Hillary Clinton stated President Biden's decision to seek a second term was a 'terrible mistake' that cost Democrats the presidency and may have damaged his legacy. She believes any other Democratic nominee would have defeated Donald Trump.
Hillary Clinton's critique of President Biden's reelection campaign highlights internal Democratic concerns about leadership and electability, potentially impacting future party strategies and voter perceptions.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has sharply criticized President Joe Biden's decision to pursue a second term, labeling it a 'terrible mistake' that ultimately cost Democrats the presidency. Speaking at the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan, Clinton asserted that Biden had broken a prior commitment to step aside, a move she described as a 'betrayal' with catastrophic consequences.
Clinton contended that if Biden had announced his withdrawal from the race by late summer 2023, a competitive Democratic primary would have yielded a stronger nominee. She expressed confidence that 'whoever emerged from that contest... would have beaten Donald Trump,' calling Biden's decision to remain a 'terrible miscalculation.'
The article notes that Biden ultimately withdrew from the presidential race in July 2024 after a widely criticized debate performance, subsequently handing the nomination to Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris, however, lost the general election to Trump. The piece also references a 2025 report identifying core issues in the Democratic defeat, including a desire for economic change and a media advantage for Republicans, alongside misalignments on issues like Gaza and immigration.