Georgia Democrats react as Biden says he is passing the torch in Oval Office address

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President Joe Biden said it is time to pass the torch to a younger generation July 24, 2024, in his first speech since announcing his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race.

Credit: PBS screenshot

After days of speculation about his motives for dropping out, President Joe Biden said in a solemn Oval Office address on Wednesday that it is time for him to pass the torch to a younger generation of leaders. He also said that democracy lies in the hands of the voters. Biden again endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, as he did after his social media withdrawal announcement earlier this week.

Reaction from Democrats was generally supportive. State Sen. Jason Esteves was active in Biden’s reelection campaign and now supports Harris. He said that Biden’s speech is symbolic of a desire for younger leaders.

“There is a desire for more acts like what President Joe Biden did in passing a torch," he said. "More acts like that should happen across the country, whether it's in the state legislature, on school boards and city councils or at the congressional and federal level.”

Another prominent Democrat, Dekalb County CEO Michael Thurmond, said that Biden's address echoes a familiar experience for many Americans. 

"All of us have had relatives, parents, aunts and uncles — and sometimes you say, 'Look, you have to give up a key. You can't drive anymore.'" Thurmond said. "And so this is one of those family moments that played it out on the biggest, brightest, harshest stage and on the face of the planet." 

Former President Donald Trump slammed Biden’s address, and said that Biden and Harris were "a great embarrassment to America."

Harris is expected to make her first Georgia campaign stop as a presidential candidate on Tuesday, July 30.