Withdrawing from the presidential race, what Americans think about Biden's sudden decision

Hours after President Joe Biden announced that he has decided to withdraw from the election race and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for the party's nomination, Washington residents gathered in front of the White House to express support for the President. The Voice of America spoke to some of them as well as some citizens in New York about their reactions to this historic decision.

Supporters of the President of the United States gathered outside the White House to commemorate Mr. Biden's 50-year career after he announced his withdrawal from the race for re-election.

"President Biden was the best leader we've had for environmental protection. He made it possible for us to stop environmental change, and I will always be grateful for that," says Mr. Biden supporter Trevor Higgins.

"I am grateful for President Biden and what he has done. I would like him to be remembered as a very good president and not for the weakness we have seen recently as a result of age", says another supporter of the President.

In New York, some of the citizens interviewed by the Voice of America, say that the weak appearance of the President during the first and only televised debate with the Republican rival, Donald Trump, cannot be erased from the memory.

"During the debate he was not at his best. My father is starting to show the first signs of Alzheimer's and I take care of him. "When I saw the debate, I thought he was more of an individual who needs to be taken care of and shouldn't be put in such a stressful situation that the job of leading the most important nation in the world requires," said Cesar Gonzalez, a resident of New York. .

"I think he should have given up. He is not in a good mental state to continue the race and it is better to give this task to someone else," says another resident of New York, Nereida Sarracin.

Another resident says she was surprised by the news.

"I'm shocked and I don't understand what's happening! That was my first reaction when I heard the news, but on the other hand, Kamala is coming out on top and I love that," says Frenchie Langford.

While another resident of New York says that the Democratic Party should have intervened before to replace Mr. Biden.

"Honestly, I'm not surprised. I wish the Democratic Party had realized this earlier, so that the decision would not have seemed so rushed and chaotic. If Mr. Biden had remained a candidate, he would still have lost to Mr. Trump. However, I think this late decision is much better than continuing the race with Mr. Biden," says Madeline Mills.

Other New Yorkers welcome the decision and say they want to remember the President as a politician who did a good job.

"I think it's a good idea. I voted for Mr. Biden. He and other Democratic officials have done an outstanding job. They passed two or three major pieces of legislation in the face of heavy-handed efforts by the Republican opposition, but the fact is that he has gotten very old. I think a lot of Americans know that," says Jeff Kiffer.

"I am relieved. He is a wonderful man. But obviously, age has taken its toll. I'm glad he's leaving because he did what's right for the country," says Charles Buddeke.

"I think President Biden deserves all the praise for deciding to retire. It was definitely not an easy decision," says New York resident Scott Perkins.

Discussions about the possibility of President Biden's departure began after the debate with former President Trump on June 27. Not a few Democratic officials, including dozens of lawmakers, publicly called on the president to step down, citing polls showing a drop in support for him after the debate, as well as several interviews he gave afterward to American media./ VOA