Joe Biden has been one of America’s most consequential presidents, this is according to former United States (U.S) President Barack Obama.

Obama’s sentiments come hours after President Joe Biden dropped his re-election bid following sustained pressure from different quarters, including from his Democratic Party.

By dropping out of the race to pave way for a young and energetic candidate, Obama says that Americans have been reminded once again that Biden is a patriot of “the highest order”.

Obama was the 44th President of the US, serving for two terms from 2009 to 2017. In both terms, Obama chose Joe Biden as his vice president. Obama relishes Biden’s remarkable career in public service and his character — his deep empathy and hard-earned resilience; his fundamental decency and belief that everyone counts.

‘Joe Biden track record’

“Since taking office, President Biden has displayed that character again and again. He helped end the pandemic, created millions of jobs, lowered the cost of prescription drugs, passed the first major piece of gun safety legislation in 30 years, made the biggest investment to address climate change in history, and fought to ensure the rights of working people to organize for fair wages and benefits. Internationally, he restored America’s standing in the world, revitalized NATO, and mobilized the world to stand up against Russian aggression in Ukraine,” Obama added in a statement.

By virtue of the aforementioned track record, Obama maintains that Biden had every right to run for re-election and finish the job he started. He says that he knows Biden never backs down from a fight, and that dropping his bid is one of the toughest decisions in his life.

“But I know he wouldn’t make this decision unless he believed it was right for America. It’s a testament to Joe Biden’s love of country — and a historic example of a genuine public servant once again putting the interests of the American people ahead of his own that future generations of leaders will do well to follow.”

Obama stops short of backing Kamala Harris

President Biden announced Sunday that he will end his presidential re-election campaign, bringing to an abrupt end his half-century-long political career less than four months before Election Day.

There was pressure from within his party that the 81-year-old was too frail to serve, with questions over his ability to defeat Republican candidate Donald Trump in November.

While dropping his bid, President Biden backed his Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him as the Democratic nominee.

But in his statement, Obama steered clear of endorsing anybody.

“We will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead. But I have extraordinary confidence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges. I believe that Joe Biden’s vision of a generous, prosperous, and united America that provides opportunity for everyone will be on full display at the Democratic Convention in August. And I expect that every single one of us are prepared to carry that message of hope and progress forward into November and beyond,” Obama said.

While many politicians have read too much from Obama’s snubbing of Kamala in his tribute to Biden, pundits say that Obama has positioned himself as an impartial elder statesman, who raises above intraparty machinations.

During the 2020 Democratic primaries, Obama remained neutral.