Virginia lawmakers react to President's national address
ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - A patriotic step; that is how Virginia’s Senators are reacting to President Joe Biden’s decision to take his name off the November ballot and address the nation.
However, Republican lawmakers in the region emphasize the decision is a sign of weakness in Biden’s ability to lead.
“I revere this office, but I love my country more,” President Biden said from the Oval Office during his speech Wednesday.
The president emphasized his love for the United States is what guided him to drop out of the 2024 Presidential race.
“Joe Biden has not only created historic legacy for himself as a great senator, vice president and president. But taking that patriotic step is something that I think Americans appreciate. And over time, I think we’ll come to even respect and appreciate it more,” Senator Tim Kaine said.
Senators Kaine and Mark Warner have shared their enthusiasm and support for Vice President Kamala Harris to be on the Democratic ticket, with Warner saying there is more energy behind her campaign.
“I got to tell you I feel much much better about Virginia,” Warner said But I also think states that appeared to be potentially slipping away from president Biden... Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina... are going to be back in play,” Warner said.
However, on the other side of the aisle, Virginia’s Republican lawmakers say the move is a sign of weakness in Biden’s leadership.
Thursday afternoon, Congressman Ben Cline released a statement saying, “While Joe Biden has prematurely ended his losing presidential campaign, his Vice President, Kamala Harris, will try to convince voters to continue their destructive policies of open borders, inflationary spending, and endless wars. Regardless of who is at the top of the ticket, voters are ready to reject the Biden-Harris agenda this November and elect Donald Trump and JD Vance.”
Democrats have 25 days until the Democratic National Convention, where they will officially pick their candidate to face off against former President Trump and Ohio Senator Vance.
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