-- this this could become located? —— this could be complicated? it could be. you will get those republicans who will challenge that and say, ok, make that point that american people have been disenfranchised, that americans have now had their vote taken away from them. it's a powerful argument to make, and many americans will feel like that, but you're also getting members of the republican who are relishing this opportunity to go after whoever replaces joe relishing this opportunity to go after whoever replacesjoe biden. donald trump after whoever replacesjoe biden. donald trumer after whoever replacesjoe biden. donald trump jr tweeted after whoever replacesjoe biden. donald trumer tweeted a moment ago, already, the attacks are starting on kamala harris, painting her as this radical leftist, and so you will get the difference of opinion within the party over what should happen next. i spoke earlier to you at the republican national convention in milwaukee earlier this week, which i was covering for the bbc. i didn't find one republican that wanted joe biden to stand down. there was an inference that they

believed that this is the man that donald trump will beat. they felt confident donald trump will beat him. some might feel, we are not sure if that will be the case with a new candidate. kamala harris' approval ratings have not been brilliant and there has been concern by members of the party that she may not be electable, but there is also an argument she hasn't had the opportunity to show what she is capable of, but for the republicans, this is uncertainty, and up until when this news was announced, they were pretty certain they were going to be beating joe biden in november. thank you, nomia iqbal. let's bring you another post from elizabeth warren, the democrats set to their —— an aquatic senator from massachusetts, she said joe biden

has been transformational, accomplish more to bring back drugs, stand up to corporations and help the economy, he deserves credit for beating donald trump in 2020 and his selfless vision today gives us our best shot at doing it again in 202a. while donald trump tried to tear down our democracy to maintain his grip on power, joe biden within the stepped aside to protect our democracy. president biden�*s surface action is a profound gift to the people of united states and it is not all of us not to waste it. she goes on to say i endorse kamala harris for president, she is a proven fighter who is been a national leader in safeguarding consumers and protecting access to abortion. as a former prosecutor, she can press a forceful case against a loan donald trump to regain the white house. we have many talented people in our party, but vice president harris was chosen by the voters to succeed joe biden if needed. she can unite our party,

take on donald trump, and win in november. that is supposed on social media by senator elizabeth warren. of messages this. let's speak to lindy li — she's a fundraiser, democratic delegate, and someone who describes president biden as a friend. thank you forjoining us. how difficult would it have been for president biden to meet this decision to stand down after so many years of giving service to america? thank you for having me. i know this is extruded —— excruciatingly difficult. i've spoken with people close to them and i spoke with him for days ago will resume emma and this morning i went on fox news and gently suggested to the president that he should consider stepping aside and endorse his vice president. i am shocked, and still a bit shaken an hour after my interview that this happened. for me, this is getting very close to

home. i have been one of his most stalwart supporters. i have been with him since day one. i was with him when no one else was with them to stop i was with him in the dog daysin to stop i was with him in the dog days in new hampshire when people said he was done. so, yes, it's extremely difficult, but i am excited it opens a new chapter for the democratic nominee, and as one of the top donors of the party, i am in touch with a lot of my peers, and they are excited to get back in the game. they have been on the sidelines for the last few weeks, obviously, because of the debate. how worried were some of the people you are speaking to? notjust politicians but donors, the people in america, anyone who wants to become president relies on to get them across the line. in become president relies on to get them across the line.— them across the line. in the past few weeks. _ them across the line. in the past few weeks, lots _ them across the line. in the past few weeks, lots of _ them across the line. in the past few weeks, lots of them - them across the line. in the past - few weeks, lots of them were experts in concern and today's scenario is exactly what they wanted. so the reaction i am getting today is

almost uniformity relief and joy and excitement. but also, a subdued sense of respect for the man was done so much. i think many of us would agree that he is the most successful event of our lifetime to stop he has accomplished on much. his legislative record is phenomenal. supporting him was the owner of my lifetime. to phenomenal. supporting him was the owner of my lifetime.— owner of my lifetime. to what extent do ou owner of my lifetime. to what extent do you think — owner of my lifetime. to what extent do you think you _ owner of my lifetime. to what extent do you think you should _ owner of my lifetime. to what extent do you think you should have - owner of my lifetime. to what extent do you think you should have gone i do you think you should have gone sooner? it do you think you should have gone sooner? , ., ., ., , ., ., ~ sooner? it is hard, how do you walk away from — sooner? it is hard, how do you walk away from the _ sooner? it is hard, how do you walk away from the years _ sooner? it is hard, how do you walk away from the years of _ sooner? it is hard, how do you walk away from the years of public - away from the years of public service or the white house? honestly, i cannot even imagine. doing so takes indecipherable, luminous amount of selflessness which she obviously summoned. he is walking away from the most powerful office on the face of the earth, so obviously needed some time. it's been less than a month, i know it feels like a lifetime, but the debate was onjune 27, and i know we

have had many drastic events since then, but, and i know he was quick to wait until after wednesday because he did not want to give to netanyahu the satisfaction, but the dam was breaking and i think you understood that.— understood that. given that he admitted that _ understood that. given that he admitted that his _ understood that. given that he admitted that his best - understood that. given that he i admitted that his best decision understood that. given that he - admitted that his best decision but only yesterday, only on saturday, he was saying he was going to continue, what do you think has happened overnight? who would have had his air who could have told him, been that critical friend, to say it is now the time? this that critical friend, to say it is now the time?— that critical friend, to say it is nowthe time? ~ , ., , that critical friend, to say it is nowthe time? a ., , ., now the time? as someone inside a cam aiun, now the time? as someone inside a campaign. i — now the time? as someone inside a campaign. i am _ now the time? as someone inside a campaign. i am not _ now the time? as someone inside a campaign, i am not on _ now the time? as someone inside a campaign, i am not on the - now the time? as someone inside a campaign, i am not on the payroll, | campaign, i am not on the payroll, but these are my friends, these are the people i work with every day, limited study. there is no way they would've told you we working on a job or not letter wild moving on. there was no way. it was all or nothing. they would tell you up to

the very moment that she was staying until he drops, that is the way it is. so i think he was staying for a while, so the campaign find out that i was going to go on fact —— fox this morning to endorse, and they called me and insisted to me that she was not with the drop and that was a few hours ago. so i am learning now that they just would not have given you a heads up. it would not be conducive to them. it’s would not be conducive to them. it's said no, no, no until it suggests. we seats a lot of situations. so what does the party need to do now and fast? as we saw at the republican convention, you had people lining up, former rivals seen that donald trump is the man for the job and they're behind them, and he sounded very unified, that is not necessarily how the democrats sound at the moment. i necessarily how the democrats sound at the moment-— at the moment. i think a little --eole at the moment. i think a little people will — at the moment. i think a little people will try _ at the moment. i think a little people will try to _ at the moment. i think a little people will try to unify - at the moment. i think a little - people will try to unify immediately behind kamala harris, and we see

that happening already with the slew of endorsements coming from the biggest names in a party, and we are moving us us as we can, and the convention is on august 19 through the 22nd, so i think this might inject a much—needed sense of livelihood into the contest that we needed. this is trump's worst nightmare. he did not want this. donald trump must be quick and in his boots. he wanted biden to stay in the race and it is late people like speaker mikejohnson, i don't know if you saw, he threatened to sue with legal action to keep bidens replacement from being undeveloped. they wanted to run against biden, which should have been another indication to those reluctant that unfortunately, president biden is no longer the strongest candidate. he deserves our utmost respect and admiration for his five decades of service, and his immense selflessness today. what you did today was extraordinary. i5

selflessness today. what you did today was extraordinary.- selflessness today. what you did today was extraordinary. is that how he is able to — today was extraordinary. is that how he is able to let _ today was extraordinary. is that how he is able to let go? _ today was extraordinary. is that how he is able to let go? the _ today was extraordinary. is that how he is able to let go? the fact - today was extraordinary. is that how he is able to let go? the fact that i he is able to let go? the fact that there is a recognition, certainly from among his supporters, of what they believe he has done for the united states?— they believe he has done for the united states? , . ~ ., united states? yes, and i think that is la all united states? yes, and i think that is lazy all the _ united states? yes, and i think that is lazy all the senators _ united states? yes, and i think that is lazy all the senators and - united states? yes, and i think that| is lazy all the senators and members of congress are careful to coach their urging of him to drop out of their urging of him to drop out of the race, but also lot of admiration and enumeration and all of his achievements, to remind them there is no shame asjimmy raskin said, there's no shame in taking your break when your arm is tired out. there is no shame. he is 81. it is ok tojust go there is no shame. he is 81. it is ok to just go to the beach, spend 0k to just go to the beach, spend time in delaware, there is no shame in that. if anyone has earned it, it isjoe biden. but i am very excited. i am on on the presidents national finance committee and that one is now eligible transferred to the vice

president, it used to be 240 million, so it is been spent and were now down to 96 million cash in hand, and financing has been a bit tepid this month for obvious reasons but i expect that to change. linda; but i expect that to change. lindy li, fundraiser _ but i expect that to change. lindy li, fundraiser and _ but i expect that to change. lindy li, fundraiser and democratic - li, fundraiser and democratic delegate, thank you. tributes are coming in from people around the world seen that president biden has done the right thing, but also looking at his legacy. the uk prime minister, sir keir starmer, says he respects is an inviting decision and look forward to working together during the remainder of his presidency. i know that as he has done throughout his remarkable care, president biden would have made his decision based on what he believes is in the best interest of the american people. his predecessor, the former prime minister of britain, rishi sunak, has tweeted"

working with thejoe biden, i saw first—hand his love for america and dedication to service. our partnership had led to increased achievements, steadfast support for israel, and joint efforts in defending our people from who the best". and then finally for no, the premise of a pole paid trip tojoe biden, saying that he made democracy stronger. joining me now stephanie murphy is a former democratic congresswoman from florida and rodney davis a former republican congressman from illinois thank you forjoining us here on bbc news. stephanie, first to you, what is your reaction at this point in the presidential campaign forjoe biden to have made this decision and pull out? i biden to have made this decision and ull out? ~ ., ., pull out? i think he made an incredibly — pull out? i think he made an incredibly selfish _ pull out? i think he made an incredibly selfish and - pull out? i think he made an l incredibly selfish and patriotic decision. after that different devastating debate, the numbers of

the american people, three quarters of american people, but that he did not have the ability to run to be president forfour not have the ability to run to be president for four more years, and he recognised that, that that had consumed the campaign. even though that democrats had a great record to run on, they were unable to get that message across because the focus was so much on his age and mental acuity, and so he made a very brave and selfless decision. he patriotic decision to put party and the american people before his own interests, and so i think this opens up interests, and so i think this opens up an opportunity for the democratic party to showcase a very deep and talented young bench that we have, and so while it may feel a bit chaotic, you could not have written a script like this even in hollywood, while it may seem a bit of a scramble at this point, i think it is a tremendous opportunity for

the democratic party to answer where the democratic party to answer where the people are. and they have been telling us for years that they did not want to see the matchup between trump— biden, and of the democratic party is the party answering the people as the ciders.— party is the party answering the people as the ciders. rodney davis, what is the — people as the ciders. rodney davis, what is the reaction _ people as the ciders. rodney davis, what is the reaction amongst - people as the ciders. rodney davis, what is the reaction amongst fellowj what is the reaction amongst fellow republicans to joe what is the reaction amongst fellow republicans tojoe biden his decision because you have heard from correspondence, at the convention, nobody was saying they wanted joe biden to drop out because they thought trump could be tim? i think ullin: thought trump could be tim? i think pulling would — thought trump could be tim? i think pulling would show— thought trump could be tim? i think pulling would show president - thought trump could be tim? i think pulling would show president trump was likely— pulling would show president trump was likely to be joe biden or, the hardest _ was likely to be joe biden or, the hardest or— was likely to be joe biden or, the hardest or any democrat, especially after a _ hardest or any democrat, especially after a convention that showed a unified _ after a convention that showed a unified republican party. the world has witnessed president biden's declined — has witnessed president biden's declined well before the debate that was mentioned, which was a disaster for president biden and his team, but there — for president biden and his team, but there is no one that believes that this — but there is no one that believes that this wasjoe but there is no one that believes that this was joe biden's this is decision— that this was joe biden's this is decision alone. he was pushed out by

the power— decision alone. he was pushed out by the power brokers and the party leaders — the power brokers and the party leaders and a backroom deal of the democratic party. he's on democrats that he _ democratic party. he's on democrats that he has— democratic party. he's on democrats that he has served over 50 years in the senate, — that he has served over 50 years in the senate, his vice president and president. — the senate, his vice president and president, they were the ones that decided _ president, they were the ones that decided to— president, they were the ones that decided to push them aside to try to win. decided to push them aside to try to win that— decided to push them aside to try to win that is— decided to push them aside to try to win. that is disgusting. now, the question— win. that is disgusting. now, the question also has to be asked month to questions, doesjoe biden, with his cognitive decline, actually know he's not _ his cognitive decline, actually know he's not running, and numbertwo, if he's not running, and numbertwo, if he is— he's not running, and numbertwo, if he is hot— he's not running, and numbertwo, if he is not capable of being a candidate for president of the united — candidate for president of the united states, isn't easy a constitutional crisis and national security— constitutional crisis and national security threat to have unelected bureaucrats making white house decisions? imagine ifa republican were doing this, there would be special— were doing this, there would be special prosecutors and investigators, and the entire judicial— investigators, and the entire judicial system would come after them _ judicial system would come after them we — judicial system would come after them. we have to have answers. america — them. we have to have answers. america deserves answers and so does

the world, _ america deserves answers and so does the world, frankly. mr america deserves answers and so does the world, frankly.— the world, frankly. mr davis, that's an extraordinary _ the world, frankly. mr davis, that's an extraordinary claim _ the world, frankly. mr davis, that's an extraordinary claim that - the world, frankly. mr davis, that's an extraordinary claim that we - the world, frankly. mr davis, that's| an extraordinary claim that we must put to stephanie murphy, is it possible that as mr davis just said, thatjoe biden does not even know thatjoe biden does not even know that you stepping down? we don't know the details yet, do we? we don't know how he came to this this decision and we are not expected to hear from decision and we are not expected to hearfrom him until later in the week. hear from him until later in the week. �* , , ., hear from him until later in the week. �* , ., ., ., week. i'm sure you have from and later in the _ week. i'm sure you have from and later in the week, _ week. i'm sure you have from and later in the week, but _ week. i'm sure you have from and later in the week, but that's - week. i'm sure you have from and later in the week, but that's a - later in the week, but that's a bit political and partisan to say that... he has had the ability to do interviews and so on through the campaign and was thus not the best messenger, and what the party was looking at was and next four years and not the last four, but obviously and not the last four, but obviously a bit unfair and and not the last four, but obviously a bit unfairand partisan in and not the last four, but obviously a bit unfair and partisan in this moment as one expects it should be, butjoe biden, wrote the letter, signed it and stepped aside because he made a careful and catholic to decision. nobody who sits in power does that lightly, and we owe him a

thanks for understanding what we need moving forward in this election. i would take any given day, a candidate like donald trump, who pours at 47% with 100% name recognition, again someone who is pulling just about within the margin of error and a much lower name recognition, which means the meat there is nothing but upside potential for this new candidate to introduce themselves to the american people who have been bigness for somebody other than trump— biden. stephanie murphy and rodney davis, stay with us on bbc news for a minute. i was a plus for a second and look at the statement from president 0bama's office, he says what michaeljoe biden has in one of america's consequential presidents and a dearfriend and partner to me. today, we have been reminded again

that he is a patriot of the highest order. it's a long statement severity. " 16 years ago when i got my search for vice president, i knew joseph maracana —— remarkable career in public service but what came to mind even more was his character his deep empathy and hard earned resilience, his fundamental decency and belief that everyone counts. today president biden has display that character again, nor did the cost of drugs, made the biggest investment to address climate change investment to address climate change in history, and fought to ensure the rights of working people to organise their wages and benefits will stop internationally, he restored america's standing in the world. it goes on further down to say that president biden pointed us away from cason division and to that had characterised donald trump decision. humans us who we are at our best, a

country dedicate to the values like trust and honesty kindness and hard work. further in the statement he talks about this being an outstanding track record that gave president biden every right to run for reelection and start the job he finished. he says, what michael i knowjoe has never backed down from a fight, for him to look at the political landscape and excited parts has passed the torch to a new nominee would have been a tough decision but she wouldn't have made the decision on if you believed it was right farmer car. he goes on to say, we'll be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead and i have confidence the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an understanding nominee emerges. i expect every single one of us are prepared to carry a message of hope and progress progress —— forward into november and beyond. he finishes by saying" michelle and i want to express our love and gratitude tojoe and jill for leaving the next leaving us so ably during this perilous times. "

we arejoined by ably during this perilous times. " we are joined by rodney davis, who is a former republican congressman for illinois and also a former democrat commerce —— congresswoman stephanie murphy. rodney davis, let me put this to you. the democrats are talking about needed to create a process by which they find a replacement how problematic —— how problematic is that for the republicans question mark i don't know how you create a process when a process already exists. the democratic _ process already exists. the democratic party _ process already exists. the democratic party party has established rules on ballots access, and here _ established rules on ballots access, and here in— established rules on ballots access, and here in the united states unlike other— and here in the united states unlike other countries with elementary systems. — other countries with elementary systems, our elections are run at the state — systems, our elections are run at the state level. i left axis is determined state by state and local jurisdictions. this is a much bigger. _ jurisdictions. this is a much bigger, this is going to be a much bigger— bigger, this is going to be a much bigger deal —— bigger deal when we drill down _ bigger deal —— bigger deal when we drill down into what it is actually good _ drill down into what it is actually good to — drill down into what it is actually good to take to replace joe biden's name _ good to take to replace joe biden's name on _ good to take to replace joe biden's name on the ballot. i'm sure they will work— name on the ballot. i'm sure they will work through that, but it is

not going — will work through that, but it is not going to be without some twists and turns _ not going to be without some twists and turns. and make no mistake, this was not _ and turns. and make no mistake, this was not the _ and turns. and make no mistake, this was not the passing of the torch, this was— was not the passing of the torch, this was the torch being ripped out of the _ this was the torch being ripped out of the hands of president biden at the same — of the hands of president biden at the same time, when you have people like barack— the same time, when you have people like barack 0bama, his friend, so-called _ like barack 0bama, his friend, so—called friend, and mentor as a former— so—called friend, and mentor as a former president, at the same time he was _ former president, at the same time he was shoving a knife in his back because _ he was shoving a knife in his back because he — he was shoving a knife in his back because he was a major part of this historic— because he was a major part of this historic backroom lythgoe deal. stephanie murphy, how do you imagine it will play out, then question mark we already know thatjoe biden and others have endorsed kamala harris to be his placement. she is going to need a running mate as well stop how and when do you think the democrats will know who those people are? i will know who those people are? i will remain rodney was she knows very well, which is that the parties have the ability to change the rules

by the vote of their delegates, much like his party change the rules of who could be a part of the platform party before the announced a platform ostracised a significant part of the republican party so that they could have a different repair but if a report is but form in the recent convention, so none of that is guided by the constitution, is guided by the delegates and their votes to stop so that is one thing, is that the delegates are allowed to vote and determine how each party makes determinations regarding its platform and candidate. secondly, our legal scholars have basically weighed in on the and whoever comes out of the democratic primary will have ballot access. that is the way it is supposed to work, and so, surely, i understand the republicans want to run againstjoe biden, so they would throw up whatever areas they would throw up whatever areas they need to to ensure that not a

younger and a candidate who is meeting the needs of the american people will emerge, but what i would see aboutjoe biden's decision is that it exam provides what the democrats do compared to the republicans. donald trump is about recrimination, about himself, about the past and getting revenge, and the past and getting revenge, and the democratic party is about looking to the future and putting the country over self. and that is what we are looking for in our democratic nominees. rodney davis, how concerned _ democratic nominees. rodney davis, how concerned with _ democratic nominees. rodney davis, how concerned with the _ democratic nominees. rodney davis, how concerned with the trumpet - democratic nominees. rodney davis, how concerned with the trumpet can | how concerned with the trumpet can be noted that they may have to face kamala harris question mark she is something new but she's also continuity from what we had? number one, we continuity from what we had? number one. we don't — continuity from what we had? number one, we don't know _ continuity from what we had? number one, we don't know if _ continuity from what we had? number one, we don't know if the _ continuity from what we had? number one, we don't know if the democrats i one, we don't know if the democrats will select— one, we don't know if the democrats will select kamala harris. there is a process— will select kamala harris. there is a process in— will select kamala harris. there is a process in place and that process will be _ a process in place and that process will be followed. if we assume that kamala _ will be followed. if we assume that kamala harris, vice president harris is going _ kamala harris, vice president harris is going to _ kamala harris, vice president harris is going to be the candidate, many republicans are giddy. if i was on the trump — republicans are giddy. if i was on the trump campaign, i would be a bit

disappointed that graph the change made _ disappointed that graph the change made direction when you are expecting to face an incumbent president, but this is an incumbent vice president, and let us not forget — vice president, and let us not forget that vice president harris was a _ forget that vice president harris was a candidate for president of the united _ was a candidate for president of the united states in 2020, however after one disastrous debate performance, where _ one disastrous debate performance, where my— one disastrous debate performance, where my good friend kelsey gebhard eviscerated vice president harris, she dropped out the stop she did not even make _ she dropped out the stop she did not even make it to the first votes that were _ even make it to the first votes that were cast — even make it to the first votes that were cast in — even make it to the first votes that were cast in the iowa caucuses, so she is— were cast in the iowa caucuses, so she is already has a track record of being _ she is already has a track record of being a _ she is already has a track record of being a disastrous candidate, and i think— being a disastrous candidate, and i think that — being a disastrous candidate, and i think that excites inlets of republicans when it comes to moving onto the _ republicans when it comes to moving onto the next two months. i republicans when it comes to moving onto the next two months.— onto the next two months. i would note that four _ onto the next two months. i would note that four years _ onto the next two months. i would note that four years ago, - onto the next two months. i would| note that four years ago, candidate harris's is differentjust like four years ago jd harris's is differentjust like four years agojd vance was a different person, for his ago he was calling president trump hitler and disparaging the president. he's the vice presidential candidate ——

candidate, so i think four years is a long time in political timeline. former democratic congresswoman from florida, stephanie murphy, and rodney davis, former republican congressman from illinois, thank you both for your time. let's speak to michael starr hopkins who's attorney and democratic strategist thank you forjoining us here on bbc news, michael. what is your reaction to what is on stolte —— unfolded, having been told yesterday that president biden was committed to continue in this race and white and forward to sunday afternoon and he is dropping out. forward to sunday afternoon and he is dropping out-— is dropping out. today is an entirely new _ is dropping out. today is an entirely new race. - is dropping out. today is an entirely new race. vice - is dropping out. today is an - entirely new race. vice president harris is someone who not only has a strong record but has the ability to prosecute the case against donald trump in a way that president biden just could not. he's got the strong

record of 50 millionjobs just could not. he's got the strong record of 50 million jobs versus a former president who want to rollback protections for abortion, for reproductive health, once or rollback the civil rights acts, turn the country back to 1950, so the juxtaposition of president trump versus a young and energetic candidate like vice president harris, it's something democrats are excited about. we harris, it's something democrats are excited about-— harris, it's something democrats are excited about. we were looking a few months a . o excited about. we were looking a few months ago at _ excited about. we were looking a few months ago at the _ excited about. we were looking a few months ago at the statement - excited about. we were looking a few months ago at the statement from i excited about. we were looking a fewl months ago at the statement from the office of barack and michelle 0bama, paying tribute to just how muchjoe biden has achieved during his time as president and also, his time in politics. he talks about the need for the party to come together and to make sure that they don't see donald trump back in the white house to stop what is interesting is that he does not mention kamala harris even though there have been others, including joe biden, who have said they endorsed her as his replacement. what should we read

into that? ~ , ,., , replacement. what should we read into that? ~ , , ., into that? absolutely nothing, when joe biden released _ into that? absolutely nothing, when joe biden released a _ into that? absolutely nothing, when joe biden released a statement - joe biden released a statement saying he was getting out, he waited until eight seconds week to endorsed kamala harris, and i think the same would be true for many democrats. we have seen a major portion of the party, including the congressional that causes the hispanic backlog —— black caucus, armour presidents come out and endorse vice president harris. you want to ensure you give president biden his blowers and recognise and acknowledge what an amazing term he had, and it the same time, you want to give room for vice president harris to begin her campaign, it's the delicate balance but i have no doubt democrats are united and prepared to focus on one thing, defeating donald trump. hagar thing, defeating donald trump. how comfortable are _ thing, defeating donald trump. how comfortable are you that this race began with joe comfortable are you that this race began withjoe biden, he has had the vote of more than 40 million people in the primaries, and yet she is stepping out and stepping down as he marked it to someone else who picks of the benefits of the boats who was

not even on the ticket? jae of the benefits of the boats who was not even on the ticket?— not even on the ticket? joe biden understand _ not even on the ticket? joe biden understand there _ not even on the ticket? joe biden understand there was _ not even on the ticket? joe biden understand there was not - not even on the ticket? joe biden understand there was not a - not even on the ticket? joe biden understand there was not a path | understand there was not a path forward to him, and when you combine that with some of the age factors, i think it is the most patriotic thing that someone could do. joe biden has been seeking the presidency his entire life, and to decide that in the battle for democracy, human not be the best person to lead our country forward, that is really a selfless act, so him doing that, all democrats that i am speaking to and hear from are just excited about the passing of the church, but are really appreciative of whatjoe biden has done. really appreciative of what joe biden has done.— really appreciative of what joe biden has done. what about who kamala harris _ biden has done. what about who kamala harris should _ biden has done. what about who kamala harris should run - biden has done. what about who kamala harris should run with i biden has done. what about who kamala harris should run with if| biden has done. what about who i kamala harris should run with if she is given the nomination? what sort of parent would you think would be best to take on donald trump to take on donald trump, who appears as the republican nominee, is leading the party that is very united behind it down? i party that is very united behind it down? ~ , ., , ., party that is very united behind it

down? ~ i. , ., a down? i think you will see a ticket that is representative _ down? i think you will see a ticket that is representative of _ down? i think you will see a ticket that is representative of the - down? i think you will see a ticket i that is representative of the 0bama- that is representative of the 0bama— biden ticket, on the top of the ticket is harris was young and energetic and charismatic month and i think you'll need a whiteness of dataset out, someone like roy cooper, andy beshear, josh shapiro, mark kelly down in arizona. we have a strong bench, and that is what makes this decision even more laudable by the president. allowing the party to move forward and position itself to defeat donald trump, he is notjust putting his needs forward but the american public forward.— needs forward but the american public forward. surely, 'ust briefly if ou public forward. surely, 'ust briefly ifyou would. * public forward. surely, 'ust briefly if you would, you _ public forward. surely, 'ust briefly if you would, you are _ public forward. surely, just briefly if you would, you are playing - public forward. surely, just briefly| if you would, you are playing catch up if you would, you are playing catch up now? you've already seen the reaction from the republican party, particularly after donald trump survived that assassination attempt in a week ago question mark i reject the narrative that we are playing catch up. the narrative that we are playing catch u -. , , ., the narrative that we are playing catch u. , , ., ., the narrative that we are playing catchu. , , ., ., catch up. this is now a new race with a new _ catch up. this is now a new race with a new candidate, _ catch up. this is now a new race with a new candidate, and - catch up. this is now a new race with a new candidate, and what| catch up. this is now a new race - with a new candidate, and what you saw in the differences in the post where that people had questions aboutjoe biden south. you get a

state like wisconsin, to ductwork, he democrats was i of her republican challenger while president biden was behind president trump and by changing the top of the ticket, you change the narrative and the strategy, and you really make this an argument between young versus old. 0r an argument between young versus old. or the p and president trump and his 1950s view, and vice president harris who is young and charismatic and wants to move the country forward.— charismatic and wants to move the country forward. microstar hopkins, attorney and — country forward. microstar hopkins, attorney and we _ country forward. microstar hopkins, attorney and we appreciate - country forward. microstar hopkins, attorney and we appreciate you - attorney and we appreciate you talking to us on bbc news on our coverage of this decision byjoe biden to and his election campaign continues now. lester and my colleague regina perry in washington. hello. i am hello. iam katrina perry, and hello. i am katrina perry, and you are very welcome to bbc news from

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.