularly in swing states. there was a lot of pressure and it took a lot of pressure because joe it took a lot of pressure becausejoe biden is a defiant man. he's an 81—year—old man who believes in his own self and he had defied the doubters in the past over and over again. so it took him a long

time before he got to the point of saying, "i should no longer be in this race," he said at one point, "if the lord almighty told me to drop out of the race, thus the only time i'll drop out." it took a lot of pressure from the party leaders, people like former house speaker nancy pelosi, senate leader chuck schumer, even president obama coming to his aid and not speaking out for his campaign when he was struggling, joe biden realised he lost the confidence of the top of his party, in addition top of his party, in addition to the donors and all the other people that make a campaign run. so it took a lot of pressure before he got to that point. now he's being celebrated for taking a selfless decision, but it took quite a lot before he got there, and now we will see how he reframes the last six months of his term because he wanted to be in office for another four years. so now he has to grapple with the fact that he'll be a one term president — which is actually rare in

american history, most recent presidents have done two terms — but he'll be a one term president voluntarily in some ways, but in some ways he was initially forced out because the data did not allow him to put together the campaign that would be winning, and he realised there would be more people coming out and speaking out about the data and the fact that they do not think he should be at the top of the ticket. so because of all those reasons, he was essentially confronted with the fact that he was not going to be able to win this race and had to make the decision to hand it over to someone else.— the decision to hand it over to someone else. during that time, there was this _ someone else. during that time, there was this incredible - there was this incredible crisis within the democratic party. it has all been patched up party. it has all been patched up now? because it seems there is this groundswell of support for kamala harris? the democrats _ for kamala harris? the democrats are - for kamala harris? the democrats are in - for kamala harris? the democrats are in a - for kamala harris? the i democrats are in a much for kamala harris? tie: democrats are in a much more unified place the end they were two weeks ago, one week ago, just four days ago. so they were two weeks ago, one week ago, just four days ago. so they're celebrating that — but they're celebrating that — but the campaign, even if it's only 106 days, will not be all roses

or unity, there'll be moments of disunity and discord, moments of hard times. so it to be seen how the kamala harris corporation and democrats at large respond when they get punched in the mouth, for lack of a better phrase, when they get hit with really tough ads and campaigning from trump, who's shown he's willing to hit below the belt. so it has been a unified moment, they've put behind them a lot of these forms of discord — but whether or not that lasts over the course of the next three months remains to be seen, that will determine whether harris can put together a winning organisation on the fly, on the run with only 105 days to go. democrats will have no choice but to be unified, because if they do not stand together, they do not stand together, they will clearly fall under they will clearly fall under the wrath of donald trump and his allies who are eyeing the presidency and getting closer and closer to the white house, and closer to the white house, and realising if they can just

peel off a few democrats, one constituency group here or there, they'll have a path the white house. so democrats are trying to unify and show they can be a party in unity between now and november. brute between now and november. we are 5-6 between now and november. we are 5—6 minutes away from the president's oval office aggress, but do you think this address can in any way help kamala harris? i address can in any way help kamala harris?— kamala harris? i think her campaign _ kamala harris? i think her campaign is _ kamala harris? i think her campaign is off— kamala harris? i think her campaign is off to - kamala harris? i think her campaign is off to the - kamala harris? i think her. campaign is off to the races. kamala harris? i think her- campaign is off to the races. i would — campaign is off to the races. i would point to the fact that when — would point to the fact that when he _ would point to the fact that when he stepped aside and tweeted that he supported her, she raised $100 million in about— she raised $100 million in about 24—36 hours. what's interesting about that money isn't — interesting about that money isn't the _ interesting about that money isn't the amount that was raised. _ isn't the amount that was raised, but the percentage of new— raised, but the percentage of new people who have never given before _ new people who have never given before who gave to her — 60% of that ntoney— before who gave to her — 60% of that money came from people who had never— that money came from people who had never donated before. you can't _ had never donated before. you can't trust _ had never donated before. you can't trust polling that comes

out so — can't trust polling that comes out so close to this decision, but what _ out so close to this decision, but what polling has shown is a bit of _ but what polling has shown is a bit of a — but what polling has shown is a bit of a consolidation of the democratic base, people who had been _ democratic base, people who had been on _ democratic base, people who had been on the sidelines when it was _ been on the sidelines when it was biden at the top of the ticket — was biden at the top of the ticket who are now consolidating. the other thing is, you're _ consolidating. the other thing is, you're seeing independence swing _ is, you're seeing independence swing to — is, you're seeing independence swing to her overwhelmingly over — swing to her overwhelmingly over trump — for almost a year and _ over trump — for almost a year and a _ over trump — for almost a year and a half. _ over trump — for almost a year and a half, the american people had said. — and a half, the american people had said, "we don't want this rematch, _ had said, "we don't want this rematch, we don't want either of these — rematch, we don't want either of these candidates," in the democratic party is the only party— democratic party is the only party offering these people a new option. so those are little seeds— new option. so those are little seeds of— new option. so those are little seeds of hope, but we'll have to see —106 days is long time because _ to see —106 days is long time because we walk through 26 days, — because we walk through 26 days, and we saw so much happened in that time. so a lot remains — happened in that time. so a lot remains to— happened in that time. so a lot remains to be seen, but there are some _ remains to be seen, but there are some signs of optimism. it's are some signs of optimism. it's a — are some signs of optimism. it's a lot— are some signs of optimism. it's a lot of time but also a little time to catch up for the harris campaign. how do you see them going forward in their ability to be successful? thea;t ability to be successful? they have to explain _ ability to be successful? they have to explain to _ ability to be successful? they have to explain to the - ability to be successful? they have to explain to the american people — have to explain to the american people why— have to explain to the american people why the _ have to explain to the american

people why the biden _ have to explain to the american people why the biden harris - people why the biden harris record — people why the biden harris record deserves _ people why the biden harris record deserves a _ people why the biden harrisi record deserves a reelection. she owns— record deserves a reelection. she owns the _ record deserves a reelection. she owns the biden - record deserves a reelection. she owns the biden record, i record deserves a reelection. . she owns the biden record, she owns _ she owns the biden record, she owns its — she owns the biden record, she owns its successes, _ she owns the biden record, she owns its successes, but - she owns the biden record, she owns its successes, but also - owns its successes, but also the failures, _ owns its successes, but also the failures, she _ owns its successes, but also the failures, she was - owns its successes, but also i the failures, she was appointed border— the failures, she was appointed border tsar— the failures, she was appointed border tsar by— the failures, she was appointed border tsar by the _ the failures, she was appointed border tsar by the president - border tsar by the president and failed _ border tsar by the president and failed miserably, - border tsar by the president and failed miserably, and i border tsar by the president. and failed miserably, and every american — and failed miserably, and every american has _ and failed miserably, and every american has seen _ and failed miserably, and every american has seen that. - and failed miserably, and every american has seen that. so - and failed miserably, and everyj american has seen that. so she will have — american has seen that. so she will have to _ american has seen that. so she will have to be _ american has seen that. so she will have to be able _ american has seen that. so she will have to be able to - will have to be able to differentiate - will have to be able to differentiate herself i will have to be able to i differentiate herself and will have to be able to - differentiate herself and be able — differentiate herself and be able to— differentiate herself and be able to get— differentiate herself and be able to get those _ differentiate herself and be able to get those voters, . differentiate herself and be - able to get those voters, those independents _ able to get those voters, those independents and _ able to get those voters, those independents and in _ able to get those voters, those independents and in the - able to get those voters, those i independents and in the margins to come — independents and in the margins to come back— independents and in the margins to come back to _ independents and in the margins to come back to her. _ independents and in the margins to come back to her. however, i to come back to her. however, i'll to come back to her. however, ill go— to come back to her. however, ill go back— to come back to her. however, ill go back to— to come back to her. however, i'll go back to the _ to come back to her. however, i'll go back to the statistics - i'll go back to the statistics you — i'll go back to the statistics you mentioned _ i'll go back to the statistics you mentioned earlier- i'll go back to the statistics you mentioned earlier — i i'll go back to the statistics i you mentioned earlier — the margin— you mentioned earlier — the margin she _ you mentioned earlier — the margin she has _ you mentioned earlier — the margin she has right- you mentioned earlier — the margin she has right now. you mentioned earlier — the i margin she has right now with young — margin she has right now with young americans, _ margin she has right now with young americans, females . margin she has right now withl young americans, females and african—americans _ young americans, females and african—americans are - young americans, females and african—americans are not - african—americans are not enough _ african—americans are not enough to— african—americans are not enough to beat _ african—americans are not enough to beat donald - african—americans are not. enough to beat donald trump african—americans are not - enough to beat donald trump or republicans _ enough to beat donald trump or republicans. she _ enough to beat donald trump or republicans. she has _ enough to beat donald trump or republicans. she has to - enough to beat donald trump or republicans. she has to do - enough to beat donald trump or| republicans. she has to do much better _ republicans. she has to do much better. late — republicans. she has to do much better. ~ ., republicans. she has to do much better. ~ . , ., better. we are 'ust waiting now, a better. we are 'ust waiting now. a few — better. we are just waiting now, a few minutes - better. we are just waiting now, a few minutes until i better. we are just waiting i now, a few minutes until the president's address, but how much do you think we will see president biden's team try to help kamala harris in these coming days and weeks? because this will be an all out operation for the democrats. i think, harris will have a lot

of support from the white house, from the biden team. she's already tapped biden's campaign manager and top leadership to be her top leadership to be her top leadership for her campaign. so the merging of the two campaigns have gone smoothly so far. now harris has her own people and advisers, so how they emerge in and whether she brings outside folks in as well to right the ship and make things a little more impactful going forward remains to be seen. but so far, it seems all the funding, the staff, the people that were part of the biden operation are now part of the harris operation — so she has that support, that packing, and it is very clear that she has a lot of support from people who lovejoe biden because they saw her during her vice presidency be loyal to the president, even after his really rough debate night, she was one of the first to go on tv and defend him, and offer a fulsome level of support, saying even though he struggled at the debate, he is someone

who has been doing thejob and can do thejob, and who has been doing thejob and can do the job, and advocated for him as a first—hand witness. so have that support from people who are close to biden who like him — now they'll be dedicating their lives over the next 106 days to her campaign and get her elected. iiii her campaign and get her elected. , , .. , elected. if the republicans continue — elected. if the republicans continue to _ elected. if the republicans continue to respond - elected. if the republicans continue to respond to - elected. if the republicans continue to respond to her| elected. if the republicans i continue to respond to her in the way— continue to respond to her in the way they have, which is to call her— the way they have, which is to call her a _ the way they have, which is to call her a di candidate, to come _ call her a di candidate, to come at _ call her a di candidate, to come at her from a race perspective, it will help her shore — perspective, it will help her shore up _ perspective, it will help her shore up those segments of the voting _ shore up those segments of the voting population, because what it does— voting population, because what it does is— voting population, because what it does is underscores for who are women or people of colour that— are women or people of colour that the — are women or people of colour that the republican who looks at anyone who achieves anything who happen to be women and women — who happen to be women and women of colour, that just because _ women of colour, that just because of their race or gender -- dei — because of their race or gender —— dei candidate. it's exit guite _ —— dei candidate. it's exit quite insulting, so that helps drive — quite insulting, so that helps

drive people into her camp — moreover, _ drive people into her camp — moreover, the republican party's _ moreover, the republican party's position on women's reproductive rights, as the message continues to get out, i think— message continues to get out, i think she — message continues to get out, i think she has a lot of opportunity to shore up a lot of these _ opportunity to shore up a lot of these groups and base voters~ _ of these groups and base voters. and we will start to see — voters. and we will start to see that _ voters. and we will start to see that move — i think it would _ see that move — i think it would be _ see that move — i think it would be wise, as the house gop leadership— would be wise, as the house gop leadership advised their members, to not be racist in the way— members, to not be racist in the way that they talk about her — the way that they talk about her it's— the way that they talk about her. it's too bad they had to council— her. it's too bad they had to council them in that way, but it's probably good advice. but if they— president biden used the same language — president biden used the same language about _ president biden used the same language about kamala - president biden used the same language about kamala harrisi president biden used the same. language about kamala harris in the past — language about kamala harris in the past in _ language about kamala harris in the past in the _ language about kamala harris in the past. in the end, _ language about kamala harris in the past. in the end, this - language about kamala harris in the past. in the end, this is - the past. in the end, this is going — the past. in the end, this is going to _ the past. in the end, this is going to be _ the past. in the end, this is going to be a _ the past. in the end, this is going to be a race - the past. in the end, this is going to be a race about. the past. in the end, this is i going to be a race about what the future _ going to be a race about what the future of _ going to be a race about what the future of the _ going to be a race about what the future of the country - going to be a race about what the future of the country is i the future of the country is going — the future of the country is going to _ the future of the country is going to look _ the future of the country is going to look like - the future of the country is going to look like and - the future of the country is going to look like and i - the future of the country is i going to look like and i would io going to look like and i would go back— going to look like and i would go back to _ going to look like and i would go back to lyndon _ going to look like and i would go back to lyndon johnson i going to look like and i would

go back to lyndonjohnson in| go back to lyndonjohnson in 1968. — go back to lyndonjohnson in 1968. he _ go back to lyndonjohnson in 1968, he left— go back to lyndonjohnson in 1968, he left the _ go back to lyndonjohnson in 1968, he left the race, - go back to lyndonjohnson in 1968, he left the race, the l 1968, he left the race, the democrats _ 1968, he left the race, the democrats unified - 1968, he left the race, the democrats unified and - 1968, he left the race, the - democrats unified and richard nixon — democrats unified and richard nixon won~ _ democrats unified and richard nixon won. right _ democrats unified and richard nixon won. right now- democrats unified and richard nixon won. right now we're . nixon won. right now we're looking _ nixon won. right now we're looking at— nixon won. right now we're looking at polling _ nixon won. right now we're looking at polling and - nixon won. right now we're looking at polling and if - nixon won. right now we're looking at polling and if it . nixon won. right now we're looking at polling and if it is a race — looking at polling and if it is a race between— looking at polling and if it is a race between donald - looking at polling and if it is i a race between donald trump looking at polling and if it is - a race between donald trump and vice—president _ a race between donald trump and vice—president kamala _ a race between donald trump and vice—president kamala harris, - vice—president kamala harris, the poles— vice—president kamala harris, the poles show— vice—president kamala harris, the poles show she _ vice—president kamala harris, the poles show she is - vice—president kamala harris, the poles show she is not - vice—president kamala harris, i the poles show she is not going to win — the poles show she is not going to win she _ the poles show she is not going to win. she has _ the poles show she is not going to win. she has to _ the poles show she is not going to win. she has to explain - the poles show she is not going to win. she has to explain to i to win. she has to explain to the american _ to win. she has to explain to the american people - to win. she has to explain to the american people why - to win. she has to explain to| the american people why she to win. she has to explain to i the american people why she is ready— the american people why she is ready to — the american people why she is ready to be _ the american people why she is ready to be president _ the american people why she is ready to be president and - ready to be president and frankly— ready to be president and frankly she _ ready to be president and frankly she tried - ready to be president and frankly she tried to - ready to be president and frankly she tried to do - ready to be president and i frankly she tried to do that ready to be president and - frankly she tried to do that in 2000 — frankly she tried to do that in 2000 nineteenths_ frankly she tried to do that in 2000 nineteenths and - frankly she tried to do that in 2000 nineteenths and 2020| frankly she tried to do that in i 2000 nineteenths and 2020 and she failed — 2000 nineteenths and 2020 and she failed miserably. _ 2000 nineteenths and 2020 and she failed miserably. if- 2000 nineteenths and 2020 and she failed miserably.— she failed miserably. if you look at her _ she failed miserably. if you look at her most _ she failed miserably. if you look at her most recent - she failed miserably. if you i look at her most recent rally she laid _ look at her most recent rally she laid out but this race is about, _ she laid out but this race is about, freedom, opportunity and the rule — about, freedom, opportunity and the rule of— about, freedom, opportunity and the rule of law. we about, freedom, opportunity and the rule of law.— the rule of law. we are a few seconds _ the rule of law. we are a few seconds away _ the rule of law. we are a few seconds away from _ the rule of law. we are a few seconds away from the - seconds away from the president's address, his first remarks since exiting from the 2024 race. he will be delivering his address from the oval office and he will talk about the defence of democracy, about the defence of democracy, about the defence of democracy, about the need to unite around the democrats for the election and the power being in the hands of the people, the idea

of america lies in your hands and