US President Joe Biden says he decided to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race partly because he was concerned about a negative impact on Congressional elections that will take place at the same time.
Biden’s comments were aired on CBS News on Sunday. It was his first TV interview since he announced his decision in July.
The president said his Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate thought he would “hurt” them in their elections.
He expressed concern that if he stayed in the race, that would be the topic. He added that it would be “a real distraction.”
Biden went on to say maintaining democracy is the “critical issue” for him. He stressed that he and other Democrats must defeat the Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump.
Asked about his shaky performance in the June televised debate against Trump, Biden said he was sick and he had a “really bad day.”
He added, “But I have no serious problem.”
On Sunday, Biden demonstrated his fitness by riding a bicycle in Delaware, where he was staying.