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Harry S. Truman -

Harry S. Truman was the first president in US history to drop out of an ongoing presidential reelection campaign. Prior to this, in the 1944 election, he was chosen as President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s running mate, becoming vice president in 1945.

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A quick rise -

Truman assumed the presidency on April 12, 1945, following the death of President Roosevelt. After he completed Roosevelt's term, he was elected to a full term in his own right in 1948.

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End of World War II -

It was Truman who had made the momentous decision to use atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But although the Second World War had been brought to an end as a result, the devastation and destruction caused by the bombs had an extremely negative impact on Truman’s presidency.

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Post-World War II -

Truman’s presidency was marked by many other significant challenges after World War II, including the beginning of the Cold War, the Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe, the establishment of the United Nations (pictured), and the start of the Korean War.

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The Cold War -

The onset of the Cold War was one of the most significant aspects of President Truman’s term in the White House. In 1947, he implemented the Truman Doctrine to contain the spread of communism; it emphasized the American commitment to global affairs.

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The Korean War -

After the Korean Peninsula was divided into North and South Korea, war broke out between the two nations in 1950. North Korea was supported by the communist Soviet Union, while South Korea was supported by the US. The conflict eventually resulted in a stalemate and deeply affected Truman’s popularity.

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Domestic issues -

Domestically, Truman faced numerous issues such as labor strikes, civil rights challenges, and even economic difficulties as the nation transitioned from a wartime to a peacetime economy. His Fair Deal program aimed to continue and expand FDR's New Deal series of programs, but he encountered substantial opposition in Congress.

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Reelection campaign -

By 1951, Truman's popularity had significantly declined. His approval ratings were low, hovering around 22%, largely due to the stalemate in the Korean War, charges of corruption within his administration, and widespread dissatisfaction with his handling of domestic and international affairs.

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Limited terms -

In 1951, the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, which limited presidents to two terms. However, Truman was exempt from this amendment because he was the sitting president when it was passed, allowing him the option to run for another term in 1952.

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Party challenges -

Truman faced considerable challenges within the Democratic Party. There was substantial opposition to his potential candidacy for another term, and it was unclear whether he could secure the nomination. Key figures like Senator Estes Kefauver of Tennessee (pictured) were gaining traction and posed significant challenges to Truman’s leadership.

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The ultimate decision -

On March 29, 1952, at the annual Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner in Washington, D.C., Truman announced that he would not seek reelection. He stated, "I shall not be a candidate for reelection. I have served my country long, and I think efficiently and honestly. I shall retire in January with the satisfaction of having done my best for my country and my party."

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A new dawn -

Truman’s announcement paved the way for Adlai Stevenson to become the Democratic nominee, although Stevenson ultimately lost to Dwight D. Eisenhower in the 1952 presidential election.

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Lyndon B. Johnson -

The second US president to drop out of an ongoing reelection campaign was Lyndon B. Johnson. Previously, in 1960, Johnson was chosen as John F. Kennedy's running mate, and he was sworn in as vice president in 1961.

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Presidency -

After Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, Johnson took over the remaining time of Kennedy’s presidency before he was elected to a full term in November of the following year.

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Vietnam War -

Johnson's presidency was heavily marked by the Vietnam War, which had become increasingly unpopular and divisive by the late 1960s. The war sparked massive protests and discontent amongst the American public.

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Great Society -

In 1965, Johnson launched the Great Society programs aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice. Key initiatives included Medicaid, the Civil Rights Act, and the Voting Rights Act. Despite his successes with the programs, the ongoing conflict in Vietnam overshadowed many of his domestic achievements.

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Social unrest - The 1960s were also marked by significant social unrest, including the civil rights movement, anti-war protests, and urban riots. During Johnson’s presidency, activist Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, which caused many civilians to heavily scrutinize the administration.

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Political pressure -

By 1968, Johnson faced significant opposition not only from the general public but also from within his own party. The Democratic Party was deeply divided, with prominent figures like Senator Eugene McCarthy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy (pictured) challenging his leadership.

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Tet Offensive -

The Tet Offensive was a coordinated attack during the Vietnam War in January 1968, during which the US Armed Forces were attacked. The campaign further eroded public support for the war and, by extension, Johnson's presidency. Many believed that the war was unwinnable, and the increasing American casualties significantly diminished Johnson’s popularity.

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Health concerns -

Johnson's health was also a factor that played a major role in the outcome of his time in office. He had a history of heart problems, and the stress of the presidency was taking a toll on him. Furthermore, Johnson had always been a heavy smoker, and was once heard saying that it was better for his heart “to smoke than to be nervous.”

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The final decision -

On March 31, 1968, in a nationally televised address, Johnson announced that he would not seek nor accept the nomination of his party for another term as president. Johnson's decision was influenced by his desire to focus on achieving peace in Vietnam and addressing the nation's pressing issues without the distractions of a political campaign.

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Change of leadership -

After Johnson dropped out of the presidential race, he continued to influence major policies that included the announcement that all military bombardments of North Vietnam would cease. Afterward, Richard Nixon won the 1968 presidential election and was inaugurated the following year.

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Joe Biden -

Joe Biden is only the third president in US history to have withdrawn from a candidacy in the middle of an ongoing presidential election. Biden’s time in the White House started in 2009, when he served as vice president to Barack Obama.

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A break in politics -

In 2016, Biden initially decided not to run for president following the death of his son Beau (pictured). However, Biden eventually announced his candidacy for the 2020 presidential election, and positioned himself as a unifying figure capable of restoring decency and competence to the White House.

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COVID-19 pandemic -

But Biden's presidency was marred by difficulties and relatively poor decisions from the beginning. His term began in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which his administration prioritized vaccine distribution, economic relief, and public health measures to combat the virus.

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Afghanistan -

The withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in August 2021 faced widespread criticism due to the violent and rapid takeover by the Taliban. Biden’s administration was heavily condemned for the decision.

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War on Palestine -

Another area of Biden’s administration that has garnered intense scrutiny is their role in the Israel-Hamas war. Biden’s approval rating since the conflict started has dropped tremendously, with many civilians imploring him to cease sending weapons to the Israeli military.

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A late drop -

With less than four months to go before the election, Biden officially dropped out of the 2024 election on July 21. This is the first time that a presidential candidate has dropped out of a reelection race so late (Truman and Johnson both dropped out in late March).

Sources: (Britannica) (The White House) (History) (White House Historical Association)

See also: Joe Biden's most embarrassing moments

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