President Biden has announced his decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race, marking a significant moment in American politics. This decision makes him the first president since 1968 to not seek re-election. Biden made the announcement on Sunday afternoon, with 183 days remaining in his current term and just 29 days before the Democratic National Convention on August 19, 2024.
This decision places Biden in a rare group of presidents who have chosen to serve only one term. In U.S. history, only three presidents have made and kept their promises to serve only one term: Rutherford B. Hayes, James Buchanan, and James K. Polk.
President Hayes announced in advance that he would serve only one term and retired to his home in Fremont, Ohio, in 1981. President Buchanan, facing a nation deeply divided over slavery, also promised to serve only one term. President Polk, who served from 1845 to 1849, was succeeded by Zachary Taylor, a Whig Party member and hero of the Mexican War, who Polk reportedly despised.
The decision not to seek a second term comes as Biden faces increasing pressure from within his own party and from the American public. His approval ratings have been consistently low, and many Democrats have expressed concern about his age and ability to effectively lead the country. The 2024 election is expected to be a close race, with former President Donald Trump already announcing his candidacy and several other Republicans vying for the nomination.
With Biden’s decision to drop out, the Democratic field for 2024 is now wide open. It remains to be seen who will emerge as the party’s nominee and whether they will be able to defeat Trump in the general election.
