“In the interest of the party and the country” –

“And while it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interests of my party and the country for me to resign and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term,” reads a passage in the note with which Joe Biden announces his withdrawal from the race for the US presidency.

“My fellow Americans, over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a nation,” Biden wrote in the statement. “Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We’ve made historic investments in rebuilding our nation, reducing prescription drug costs for seniors, and expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans. We’ve provided badly needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years.” Appointed the first African-American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today. “I know none of this could have been done without you, the American people. Together, we’ve weathered a once-in-a-century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We’ve protected and preserved our democracy. And we’ve revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world.” It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to step down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term. “I will speak with the nation in more detail later this week about my decision.” “For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all who worked so hard to see me reelected. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all of this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me. “I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America cannot do — when we do it together. We just need to remember that we are the United States of America.”