Biden mumbles as he reveals why he decided to ‘pass the torch’ and insists he could have served four more years as president in address to nation

President Joe Biden mumbled his reasons for leaving the 2024 campaign, arguing he could serve for four more years if he wanted.

He said he chose to pass the torch to Vice President Kamala Harris because he believed it would unite the country and save democracy.

“I believe that my record as president, my leadership in the world and my vision for America’s future all justify a second term,” he said in a prime-time address from the Oval Office.

“But nothing, absolutely nothing, can stand in the way of saving our democracy. That includes personal ambitions. That’s why I’ve decided that the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation.”

“There is a time and a place for years of experience in public life. There is also a time and a place for new voices, fresh voices. Yes, younger voices,” he noted.

One thing he didn’t address was his own health. Biden, 81, had just recovered from a bout of COVID, but it was his disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump, in which he fumbled for words and at times stared blankly, that led several Democrats to call for him to drop out of the presidential race.

As he spoke, his family stood on the edge of the Oval Office: Jill Biden, Ashley Biden and her husband Howard Krein, and Hunter Biden and her wife Melissa Cohen.

Biden stumbled a bit in his delivery, mumbling at times and speaking softly. But he used the speech to outline his legacy, explain his reasons for dropping out of the presidential race and note that he has more work to do in his six months in office.

He said he respected the office, but that he loved his country more.

“I respect this office, but I love my country even more,” the president said.

“It is an honor for me to serve as your president, but the defense of democracy, which is at stake, is more important to me than a title.”

Biden made it clear that he was stepping down voluntarily, a stark contrast to his predecessor. He did not mention Donald Trump by name, but his meaning was clear when he said that the country is more important than the Oval Office.

Trump attempted to overturn the 2020 election results and remain in power. He was later sued by state and federal authorities for his actions.

“America is an idea — an idea stronger than any army, bigger than any ocean, more powerful than any dictator,” Biden said.

Biden’s decision to resign sent shockwaves through the political world.

He endorsed Harris as his nominee and turned over his campaign infrastructure to her. The campaign renamed itself “Harris for President.”

Within 30 hours, Harris had pledged enough delegates to win the presidential nomination.

In his speech on Wednesday night, Biden did not explicitly endorse Harris, but did note that he “has made his positions known.

“I’ve made my choice. I’ve made my views known. I want to thank our great Vice President Kamala Harris. She’s experienced. She’s tough. She’s capable. She’s an incredible partner for me and a leader for our country.”

“Now the choice is yours, the American people,” he said, looking ahead to the upcoming elections.

Delegates will nominate their tickets virtually between August 1 and 7, ahead of the Democratic National Convention, which kicks off on August 19 in Chicago.

The president returned to the White House on Tuesday after spending six days in isolation at his Rehoboth Beach home, where he was suffering from COVID.

He has canceled a West Coast fundraiser scheduled for later this week.

On Thursday, he will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.

For weeks he has resisted pressure from his party to step down as a candidate, but on Sunday he bowed to the inevitable.

Biden is the first sitting president not to seek re-election since 1968, when Lyndon Johnson, under fire for his handling of the Vietnam War, abruptly withdrew from the campaign on March 31.

The president joins Presidents James K. Polk, James Buchanan, Rutherford B. Hayes, Calvin Coolidge and Harry Truman who all decided not to run for a second term.

Meanwhile, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Wednesday denied that Biden’s staff and family members covered up Biden’s declining health and mental capacity.

Biden’s top spokesman was repeatedly questioned about Biden’s apparent change of heart about a second term and denied that his health had anything to do with the decision.

During her press conference — the first since Biden’s historic decision to resign as the Democratic presidential nominee — Fox News’ Peter Doocy asked her, “It appears that people in the White House knew that President Biden was in decline and that this was hidden from the American people. Who then directed White House officials to cover up a declining president?”

“There was no cover-up,” she replied.

For weeks, Jean-Pierre and other aides denied that Biden was considering dropping out of the presidential race. For months, they denied reports that his health was deteriorating. But during the June 26 presidential debate, Biden repeatedly fumbled for words and balked at the camera, leading to questions from his own party about his ability to serve a second term in the White House. On Sunday, Biden announced he was stepping down as the party’s nominee.

She said the president made his decision in a “very short time.”

Jean-Pierre pushed back against reports that advisers, lawmakers and Democratic officials had noticed Biden’s decline for months.

She also said his health did not play a role in his decision to withdraw from the presidential race.

“It has nothing to do with his health,” she said. “I can say, no, that’s not the reason.”

She also called calls for the president to resign “ridiculous.”

Questions have been raised about why Biden, if he cannot serve four more years, is being allowed to serve six more months.

Jean-Pierre argued that Biden was capable of serving a full second term.

“He didn’t stop campaigning or running for office because he didn’t believe he could serve a second term. That’s not the reason,” she said.