TEXAS, USA — After many discussions and calls for President Biden to step down for reelection, news spread after the president made the announcement on social media Sunday, announcing he is dropping out of the 2024 presidential race.
Two political parties, two different responses to Biden's farewell to the race.
Midland County Republican Party Chair James Beauchamp said it was the correct decision for the Democratic Party.
"Over the last couple of weeks, you've seen literally a barrage of fellow Democrats and even some of his very good friends question that as well and really push him out," Beauchamp said. "I don't think it's surprising.”
Ector County Democratic Party Chair JoAnna Keese said she did not have any particular feelings on the matter and was fully on board.
"We sort of had an indication and an anticipation that it would in fact happen," Keese continued. "It doesn't change our principles, our goals, our platform or our agenda.”
Keese said Biden leaving may even increase the party's chances for a win, but Beauchamp felt the decision may have left voters disappointed.
"From a Republican standpoint, as I look at this, you're 100 days out essentially from the presidential election," Beauchamp said. "One of the most important elections in our history and in a manner whether you're a Democrat or whether you're a Republican. We all feel this is a very important election."
Beauchamp said this amount of "chaos in the nomination process is a really poor reflection on the way we select leaders and nominees."
According to Keese, despite health and age, swing state votes were a key factor in Biden's decision.
President Biden also announced that he is endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place; an endorsement that could shift perspectives.
"There's about nine really solid good candidates that we kind of anticipate it will be one of them," Keese said. "And I think they will definitely pay attention to where they can pull swing state votes as far as their VP pick. You have to be very strategic about that. It really doesn't change our message or our platform one bit, that will remain solid the same. What it will do is energize independent, new and swing voters."
Both parties highlighted key issues they plan to tackle from economic inflation to immigration and foreign policy. They say their strategy to victory will not change because of Biden's exit.
"It's the same administration moving forward," Beauchamp said. "It's just you don't have Joe Biden on the ticket anymore, unless at the [Democratic National] Convention something occurs and they nominate someone outside of that realm. I think at that point it would be a very different game, but short of that happening, I doubt it."
Keese said her party is excited. "At first it was sort of like we were bummed, we're disappointed, but then as we saw the sort of like the excitement and the momentum happened within several hours almost immediately, frankly, of the announcement, I think it was all hands on deck."
This presidential race is shaping up to be on the most pivotal in recent history and everyone will be keeping a close eye on the polls.