Joe Biden referred to the critical turning point facing the US ahead of the November elections in his speech in which he explained the reasons why he decided to withdraw from the presidential election race.

From the Oval Office and in a voice that betrayed the recent adventure with the coronavirus, the American president in about 11 minutes of the speech took stock of his tenure, while he insisted on the importance of the electoral contest for the future of the USA.

The announcement had been foreshadowed since Sunday when he announced that he was leaving the campaign, only to add shortly after that he would support the candidacy of Vice President Kamala Harris.

Biden first made a reference to the great presidents of the past. “I am in awe of this office, but more than that I love my country,” he stressed.

He said it is the greatest honor of his life to serve in the highest office. “I found strength from the people” for the project, he said. This work, he continued, “is not for me but for you and your families and I have never forgotten that.”

The decisions we take now will affect the nation for decades, he added, saying that in elections the nation will be asked to decide between truth and lies, unity and division.

It is my duty to unite the nation at this critical juncture, as “nothing can come above the protection of democracy,” he said then explaining that “it is best to pass the baton to a new generation.”

I believe, he added, that he did well enough to deserve a second term, but decided to step aside for a younger candidate. This is the best to unite our nation, he explained. There is a time and a place for new, fresh and – yes – younger voices and that time and place is now, he explained.