Biden sidesteps hard truths in first speech since quitting race

Left unsaid was the reality that he left the race for the White House because it was becoming increasingly clear he would lose, writes the BBC's Anthony Zurcher.

British Broadcasting CorporationWatchHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureTravelEarthVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessWomen at the HelmFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureTravelEarthVideoLiveAudioWeatherNewslettersBiden sidesteps hard truths in first speech since quitting raceWatch key moments from Biden's primetime addressIt was Joe Biden's first chance to define how he will be judged by history.

In a rare televised address from the Oval Office on Wednesday night, his first public comments since he abruptly ended his re-election bid on Sunday, he spoke of his accomplishments. He spoke of his humble roots. He sang the praises of the American people. He said the future of American democracy lies in their hands.

What he didn’t do, despite saying he would always level with Americans, was provide a direct explanation for the biggest question of the day.

He didn’t say why he has become the first incumbent president to abandon a re-election bid, just a few months before voting begins.

And that is what the history books will be most interested in.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crg5pq8ql1vo

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