'I love my country more': Why Biden dropped out

“I revere this office, but I love my country more,” he said.

Biden addressed the US from the Oval Office in his first lengthy public remarks since his withdrawal from the presidential race.

“In recent weeks it has become clear to me that I need to unite my party in this critical endeavour,” he said.

“I believe my record as president, my leadership in the world, my vision for America’s future, all lead to a second term, but nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy. That includes personal ambition.

“I have decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation.”

Without mentioning Republican rival Donald Trump, Biden said the US was at an “inflection point”.

“One of those rare moments in history where the decisions we make now determine the fate of our nation and the world for decades to come,” he said.

“America will have to choose between moving forward or backward, between hope and hate, unity and division.”

He urged people to see those they politically disagreed with not as enemies but as “fellow Americans”.

Biden called for “new, fresh voices” in US politics, and, acknowledging apprehension about his age that helped end his presidential campaign, for “younger voices”.

“Over the next six months, I will be focused on doing my job as president,” he said.

He outlined his priorities for the remainder of his term to be lowering the cost of living, defending civil rights, calling out “hate and extremism”, including political violence.

He said he would “keep fighting to end cancer” and even flagged a call for reform to the US Supreme Court.

“I will keep working to ensure America remains strong, secure and the leader of the free world,” he said.

Biden laid out what he claimed were the achievements of his term, saying that for the first time in the 21st century, the US was not at war anywhere in the world.

He also listed the US support for Ukraine, 16 million new US jobs, the world’s “strongest economy”, falling inflation, lower rates of violent crime, and increased US manufacturing.

“I ran for president four years ago because I believed, and still do, that the soul of America is at stake,” he said.

“The very nature of who we are was at stake and that is still the case.

“America is an idea, an idea stronger than any army, bigger than any ocean, more powerful than any dictator or tyrant.

“It is the most powerful idea in the history of the world.”

He said the US had never “fully” lived up to its ideals of equality and liberty, but that it had never walked away from it either.

“And I do not believe the American people walk away from it now,” he said.

Biden also took the time to praise his probable replacement as Democratic nominee for the presidency.

“In just a few months, the American people will choose the course of America’s future. I made my choice. I made my views known,” he said.

“I would like to thank our great Vice President Kamala Harris. She is experienced, tough, capable.

“She’s been an incredible partner to me and a leader for our country. Now the choice is up to you, the American people.

“He spoke of his “gratitude” to the citizens of the US.

“Whether we keep our republic is now in your hands,” he said.

“The great thing about America is here, kings and dictators do not rule. The people do. This story is in your hands. The power is in your hands.”