One of the biggest political earthquakes ever struck Sunday as President Joe Biden has placed the interests of the country and the Democratic Party over his own ambition to serve and has dropped out of the race for president. He has endorsed Vice President Harris for the job.
We’re collecting statements from OC political leaders and will be updating this post as we get new information:
From the DLCC:
RELEASE: DLCC Statement on President Joe Biden Withdrawing From Presidential Race
WASHINGTON — Today, in response to President Joe Biden announcing he will withdraw from the 2024 presidential ace, Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams issued the following statement:
“President Joe Biden deserves our deep gratitude for his lifetime of public service and leadership. For the past four years, we have made progress together to reverse Trump’s dangerous policies and worked tirelessly to defend our fundamental freedoms and democracy. Now, the growing threat of a second Trump term means Democrats at all levels of the ballot must unite against the MAGA agenda and the catastrophic impacts it has on the everyday lives of Americans.”
“As we thank President Biden for all he has done, we must recommit to the vital work of building strong campaigns in states across the country and winning this election by supporting Democrats up and down the ticket.”
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) is the official Democratic Party committee dedicated to winning America’s state legislatures and building state infrastructure. Over the last decade, we have fought cycle-over-cycle to gain a dozen new legislative chamber majorities and we are leading the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level. State legislatures are the building blocks of our democracy and have the closest connections to Americans’ day-to-day lives. From protecting fundamental freedoms and voting rights to growing the middle class, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country.
From the OC GOP, this set of lies:
Statement on Joe Biden dropping out of the presidential race
Orange County, CA – The Republican Party of Orange County released the following statement on Joe Biden’s announcement dropping out of the presidential race:
“Today, President Biden announced, 453 days after he launched his reelection campaign, that he is dropping out of the presidential race – denying his delegates and voters their say.
On June 27th at the Presidential debate, the American people saw with their own eyes what the Democrat Party has been trying to hide for the past four years: Joe Biden doesn’t have the capacity to be commander-in-chief.
Milwaukee showed us Republicans are united. Democrats will be in chaos for the next four weeks until their convention begins in Chicago – with no nominee. Their kingmakers will decide the candidate, not the voters. The irony is thick coming from the party constantly warning about threats to democracy.
Joe Biden has endorsed Kamala Harris. The truth is there is no daylight between Biden and Harris. As Vice President, she is just as responsible for the failed administration and the policies that have crushed Americans as Joe is. Even worse, she lied to the American people every day that he was capable of serving as President.
As Californians we know the damage Kamala Harris has done to our state and our nation: out-of-control inflation, rampant crime and a border crisis. She has failed up her entire career and has no place failing up to the highest office in the land. Every American will pay the consequences of a President Harris.
While Democrats try to scrape together a campaign and path forward over the next 100 days, Republicans will continue forward with our message and mission to fix America.”
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Editor’s Note: Harris has been part of Biden’s ticket from Day 1; voters voted for the team. Inflation is a global issue and under Joe Biden, America hasn’t been hit as bad as other industrialized nations; crime rates are down significantly; and Biden Administration has actually arrested more undocumented immigrants crossing the border than Trump did. Donald Trump is running to be a dictator and JD Vance says he would have not done what Mike Pence did to certify the vote. And lastly, not that anyone needs reminding, Trump is a convicted felon, an adjudicated rapist, and a business fraudster who cannot legally operate a hot dog cart in New York State for the next three years.
From Congressman Lou Correa (CA-46):
“Joe Biden has accomplished more as president than most presidents in recent memory. Thank you President Biden; I remain a Biden fan and will always support him. I was with him always.”
From former Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez:
“President Biden has served our country with grace and distinction for close to half a century. His decision today continues this selfless commitment to democracy and the America we all love.
This is a time for all of us to pull together, and I look forward to supporting a strong Democratic ticket in the fall.”
Statement from DNC Chair Jaime Harrison
“The American people owe President Biden an enormous debt of gratitude for the unparalleled progress he has delivered over the last four years – and we will honor that legacy, and the decision that he has made today, through a firm commitment to nominating and electing a Democratic president this November who will carry that torch into the next four years.
“The work that we must do now, while unprecedented, is clear. In the coming days, the Party will undertake a transparent and orderly process to move forward as a united Democratic Party with a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November. This process will be governed by established rules and procedures of the Party. Our delegates are prepared to take seriously their responsibility in swiftly delivering a candidate to the American people.
“Democrats are prepared and united in our resolve to win in November. As we move forward to formally select our Party’s nominee, our values as Democrats remain the same – lowering costs, restoring freedom, protecting the rights of all people, and saving our democracy from the threat of dictatorship. We have and will continue to make this case to the American people.
“In short order, the American people will hear from the Democratic Party on next steps and the path forward for the nomination process.”
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From Congressman Mike Levin (CA-49)
President Biden’s decision is incredibly patriotic and the right thing to do. He put country first. I want to thank President Biden for his decades of public service to our country and his historic presidency. He has led our country with unwavering courage, conviction and strength. Our nation, and the entire free world, is better off because of his leadership.
Now, we must come together to prevail against the incalculable threat Donald Trump poses to the American institutions of freedom and democracy. Trump seeks to overthrow the values and principles that have guided us towards justice and prosperity for nearly two and a half centuries. We cannot let him do that.
I’m proud to follow President Biden’s lead in endorsing Kamala Harris to be our Democratic Presidential nominee. Vice President Harris is the right person to lead our nation forward and defeat Donald Trump and his extremist policies.
It is time to move forward with Kamala Harris as our new leader. Together.
From Vice President Kamala Harris:
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From OCYD:
We thank President Biden for putting the wellbeing of our Nation before his own interests and making the courageous decision to withdraw,” OCYD Chair Adam Tallabas said. “We now must come together behind the Democratic nominee to stop Project 2025 and its champion: Donald Trump. ‘The dangers of a second Trump presidency cannot be understated. Donald J. Trump is a threat to American democracy. It is imperative that Democrats – especially Young Democrats – get out the vote for the nominee & the Democratic slate through canvassing, phonebanking and relational organizing. The United States holds a long-standing tradition of fighting & defeating fascism. We’ve done it before – let’s do it again. Orange County Young Democrats is committed to doing its part to defeating fascism by out-organizing Project 2025 & Donald J. Trump at the polls.”
Statement on President Biden’s Decision to Withdraw as Candidate from State Senator Catherine Blakesear (SD37)
SACRAMENTO – Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, issued the following statement on Sunday after President Biden declared he would withdraw his candidacy for president and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for the nomination:
“I applaud President Biden for his decades of contributions to the United States of America and his incredibly productive and positive four years as President. He is a good man, and his strong moral character is what leads him to put the country’s interest first in declining the Democratic Party’s nomination.
I’m elated by the prospect of Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for President. She is the pride of California, with a multi-decade record of leadership, culminating in the last four years as Vice President. She will have the confidence of the American people and can ably lead this great country as our first female President.”
Elected in 2022, Sen. Blakespear represents Senate District 38, which covers northern San Diego County and part of Orange County. To learn more about the district and Sen. Blakespear, visit her Senate website.
From Katie Porter CA-48
“President Biden’s service has bettered the lives of millions of Americans, delivering long overdue action on drug prices, climate, infrastructure, and more.
With his announcement that he will pass the torch to our party’s next nominee, I am offering my wholehearted endorsement of Kamala Harris to be the next President of the United States. Vice President Harris gave me my start in public service, appointing me to fight illegal foreclosures in California. I know her values. She will stand up for families and justice.”
From DPOC’s Ada Briceno:
Joe Biden has announced he is stepping aside from seeking re-election as president and he is endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for the nomination.
We can’t thank Joe enough for rescuing our country from Trump’s corruption enabled by the Republican Party. His actions show selflessness, sacrifice, and patriotism of the highest order.
Now, says President Biden, it’s time to come together and beat Trump/Vance. This is the most extremist, anti-democracy ticket possible – and Orange County Democrats will be key to defeating it.
An Updated Statement from Adan Briceno:
The next few months leading up to the election aren’t going to be easy – we have a big fight ahead of us.
This week, Donald Trump chose his running mate: J.D. Vance. This is a man who has never led a government agency of any size and began serving in the Senate last year. He loudly proclaimed his dislike and disapproval of Donald Trump calling him “America’s Hitler,” and himself a “never Trump guy.”
Vance cynically set all that aside and joined the ticket of a known liar, convicted felon, and insurrectionist and he’s doing it for the sake of his own personal ambition. Vance was picked because he will bend over backward to enable Trump and advance himself – even if it means breaking the law and harming our Democracy.
Thursday night, the American people saw the same Donald Trump they rejected four years ago. He outlined no plan to bring our country together even though he spoke for over an hour. “Americans know that Trump inflicted pain and cruelty on the women of America by overturning Roe v. Wade,” said President Biden. “They know that he destroyed our economy once and will inflict pain on the middle class, that he wants to gut Constitutional checks and balances, and rule as a dictator on day one.”
Trump cowardly dodged mentioning Project 2025, an extremist plan to destroy American Democracy, but proudly flaunted the worst of MAGA extremism including a “roundup of millions” into mass detention camps.
Orange County Democrats have a great opportunity to save our republic. Key Congressional races are taking place right here and these elections may determine control of the House of Representatives. We must double down on text banking, mailers, and canvassing. We must knock on more doors than we ever have.
From Congressman Adam Schiff:
President Joe Biden will leave office with a legacy unlike any other modern president.
He took the reins in the throes of an unprecedented pandemic and spearheaded our economic recovery – saving the lives of millions.
He worked diligently to pass the most effective, progressive legislation in the last half century – all while rebuilding our alliances abroad and our standing around the globe.
He has accomplished more in one term than most presidents do in two and he will go down in history as one of the greatest presidents of our time.
Joe Biden has always put the country first, and he did so again today, after more than 50 years of tremendous service.
Now, it’s time for all of us to unite behind Vice President Harris. I am excited to endorse her campaign for President. She has the judgment, the experience, the leadership, and the tenacity to take on and defeat Donald Trump.
I worked with her when she was our Attorney General, Senator, and Vice President, and I can’t wait to work with her as President.
There is no better matchup than this superb former prosecutor against this convicted criminal, and she’ll prosecute the case against Trump every single day.
I think Greg is off his men’s or needs a reformulation. His dellusional posts are increasingly more self focused and bizarre. At least Vern can blame it on the Vodka.
I guess you are OK associating with those sicko’s Eric. What would your wife say?
Do you even know who your are associating with?
My understanding is you vacation in Laughlin, not Australia. Better than Vern’s honeymoon in in Stanton.
I see Vern’s criticizing me for being late on stories; I was out of town last week and have a major trade show next week and just this morning noticed his comments. He seems to forget I have other responsibilities
Vern surprisingly published one of my comments before Diamond took it down. As Andrew Do might sing: “Thin skinned pricks”. I suppose the truth is hard to accept.
5-4-3-2-1 And Larry Gilbert is gone!!!
I spoke with Alex M once to ask he send me announcements in Word rather than a PDF. If that’s considered rude, he’ll never make it as a candidate. Not sure where Vern picked that up