After President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the prospective candidate to challenge Donald Trump, we asked Sun-Times readers how they felt. The responses are lightly edited for clarity and readability:
“It was time and he did it with grace and dignity!”
— Rita Hasner
“It was the right thing for our country. No one over the age of 65 should be able to hold the office of president. I will be supporting VP Harris.”
— Ellen Williamson, 67
“Sad. He was my president, the first with a voice disorder like me! I understood when he had to rethink a word or misspoke. It made me think I was not alone! I hated how the right chose to make fun of his disability! Plus all the good he did for seniors and students!”
— Patricia Simmons, 70
“It is the right decision but wish he didn’t run to begin with so voters could be involved”
— Terri Riley
“I’m upset. I feel he was a great president and in his second term he would have been more progressive. I don’t know how mainstream America will feel about a mixed-race woman president, but the alternative is a 34-count felon”
— Sherronda Bohanon
“Biden put his ego aside and put America first, if only the other old guy would do the same. 😂”
— Erica Palmer
“I think his timing was strategic! President Biden waited until after the Republican VP was chosen and the convention ended. He has been an incredible public servant for decades and will retire soon. I am happy about his decision.”
— Judith Ann
“Great! I love and respect all that Joe Biden has done during his term. Delighted that he endorsed and passed the proverbial torch to Kamala Harris. Now the campaign feels more rejuvenated, revitalized, re-energized and winnable for the Democratic Party.”
— Ida McCarty, 59, West Pullman
“Whether you wanted him to drop out or stay in, the end goal hasn’t changed. It’s to WIN.👍🏾”
— Anthony Parr Sr.
“It’s OK to not run again. He did well and recognized he can’t go further, and that is REAL LEADERSHIP!”
— Randy Wooding
“I had friends who were all for Trump after the shooting, but some are shifting to Harris now. I believe the election will be close. I believe Biden would’ve lost.”
— Jesse Rocha
The up-and-coming Chicago artist’s major commission in East Garfield Park is one of seven projects tied to the city’s moment in the national political spotlight.
By Elly Fishman
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From reminders of the hurdles they’ve had to overcome to confidence in Harris’ ability to lead, these delegates describe what the vice president’s nomination means to them.
Some plan to join with other activists who are planning demonstrations at the Democratic National Convention, saying they are tired of broken promises.
By Elvia Malagón
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The courtroom at the Area 3 police station at Belmont and Western will be staffed from 8 a.m. to midnight during the week of the convention, which begins Aug. 19. Judges have been strongly encouraged to clear their calendars during that time. Judges with experience in the Pretrial Division are being brought back to handle hearings.
A stalwart of the U.S. Senate, Durbin says he will decide whether to seek reelection in 2025.
The Sun-Times first reported the Harris campaign called Pritzker Wednesday about the possibility of serving as her running mate, but the Illinois governor told reporters that Harris’ campaign “did not call me yesterday.” The Sun-Times stands by its story.
The maps designate two separate perimeters around the United Center and McCormick Place, where Democratic delegates will respectively meet to coronate the party’s presidential nominee and conduct party business
By Tom Schuba
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La campaña de Harris llamó al gobernador para conversar sobre el puesto número 2 el miércoles, dijo una fuente al Sun-Times. “Sería reacio a hacer un cambio, pero sería difícil resistirse a una llamada y a ser considerado si la candidata me llamara para preguntarme si quiero ser considerado para la vicepresidencia”, dijo Pritzker a CNN.
By Tina Sfondeles
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The Democratic National Convention takes place Aug. 19-22, but street closings and public transit detours begin days earlier — and the sprucing up is already underway. “It’s b——– because it took [the convention] for them to fix it up,” said Henry Horner Homes resident Tracy Johnson of the improvements.
By David Struett
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The vice president is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc., a Black Greek-letter organization. Her more than 300,000 “sorors” plan to play a large role in the November presidential election.