PRESIDENT’S HISTORIC PRESIDENT’S HISTORIC ANNOUNCEMENT. PRESIDENT’S HISTORIC ANNOUNCEMENT. PRESIDENT BIDEN NO ANNOUNCEMENT. PRESIDENT BIDEN NO LONGER RUNNING FOR A PRESIDENT BIDEN NO LONGER RUNNING FOR A SECOND TERM. LONGER RUNNING FOR A SECOND TERM. NOW THE FALLOUT AND SECOND TERM. NOW THE FALLOUT AND WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. NOW THE FALLOUT AND WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. PRESIDENT BIDEN’S WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. PRESIDENT BIDEN’S DECISION A POLITICAL PRESIDENT BIDEN’S DECISION A POLITICAL EARTHQUAKE, THE RACE DECISION A POLITICAL EARTHQUAKE, THE RACE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE EARTHQUAKE, THE RACE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE NOW THROWN INTO FOR THE WHITE HOUSE NOW THROWN INTO DISARRAY. NOW THROWN INTO DISARRAY. THE PRESIDENT DISARRAY. THE PRESIDENT ENDORSING VICE THE PRESIDENT ENDORSING VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA ENDORSING VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS, SAYING WHILE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS, SAYING WHILE HE WANTED TO RUN HARRIS, SAYING WHILE HE WANTED TO RUN AGAIN, HE’S DOING HE WANTED TO RUN AGAIN, HE’S DOING WHAT’S BEST FOR THE AGAIN, HE’S DOING WHAT’S BEST FOR THE PARTY AND THE COUNTRY. WHAT’S BEST FOR THE PARTY AND THE COUNTRY. THE NEW FOCUS ON THE PARTY AND THE COUNTRY. THE NEW FOCUS ON THE VICE PRESIDENT, DOES THE NEW FOCUS ON THE VICE PRESIDENT, DOES SHE HAVE THE PARTY’S VICE PRESIDENT, DOES SHE HAVE THE PARTY’S AND VOTERS’ SUPPORT? SHE HAVE THE PARTY’S AND VOTERS’ SUPPORT? HARRIS SAYING HER AND VOTERS’ SUPPORT? HARRIS SAYING HER INTENTION IS TO EARN HARRIS SAYING HER INTENTION IS TO EARN AND WIN THE INTENTION IS TO EARN AND WIN THE NOMINATION, BUT WILL AND WIN THE NOMINATION, BUT WILL OTHER DEMOCRATS NOMINATION, BUT WILL OTHER DEMOCRATS CHALLENGE HER? OTHER DEMOCRATS CHALLENGE HER? THE TIMELINE FAST CHALLENGE HER? THE TIMELINE FAST APPROACHING, WHAT A THE TIMELINE FAST APPROACHING, WHAT A MEANS FOR THE APPROACHING, WHAT A MEANS FOR THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION, MEANS FOR THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION, GETTING ON THE BALLOT DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION, GETTING ON THE BALLOT IN ALL 50 STATES, AND GETTING ON THE BALLOT IN ALL 50 STATES, AND WHAT HAPPENS TO ALL IN ALL 50 STATES, AND WHAT HAPPENS TO ALL THAT MONEY RAISED FOR WHAT HAPPENS TO ALL THAT MONEY RAISED FOR BIDEN? THAT MONEY RAISED FOR BIDEN? >>> FORMER PRESIDENT BIDEN? >>> FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP WEIGHING IN, >>> FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP WEIGHING IN, WHAT HE TOLD OUR TRUMP WEIGHING IN, WHAT HE TOLD OUR CORRESPONDENT ABOUT WHAT HE TOLD OUR CORRESPONDENT ABOUT THE NEW STATE OF THE CORRESPONDENT ABOUT THE NEW STATE OF THE RACE, BUT ARE THEY THE NEW STATE OF THE RACE, BUT ARE THEY READY TO TAKE ON RACE, BUT ARE THEY READY TO TAKE ON WHOEVER DEMOCRATS READY TO TAKE ON WHOEVER DEMOCRATS CHOOSE? WHOEVER DEMOCRATS CHOOSE? ALL OF THIS ONE WEEK CHOOSE? ALL OF THIS ONE WEEK AFTER AN ASSASSINATION ALL OF THIS ONE WEEK AFTER AN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON THE AFTER AN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL. ATTEMPT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL. >>> THE PRESIDENT’S CAMPAIGN TRAIL. >>> THE PRESIDENT’S LEGACY HALF A CENTURY >>> THE PRESIDENT’S LEGACY HALF A CENTURY IN PUBLIC LIFE, LEGACY HALF A CENTURY IN PUBLIC LIFE, BIDEN’S IMPACT ON THE IN PUBLIC LIFE, BIDEN’S IMPACT ON THE COUNTRY, HIS BIDEN’S IMPACT ON THE COUNTRY, HIS ACHIEVEMENTS WHILE IN COUNTRY, HIS ACHIEVEMENTS WHILE IN OFFICE AMID HIS ACHIEVEMENTS WHILE IN OFFICE AMID HIS STRUGGLES. OFFICE AMID HIS STRUGGLES. >>> AND FINALLY, STRUGGLES. >>> AND FINALLY, HISTORY PLAYING OUT IN >>> AND FINALLY, HISTORY PLAYING OUT IN REALTIME, A POLITICAL HISTORY PLAYING OUT IN REALTIME, A POLITICAL SHAKEUP THE NATION REALTIME, A POLITICAL SHAKEUP THE NATION HASN’T EXPERIENCED IN SHAKEUP THE NATION HASN’T EXPERIENCED IN NEARLY 60 YEARS. HASN’T EXPERIENCED IN NEARLY 60 YEARS. >> Announcer: THIS IS NEARLY 60 YEARS. >> Announcer: THIS IS "NBC NIGHTLY NEWS" >> Announcer: THIS IS "NBC NIGHTLY NEWS" WITH LESTER HOLT. "NBC NIGHTLY NEWS" WITH LESTER HOLT. >>> GOOD EVENING AND WITH LESTER HOLT. >>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME. >>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME. TONIGHT WE ARE WELCOME. TONIGHT WE ARE WITNESSING A MAJOR TONIGHT WE ARE WITNESSING A MAJOR UPHEAVAL IN AMERICAN WITNESSING A MAJOR UPHEAVAL IN AMERICAN POLITICS AND THE RACE UPHEAVAL IN AMERICAN POLITICS AND THE RACE FOR PRESIDENT. POLITICS AND THE RACE FOR PRESIDENT. JUST OVER 100 DAYS FOR PRESIDENT. JUST OVER 100 DAYS BEFORE AMERICANS GO TO JUST OVER 100 DAYS BEFORE AMERICANS GO TO THE POLLS IN NOVEMBER, BEFORE AMERICANS GO TO THE POLLS IN NOVEMBER, PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS THE POLLS IN NOVEMBER, PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS ANNOUNCED HE WILL NOT PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS ANNOUNCED HE WILL NOT SEEK REELECTION, ANNOUNCED HE WILL NOT SEEK REELECTION, WRITING A NEW CHAPTER SEEK REELECTION, WRITING A NEW CHAPTER TO HIS LEGACY. WRITING A NEW CHAPTER TO HIS LEGACY. TODAY IN A LETTER TO TO HIS LEGACY. TODAY IN A LETTER TO THE NATION THE TODAY IN A LETTER TO THE NATION THE PRESIDENT SAYING IT IS THE NATION THE PRESIDENT SAYING IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST PRESIDENT SAYING IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF MY PARTY AND THE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF MY PARTY AND THE COUNTRY FOR ME TO OF MY PARTY AND THE COUNTRY FOR ME TO STAND DOWN ON HIS COUNTRY FOR ME TO STAND DOWN ON HIS REELECTION BID. STAND DOWN ON HIS REELECTION BID. MR. BIDEN HAS FACE ADD REELECTION BID. MR. BIDEN HAS FACE ADD STEADY EROSION OF MR. BIDEN HAS FACE ADD STEADY EROSION OF SUPPORT FOR HIS STEADY EROSION OF SUPPORT FOR HIS CANDIDACY AMONG SUPPORT FOR HIS CANDIDACY AMONG DEMOCRATS IN THE WEEKS CANDIDACY AMONG DEMOCRATS IN THE WEEKS FOLLOWING HIS DEMOCRATS IN THE WEEKS FOLLOWING HIS CONCERNING DEBATE FOLLOWING HIS CONCERNING DEBATE PERFORMANCE LAST CONCERNING DEBATE PERFORMANCE LAST MONTH, ON THE HEELS OF PERFORMANCE LAST MONTH, ON THE HEELS OF HIS ANNOUNCEMENT THE MONTH, ON THE HEELS OF HIS ANNOUNCEMENT THE PRESIDENT TONIGHT HIS ANNOUNCEMENT THE PRESIDENT TONIGHT ENDORSING VICE PRESIDENT TONIGHT ENDORSING VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA ENDORSING VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS TO SUCCEED HIM PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS TO SUCCEED HIM ON THE TOP OF THE HARRIS TO SUCCEED HIM ON THE TOP OF THE TICKET. ON THE TOP OF THE TICKET. IN A STATEMENT THE TICKET. IN A STATEMENT THE VICE PRESIDENT IN A STATEMENT THE VICE PRESIDENT ANNOUNCING HER VICE PRESIDENT ANNOUNCING HER INTENTION TO EARN AND ANNOUNCING HER INTENTION TO EARN AND WIN THIS NOMINATION, INTENTION TO EARN AND WIN THIS NOMINATION, BUT THE PATH FORWARD WIN THIS NOMINATION, BUT THE PATH FORWARD FOR DEMOCRATS AND HOW BUT THE PATH FORWARD FOR DEMOCRATS AND HOW THEY WILL FIELD A FOR DEMOCRATS AND HOW THEY WILL FIELD A TICKET IS HIGHLY THEY WILL FIELD A TICKET IS HIGHLY UNCERTAIN TONIGHT. TICKET IS HIGHLY UNCERTAIN TONIGHT. WE WILL EXPLORE IT ALL UNCERTAIN TONIGHT. WE WILL EXPLORE IT ALL IN OUR EXPANDED WE WILL EXPLORE IT ALL IN OUR EXPANDED COVERAGE BEGINNING IN OUR EXPANDED COVERAGE BEGINNING WITH KELLY O’DONNELL COVERAGE BEGINNING WITH KELLY O’DONNELL AT THE WHITE HOUSE. WITH KELLY O’DONNELL AT THE WHITE HOUSE. >> Reporter: A SHARP AT THE WHITE HOUSE. >> Reporter: A SHARP TURN FOR HISTORY AS >> Reporter: A SHARP TURN FOR HISTORY AS PRESIDENT BIDEN TURN FOR HISTORY AS PRESIDENT BIDEN ANNOUNCED AT 1:46 P.M. PRESIDENT BIDEN ANNOUNCED AT 1:46 P.M. THERE WOULD BE NO LAST ANNOUNCED AT 1:46 P.M. THERE WOULD BE NO LAST CAMPAIGN FOR HIM. THERE WOULD BE NO LAST CAMPAIGN FOR HIM. I BELIEVE IT IS IN THE CAMPAIGN FOR HIM. I BELIEVE IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF MY I BELIEVE IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF MY PARTY AND THE COUNTRY BEST INTEREST OF MY PARTY AND THE COUNTRY FOR ME TO STAND DOWN, PARTY AND THE COUNTRY FOR ME TO STAND DOWN, AND TO FOCUS SOLELY ON FOR ME TO STAND DOWN, AND TO FOCUS SOLELY ON FULFILLING MY DUTIES AND TO FOCUS SOLELY ON FULFILLING MY DUTIES ADDS PRESIDENT FOR THE FULFILLING MY DUTIES ADDS PRESIDENT FOR THE REMAINDER OF MY TERM. ADDS PRESIDENT FOR THE REMAINDER OF MY TERM. THEN IN A SEPARATE REMAINDER OF MY TERM. THEN IN A SEPARATE STATEMENT THE THEN IN A SEPARATE STATEMENT THE PRESIDENT EMBRACED HIS STATEMENT THE PRESIDENT EMBRACED HIS VICE PRESIDENT. PRESIDENT EMBRACED HIS VICE PRESIDENT. I WANT TO OFFER MY VICE PRESIDENT. I WANT TO OFFER MY FULL SUPPORT AND I WANT TO OFFER MY FULL SUPPORT AND ENDORSEMENT FOR FULL SUPPORT AND ENDORSEMENT FOR KAMALA, TO BE THE ENDORSEMENT FOR KAMALA, TO BE THE NOMINEE OF OUR PARTY KAMALA, TO BE THE NOMINEE OF OUR PARTY THIS YEAR. NOMINEE OF OUR PARTY THIS YEAR. A MOVE THAT ATTEMPTS THIS YEAR. A MOVE THAT ATTEMPTS TO BLUNT ANY EFFORT TO A MOVE THAT ATTEMPTS TO BLUNT ANY EFFORT TO OPEN THE NOMINATION TO BLUNT ANY EFFORT TO OPEN THE NOMINATION PROCESS BEFORE THE OPEN THE NOMINATION PROCESS BEFORE THE AUGUST CONVENTION. PROCESS BEFORE THE AUGUST CONVENTION. THE PRESIDENT HAD AUGUST CONVENTION. THE PRESIDENT HAD PRAISED HARRIS IN A THE PRESIDENT HAD PRAISED HARRIS IN A PRESS CONFERENCE THAT PRAISED HARRIS IN A PRESS CONFERENCE THAT WAS INTENDED IN PART PRESS CONFERENCE THAT WAS INTENDED IN PART TO SETTLE DOUBTS ABOUT WAS INTENDED IN PART TO SETTLE DOUBTS ABOUT HIS CANDIDACY. TO SETTLE DOUBTS ABOUT HIS CANDIDACY. >> LOOK, I WOULDN’T HIS CANDIDACY. >> LOOK, I WOULDN’T HAVE PICKED VICE >> LOOK, I WOULDN’T HAVE PICKED VICE PRESIDENT TRUMP TO BE HAVE PICKED VICE PRESIDENT TRUMP TO BE VICE PRESIDENT IF I PRESIDENT TRUMP TO BE VICE PRESIDENT IF I THINK SHE’S NOT VICE PRESIDENT IF I THINK SHE’S NOT QUALIFIED TO BE THINK SHE’S NOT QUALIFIED TO BE PRESIDENT, LET’S START QUALIFIED TO BE PRESIDENT, LET’S START THERE. PRESIDENT, LET’S START THERE. >> Reporter: THE VICE THERE. >> Reporter: THE VICE PRESIDENT OFFERED >> Reporter: THE VICE PRESIDENT OFFERED THANKS TO THE BIDENS PRESIDENT OFFERED THANKS TO THE BIDENS AND MADE HER THANKS TO THE BIDENS AND MADE HER INTENTIONS CLEAR. AND MADE HER INTENTIONS CLEAR. I WILL DO EVERYTHING INTENTIONS CLEAR. I WILL DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO UNITE I WILL DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO UNITE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN MY POWER TO UNITE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND UNITE OUR NATION, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND UNITE OUR NATION, TO DEFEAT DONALD AND UNITE OUR NATION, TO DEFEAT DONALD TRUMP. TO DEFEAT DONALD TRUMP. REACTION TONIGHT FROM TRUMP. REACTION TONIGHT FROM FORMER PRESIDENT REACTION TONIGHT FROM FORMER PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, WHO FORMER PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, WHO CALLED JOE BIDEN A BARACK OBAMA, WHO CALLED JOE BIDEN A PATRIOT OF THE HIGHEST CALLED JOE BIDEN A PATRIOT OF THE HIGHEST ORDER. PATRIOT OF THE HIGHEST ORDER. DESCRIBING THE ORDER. DESCRIBING THE DECISION AS A DESCRIBING THE DECISION AS A TESTAMENT TO JOE DECISION AS A TESTAMENT TO JOE BIDEN’S LOVE OF TESTAMENT TO JOE BIDEN’S LOVE OF COUNTRY. BIDEN’S LOVE OF COUNTRY. PRAISE FROM BILL AND COUNTRY. PRAISE FROM BILL AND HILLARY CLINTON FOR PRAISE FROM BILL AND HILLARY CLINTON FOR HIS EXTRAORDINARY HILLARY CLINTON FOR HIS EXTRAORDINARY CAREER OF SERVICE, HIS EXTRAORDINARY CAREER OF SERVICE, WHILE HIGHLIGHTING CAREER OF SERVICE, WHILE HIGHLIGHTING THEIR WORRY ABOUT THE WHILE HIGHLIGHTING THEIR WORRY ABOUT THE THREAT POSED BY A THEIR WORRY ABOUT THE THREAT POSED BY A SECOND TRUMP TERM. THREAT POSED BY A SECOND TRUMP TERM. AFTER A HALF CENTURY SECOND TRUMP TERM. AFTER A HALF CENTURY OF PUBLIC LIFE, HIS AFTER A HALF CENTURY OF PUBLIC LIFE, HIS POLITICAL BRAND WAS OF PUBLIC LIFE, HIS POLITICAL BRAND WAS FORGED BY BEING POLITICAL BRAND WAS FORGED BY BEING UNDERESTIMATED. FORGED BY BEING UNDERESTIMATED. >> I KNOW LIKE UNDERESTIMATED. >> I KNOW LIKE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS >> I KNOW LIKE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS KNOW, WHEN YOU GET MILLIONS OF AMERICANS KNOW, WHEN YOU GET KNOCKED DOWN, YOU GET KNOW, WHEN YOU GET KNOCKED DOWN, YOU GET BACK UP. KNOCKED DOWN, YOU GET BACK UP. >> Reporter: THE BACK UP. >> Reporter: THE PRESIDENT HAD TRIED TO >> Reporter: THE PRESIDENT HAD TRIED TO SAVE HIS SHOT AT A PRESIDENT HAD TRIED TO SAVE HIS SHOT AT A SECOND TERM. SAVE HIS SHOT AT A SECOND TERM. >> AND I WOULD NOT BE SECOND TERM. >> AND I WOULD NOT BE RUNNING AGAIN IF I >> AND I WOULD NOT BE RUNNING AGAIN IF I DIDN’T BELIEVE WITH RUNNING AGAIN IF I DIDN’T BELIEVE WITH ALL MY HEART AND SOUL DIDN’T BELIEVE WITH ALL MY HEART AND SOUL I CAN DO THIS JOB. ALL MY HEART AND SOUL I CAN DO THIS JOB. >> Reporter: BUT THAT I CAN DO THIS JOB. >> Reporter: BUT THAT DID NOT QUIET THE >> Reporter: BUT THAT DID NOT QUIET THE PRESSURE AFTER THAT DID NOT QUIET THE PRESSURE AFTER THAT JUNE DEBATE PRESSURE AFTER THAT JUNE DEBATE PERFORMANCE. JUNE DEBATE PERFORMANCE. >> LOOK, IF -- WE PERFORMANCE. >> LOOK, IF -- WE FINALLY BEAT MEDICARE. >> LOOK, IF -- WE FINALLY BEAT MEDICARE. >> Reporter: AN FINALLY BEAT MEDICARE. >> Reporter: AN EXTRAORDINARY RUPTURE >> Reporter: AN EXTRAORDINARY RUPTURE FOLLOWED, A COURSE OF EXTRAORDINARY RUPTURE FOLLOWED, A COURSE OF REJECTION THAT GREW FOLLOWED, A COURSE OF REJECTION THAT GREW LOUDER FOR WEEKS. REJECTION THAT GREW LOUDER FOR WEEKS. >> I THINK A NEW LOUDER FOR WEEKS. >> I THINK A NEW GENERATION -- IT’S >> I THINK A NEW GENERATION -- IT’S TIME FOR A NEW GENERATION -- IT’S TIME FOR A NEW GENERATION TO TRY TO TIME FOR A NEW GENERATION TO TRY TO HEAL THE PARTY AND GENERATION TO TRY TO HEAL THE PARTY AND HEAL THE COUNTRY. HEAL THE PARTY AND HEAL THE COUNTRY. >> THE PRESIDENT IS HEAL THE COUNTRY. >> THE PRESIDENT IS NOT CAPABLE OF >> THE PRESIDENT IS NOT CAPABLE OF DELIVERING THE MESSAGE NOT CAPABLE OF DELIVERING THE MESSAGE IN AN EFFECTIVE WAY. DELIVERING THE MESSAGE IN AN EFFECTIVE WAY. >> I DON’T THINK HE IN AN EFFECTIVE WAY. >> I DON’T THINK HE SHOULD STAY IN THE >> I DON’T THINK HE SHOULD STAY IN THE RACE. SHOULD STAY IN THE RACE. >> KELLY, WHAT COMES RACE. >> KELLY, WHAT COMES NEXT FOR THE >> KELLY, WHAT COMES NEXT FOR THE PRESIDENT? NEXT FOR THE PRESIDENT? >> Reporter: WELL, THE PRESIDENT? >> Reporter: WELL, THE PRESIDENT SAYS HE WILL >> Reporter: WELL, THE PRESIDENT SAYS HE WILL ADDRESS THE NATION PRESIDENT SAYS HE WILL ADDRESS THE NATION SOMETIME THIS WEEK, ADDRESS THE NATION SOMETIME THIS WEEK, AND AIDES SAY THAT IS SOMETIME THIS WEEK, AND AIDES SAY THAT IS DEPENDING ON HIS AND AIDES SAY THAT IS DEPENDING ON HIS RECOVERY FROM COVID. DEPENDING ON HIS RECOVERY FROM COVID. HE REMAINS AT HIS RECOVERY FROM COVID. HE REMAINS AT HIS DELAWARE BEACH HOUSE. HE REMAINS AT HIS DELAWARE BEACH HOUSE. THE VICE PRESIDENT HAS DELAWARE BEACH HOUSE. THE VICE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN AT HER OFFICIAL THE VICE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN AT HER OFFICIAL RESIDENCE IN BEEN AT HER OFFICIAL RESIDENCE IN WASHINGTON AND AIDES RESIDENCE IN WASHINGTON AND AIDES SAY SHE AND THE WASHINGTON AND AIDES SAY SHE AND THE PRESIDENT HAVE SPOKEN SAY SHE AND THE PRESIDENT HAVE SPOKEN MULTIPLE TIMES TODAY. PRESIDENT HAVE SPOKEN MULTIPLE TIMES TODAY. LETTER. MULTIPLE TIMES TODAY. LETTER. >> KELLY O’DONNELL LETTER. >> KELLY O’DONNELL STARTING US OFF. >> KELLY O’DONNELL STARTING US OFF. KRISTEN WELKER STARTING US OFF. KRISTEN WELKER MODERATOR OF "MEET THE KRISTEN WELKER MODERATOR OF "MEET THE PRESS" JOINS ME. MODERATOR OF "MEET THE PRESS" JOINS ME. ON FRIDAY THE PRESS" JOINS ME. ON FRIDAY THE PRESIDENT SAID ONCE ON FRIDAY THE PRESIDENT SAID ONCE HE’S OVER COVID HE PRESIDENT SAID ONCE HE’S OVER COVID HE WILL BE BACK ON THE HE’S OVER COVID HE WILL BE BACK ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL. WILL BE BACK ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL. WHAT CHANGED THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL. WHAT CHANGED THE CALCULUS? WHAT CHANGED THE CALCULUS? >> Reporter: THIS CALCULUS? >> Reporter: THIS MOMENT HAS BEEN >> Reporter: THIS MOMENT HAS BEEN BUILDING SINCE THE MOMENT HAS BEEN BUILDING SINCE THE DEBATE AND REACHED A BUILDING SINCE THE DEBATE AND REACHED A FEVER PITCH WHEN DEBATE AND REACHED A FEVER PITCH WHEN DEMOCRATIC LEADERS FEVER PITCH WHEN DEMOCRATIC LEADERS FROM NANCY PELOSI TO DEMOCRATIC LEADERS FROM NANCY PELOSI TO HAKEEM JEFFRIES, CHUCK FROM NANCY PELOSI TO HAKEEM JEFFRIES, CHUCK SCHUMER PRIVATELY TOLD HAKEEM JEFFRIES, CHUCK SCHUMER PRIVATELY TOLD PRESIDENT BIDEN THEY SCHUMER PRIVATELY TOLD PRESIDENT BIDEN THEY DIDN’T THINK HE COULD PRESIDENT BIDEN THEY DIDN’T THINK HE COULD BEAT DONALD TRUMP AND DIDN’T THINK HE COULD BEAT DONALD TRUMP AND DO JEOPARDIZE BEAT DONALD TRUMP AND DO JEOPARDIZE DEMOCRATS’ CHANCES AT DO JEOPARDIZE DEMOCRATS’ CHANCES AT HOLDING ON TO THE DEMOCRATS’ CHANCES AT HOLDING ON TO THE SENATE AND TAKING BACK HOLDING ON TO THE SENATE AND TAKING BACK THE HOUSE. SENATE AND TAKING BACK THE HOUSE. ABOUT YOU IT WENT THE HOUSE. ABOUT YOU IT WENT BEYOND DEMOCRATIC ABOUT YOU IT WENT BEYOND DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP, PEOPLE WHO BEYOND DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP, PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT JOE BIDEN WERE LEADERSHIP, PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT JOE BIDEN WERE PROTESTING OUTSIDE OF SUPPORT JOE BIDEN WERE PROTESTING OUTSIDE OF THE WHITE HOUSE PROTESTING OUTSIDE OF THE WHITE HOUSE CALLING ON HIM TO PASS THE WHITE HOUSE CALLING ON HIM TO PASS THE TORCH. CALLING ON HIM TO PASS THE TORCH. ULTIMATELY THE THE TORCH. ULTIMATELY THE PRESSURE BECAME TOO ULTIMATELY THE PRESSURE BECAME TOO GREAT. PRESSURE BECAME TOO GREAT. >> AS HE THROWS HIS GREAT. >> AS HE THROWS HIS BACKING TO THE VICE >> AS HE THROWS HIS BACKING TO THE VICE PRESIDENT HOW BACKING TO THE VICE PRESIDENT HOW COMPETITIVE IS SHE? PRESIDENT HOW COMPETITIVE IS SHE? WHAT DATA DO WE HAVE? COMPETITIVE IS SHE? WHAT DATA DO WE HAVE? >> LETTER, VICE WHAT DATA DO WE HAVE? >> LETTER, VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS >> LETTER, VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS MATCHES UP AGAINST PRESIDENT HARRIS MATCHES UP AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP MATCHES UP AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP VERY SIMILARLY TO FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP VERY SIMILARLY TO PRESIDENT BIDEN. VERY SIMILARLY TO PRESIDENT BIDEN. IN OUR MOST RECENT NBC PRESIDENT BIDEN. IN OUR MOST RECENT NBC NEWS POLL MR. TRUMP IN OUR MOST RECENT NBC NEWS POLL MR. TRUMP LEADS MR. BIDEN 45 TO NEWS POLL MR. TRUMP LEADS MR. BIDEN 45 TO 43, WHILE TRUMP LEADS LEADS MR. BIDEN 45 TO 43, WHILE TRUMP LEADS VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS 43, WHILE TRUMP LEADS VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS 47 TO 45. VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS 47 TO 45. THE BIG QUESTION IS 47 TO 45. THE BIG QUESTION IS HOW DUDS SHE FAIR IN THE BIG QUESTION IS HOW DUDS SHE FAIR IN BUT WALL STATES, HOW DUDS SHE FAIR IN BUT WALL STATES, MICHIGAN, WISCONSIN, BUT WALL STATES, MICHIGAN, WISCONSIN, PENNSYLVANIA? MICHIGAN, WISCONSIN, PENNSYLVANIA? DOES SHE PUT STATES PENNSYLVANIA? DOES SHE PUT STATES LIKE GEORGIA BACK IN DOES SHE PUT STATES LIKE GEORGIA BACK IN PLAY? LIKE GEORGIA BACK IN PLAY? BOTTOM LINE, I’VE BEEN PLAY? BOTTOM LINE, I’VE BEEN TALKING TO DEMOCRATS BOTTOM LINE, I’VE BEEN TALKING TO DEMOCRATS WHO FEEL LIKE ONCE SHE TALKING TO DEMOCRATS WHO FEEL LIKE ONCE SHE REINTRODUCES HERSELF WHO FEEL LIKE ONCE SHE REINTRODUCES HERSELF TO THE AMERICAN REINTRODUCES HERSELF TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC, THEY EXPECT TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC, THEY EXPECT HER POLL NUMBERS TO GO PUBLIC, THEY EXPECT HER POLL NUMBERS TO GO UP. HER POLL NUMBERS TO GO UP. >> KRISTEN WELKER, UP. >> KRISTEN WELKER, THANK YOU. >> KRISTEN WELKER, THANK YOU. WE’RE HEARING FROM THANK YOU. WE’RE HEARING FROM VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS WE’RE HEARING FROM VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS TONIGHT THANKING JOE VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS TONIGHT THANKING JOE BIDEN FOR HIS TONIGHT THANKING JOE BIDEN FOR HIS ENDORSEMENT BUT THE BIDEN FOR HIS ENDORSEMENT BUT THE QUESTION REMAINS WILL ENDORSEMENT BUT THE QUESTION REMAINS WILL SHE GET THE FULL QUESTION REMAINS WILL SHE GET THE FULL BACKING OF DEMOCRATS. SHE GET THE FULL BACKING OF DEMOCRATS. HERE IS HALLIE BACKING OF DEMOCRATS. HERE IS HALLIE JACKSON. HERE IS HALLIE JACKSON. >> Reporter: THE JACKSON. >> Reporter: THE SPOTLIGHT TONIGHT >> Reporter: THE SPOTLIGHT TONIGHT TURNING TO VICE SPOTLIGHT TONIGHT TURNING TO VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA TURNING TO VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS, ONE OF PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS, ONE OF PRESIDENT BIDEN’S MOST HARRIS, ONE OF PRESIDENT BIDEN’S MOST VOCAL BACKERS SINCE PRESIDENT BIDEN’S MOST VOCAL BACKERS SINCE THAT DEBATE WIDELY VOCAL BACKERS SINCE THAT DEBATE WIDELY PANNED AS DISASTROUS. THAT DEBATE WIDELY PANNED AS DISASTROUS. >> IT WAS A SLOW PANNED AS DISASTROUS. >> IT WAS A SLOW START. >> IT WAS A SLOW START. THERE IS NO QUESTION START. THERE IS NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT. THERE IS NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT. BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS A ABOUT THAT. BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS A STRONG FINISH. BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS A STRONG FINISH. WE ARE LOOKING AT A STRONG FINISH. WE ARE LOOKING AT A PRESIDENT IN JOE BIDEN WE ARE LOOKING AT A PRESIDENT IN JOE BIDEN WHO HAS DONE HISTORIC PRESIDENT IN JOE BIDEN WHO HAS DONE HISTORIC WORK. WHO HAS DONE HISTORIC WORK. >> Reporter: NOW THE WORK. >> Reporter: NOW THE PRESIDENT’S >> Reporter: NOW THE PRESIDENT’S ENDORSEMENT OF HARRIS PRESIDENT’S ENDORSEMENT OF HARRIS PUTS HER IN A POLE ENDORSEMENT OF HARRIS PUTS HER IN A POLE POSITION TO TAKE THE PUTS HER IN A POLE POSITION TO TAKE THE TOP OF THE TICKET. POSITION TO TAKE THE TOP OF THE TICKET. HARRIS IN A STATEMENT TOP OF THE TICKET. HARRIS IN A STATEMENT TODAY SAYING IN PART I HARRIS IN A STATEMENT TODAY SAYING IN PART I AM HONORED TO HAVE THE TODAY SAYING IN PART I AM HONORED TO HAVE THE PRESIDENT’S AM HONORED TO HAVE THE PRESIDENT’S ENDORSEMENT AND MY PRESIDENT’S ENDORSEMENT AND MY INTENTION IS TO EARN ENDORSEMENT AND MY INTENTION IS TO EARN AND WIN THIS INTENTION IS TO EARN AND WIN THIS NOMINATION. AND WIN THIS NOMINATION. ADDING, WE HAVE 107 NOMINATION. ADDING, WE HAVE 107 DAYS UNTIL ELECTION ADDING, WE HAVE 107 DAYS UNTIL ELECTION DAY. DAYS UNTIL ELECTION DAY. TOGETHER WE WILL FIGHT DAY. TOGETHER WE WILL FIGHT AND TOGETHER WE WILL TOGETHER WE WILL FIGHT AND TOGETHER WE WILL WIN. AND TOGETHER WE WILL WIN. IN RECENT DAYS SOME OF WIN. IN RECENT DAYS SOME OF THE PRESIDENT’S KEY IN RECENT DAYS SOME OF THE PRESIDENT’S KEY ALLIES HAVE SIGNALED THE PRESIDENT’S KEY ALLIES HAVE SIGNALED IF HE WERE TO STEP ALLIES HAVE SIGNALED IF HE WERE TO STEP ASIDE IT IS HARRIS WHO IF HE WERE TO STEP ASIDE IT IS HARRIS WHO SHOULD GET DEMOCRATS’ ASIDE IT IS HARRIS WHO SHOULD GET DEMOCRATS’ SUPPORT. SHOULD GET DEMOCRATS’ SUPPORT. >> THIS PARTY SHOULD SUPPORT. >> THIS PARTY SHOULD NOT IN ANY WAY DO >> THIS PARTY SHOULD NOT IN ANY WAY DO ANYTHING TO WORK NOT IN ANY WAY DO ANYTHING TO WORK AROUND MS. HARRIS. ANYTHING TO WORK AROUND MS. HARRIS. >> Reporter: AROUND MS. HARRIS. >> Reporter: CONGRESSMAN JIM >> Reporter: CONGRESSMAN JIM CLYBURN TODAY PUBLICLY CONGRESSMAN JIM CLYBURN TODAY PUBLICLY BACKING HARRIS WITH CLYBURN TODAY PUBLICLY BACKING HARRIS WITH OTHER DEMOCRATS BACKING HARRIS WITH OTHER DEMOCRATS FOLLOWING SUIT. OTHER DEMOCRATS FOLLOWING SUIT. THE EXCEPTION, THE FOLLOWING SUIT. THE EXCEPTION, THE PARTY’S TOP LEADERS IN THE EXCEPTION, THE PARTY’S TOP LEADERS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE, PARTY’S TOP LEADERS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE, STOPPING SHORT OF AN THE HOUSE AND SENATE, STOPPING SHORT OF AN ENDORSEMENT, BUT STOPPING SHORT OF AN ENDORSEMENT, BUT PRAISING THE PRESIDENT ENDORSEMENT, BUT PRAISING THE PRESIDENT FOR HIS SERVICE. PRAISING THE PRESIDENT FOR HIS SERVICE. WHETHER IT’S HARRIS AT FOR HIS SERVICE. WHETHER IT’S HARRIS AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET WHETHER IT’S HARRIS AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET OR NOT, OTHER THE TOP OF THE TICKET OR NOT, OTHER DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN OR NOT, OTHER DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN SPECULATED TO BE IN DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN SPECULATED TO BE IN THE MIX, PERHAPS AS A SPECULATED TO BE IN THE MIX, PERHAPS AS A RUNNING MATE, THE MIX, PERHAPS AS A RUNNING MATE, INCLUDING CALIFORNIA RUNNING MATE, INCLUDING CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM. INCLUDING CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM. >> PRESIDENT BIDEN GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM. >> PRESIDENT BIDEN DOESN’T RUN WHY >> PRESIDENT BIDEN DOESN’T RUN WHY SHOULDN’T WE CONSIDER DOESN’T RUN WHY SHOULDN’T WE CONSIDER YOU A LIKELY SHOULDN’T WE CONSIDER YOU A LIKELY CANDIDATE? YOU A LIKELY CANDIDATE? >> I THINK THE VICE CANDIDATE? >> I THINK THE VICE PRESIDENT IS NATURALLY >> I THINK THE VICE PRESIDENT IS NATURALLY THE ONE LINED UP. PRESIDENT IS NATURALLY THE ONE LINED UP. >> Reporter: THE ONE LINED UP. >> Reporter: PENNSYLVANIA’S JOSH >> Reporter: PENNSYLVANIA’S JOSH SHAPIRO, MICHIGAN’S PENNSYLVANIA’S JOSH SHAPIRO, MICHIGAN’S GRETCHEN WHITMER, SHAPIRO, MICHIGAN’S GRETCHEN WHITMER, KENTUCKY’S ANDY GRETCHEN WHITMER, KENTUCKY’S ANDY BESHEAR AND KENTUCKY’S ANDY BESHEAR AND TRANSPORTATION BESHEAR AND TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY PETE TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG. SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG. HARRIS, A FORMER BUTTIGIEG. HARRIS, A FORMER PROSECUTOR WHO ROSE TO HARRIS, A FORMER PROSECUTOR WHO ROSE TO BECOME CALIFORNIA’S PROSECUTOR WHO ROSE TO BECOME CALIFORNIA’S ATTORNEY GENERAL, WAS BECOME CALIFORNIA’S ATTORNEY GENERAL, WAS ELECTED TO THE SENATE ATTORNEY GENERAL, WAS ELECTED TO THE SENATE IN 2016 AND RAN FOR ELECTED TO THE SENATE IN 2016 AND RAN FOR THE WHITE HOUSE THREE IN 2016 AND RAN FOR THE WHITE HOUSE THREE YEARS LATER. THE WHITE HOUSE THREE YEARS LATER. >> I LOVE MY COUNTRY. YEARS LATER. >> I LOVE MY COUNTRY. AND I FEEL A SENSE OF >> I LOVE MY COUNTRY. AND I FEEL A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY TO AND I FEEL A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY TO STAND UP AND FIGHT FOR RESPONSIBILITY TO STAND UP AND FIGHT FOR THE BEST OF WHO WE STAND UP AND FIGHT FOR THE BEST OF WHO WE ARE. THE BEST OF WHO WE ARE. >> Reporter: AFTER ARE. >> Reporter: AFTER BEING SELECTED AS >> Reporter: AFTER BEING SELECTED AS PRESIDENT BIDEN’S BEING SELECTED AS PRESIDENT BIDEN’S RUNNING MATE SHE WAS PRESIDENT BIDEN’S RUNNING MATE SHE WAS TAPPED BY THE WHITE RUNNING MATE SHE WAS TAPPED BY THE WHITE HOUSE TO LEAD THE TAPPED BY THE WHITE HOUSE TO LEAD THE ADMINISTRATION’S HOUSE TO LEAD THE ADMINISTRATION’S RESPONSE ON CRITICAL ADMINISTRATION’S RESPONSE ON CRITICAL ISSUES LIKE THE ROOT RESPONSE ON CRITICAL ISSUES LIKE THE ROOT CAUSES OF THE ISSUES LIKE THE ROOT CAUSES OF THE IMMIGRATION CRISIS. CAUSES OF THE IMMIGRATION CRISIS. COMING UNDER FIRE FROM IMMIGRATION CRISIS. COMING UNDER FIRE FROM REPUBLICANS FOR THE COMING UNDER FIRE FROM REPUBLICANS FOR THE WHITE HOUSE’S HANDLING REPUBLICANS FOR THE WHITE HOUSE’S HANDLING OF THE BORDER AND WHITE HOUSE’S HANDLING OF THE BORDER AND PRESSED BY LESTER ON OF THE BORDER AND PRESSED BY LESTER ON THE TOPIC IN 2021. PRESSED BY LESTER ON THE TOPIC IN 2021. >> WE’VE BEEN TO THE THE TOPIC IN 2021. >> WE’VE BEEN TO THE BORDER. >> WE’VE BEEN TO THE BORDER. WE’VE BEEN TO THE BORDER. WE’VE BEEN TO THE BORDER. WE’VE BEEN TO THE BORDER. >> YOU HAVEN’T BEEN TO BORDER. >> YOU HAVEN’T BEEN TO THE BORDER. >> YOU HAVEN’T BEEN TO THE BORDER. >> AND I HAVEN’T BEEN THE BORDER. >> AND I HAVEN’T BEEN TO EUROPE. >> AND I HAVEN’T BEEN TO EUROPE. I MEAN, I DON’T -- I TO EUROPE. I MEAN, I DON’T -- I DON’T UNDERSTAND THE I MEAN, I DON’T -- I DON’T UNDERSTAND THE POINT THAT YOU’RE DON’T UNDERSTAND THE POINT THAT YOU’RE MAKING. POINT THAT YOU’RE MAKING. I’M NOT DISCOUNTING MAKING. I’M NOT DISCOUNTING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE I’M NOT DISCOUNTING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BORDER. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BORDER. >> Reporter: HARRIS BORDER. >> Reporter: HARRIS HAS TAKEN ON A VOCAL >> Reporter: HARRIS HAS TAKEN ON A VOCAL ROLE ADVOCATING FOR HAS TAKEN ON A VOCAL ROLE ADVOCATING FOR ABORTION ACCESS, ROLE ADVOCATING FOR ABORTION ACCESS, SLAMMING THE GOP FOR ABORTION ACCESS, SLAMMING THE GOP FOR ITS POSITION ON SLAMMING THE GOP FOR ITS POSITION ON REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS. ITS POSITION ON REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS. >> HOW DARE THEY TELL REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS. >> HOW DARE THEY TELL A WOMAN WHAT SHE CAN >> HOW DARE THEY TELL A WOMAN WHAT SHE CAN DO AND CANNOT DO WITH A WOMAN WHAT SHE CAN DO AND CANNOT DO WITH HER OWN BODY. DO AND CANNOT DO WITH HER OWN BODY. HOW DARE THEY. HER OWN BODY. HOW DARE THEY. >> Reporter: NOW A HOW DARE THEY. >> Reporter: NOW A PIVOTAL POLITICAL >> Reporter: NOW A PIVOTAL POLITICAL MOMENT FOR HARRIS AND PIVOTAL POLITICAL MOMENT FOR HARRIS AND THE NATION. MOMENT FOR HARRIS AND THE NATION. >> AS WE MENTIONED, THE NATION. >> AS WE MENTIONED, TIME IS SHORT. >> AS WE MENTIONED, TIME IS SHORT. VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS TIME IS SHORT. VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS IS ALREADY TURNING TO VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS IS ALREADY TURNING TO FUNDRAISING TO SHORE IS ALREADY TURNING TO FUNDRAISING TO SHORE UP SUPPORT. FUNDRAISING TO SHORE UP SUPPORT. >> Reporter: THAT’S UP SUPPORT. >> Reporter: THAT’S RIGHT, LESTER. >> Reporter: THAT’S RIGHT, LESTER. LATE TONIGHT POSTING A RIGHT, LESTER. LATE TONIGHT POSTING A LINK ON LINE FOR LATE TONIGHT POSTING A LINK ON LINE FOR PEOPLE TO DONATE, LINK ON LINE FOR PEOPLE TO DONATE, SAYING SHE WILL DO PEOPLE TO DONATE, SAYING SHE WILL DO EVERYTHING IN HER SAYING SHE WILL DO EVERYTHING IN HER POWER TO BRING THE EVERYTHING IN HER POWER TO BRING THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY POWER TO BRING THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY TOGETHER. DEMOCRATIC PARTY TOGETHER. A CLEAR INDICATION OF TOGETHER. A CLEAR INDICATION OF HER INTENTION FROM NOW A CLEAR INDICATION OF HER INTENTION FROM NOW UNTIL ELECTION DAY, HER INTENTION FROM NOW UNTIL ELECTION DAY, LESSER UNTIL ELECTION DAY, LESSER >> HALLIE JACKSON, LESSER >> HALLIE JACKSON, THANK YOU. >> HALLIE JACKSON, THANK YOU. >>> FORMER PRESIDENT THANK YOU. >>> FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ALREADY >>> FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ALREADY SEIZING ON PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ALREADY SEIZING ON PRESIDENT BIDEN’S DECISION, WITH SEIZING ON PRESIDENT BIDEN’S DECISION, WITH THAT HERE IS GARRETT BIDEN’S DECISION, WITH THAT HERE IS GARRETT HAAKE. THAT HERE IS GARRETT HAAKE. >> Reporter: FORMER HAAKE. >> Reporter: FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP >> Reporter: FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP TONIGHT MOCKING HIS PRESIDENT TRUMP TONIGHT MOCKING HIS NOW FORMER OPPONENT IN TONIGHT MOCKING HIS NOW FORMER OPPONENT IN THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE. NOW FORMER OPPONENT IN THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE. TELLING ME IN A PHONE THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE. TELLING ME IN A PHONE INTERVIEW, QUOTE, JOE TELLING ME IN A PHONE INTERVIEW, QUOTE, JOE BIDEN IS THE WORST INTERVIEW, QUOTE, JOE BIDEN IS THE WORST PRESIDENT IN THE BIDEN IS THE WORST PRESIDENT IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED PRESIDENT IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES BY FAR. HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES BY FAR. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A STATES BY FAR. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A PRESIDENT WHO HAS DONE THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A PRESIDENT WHO HAS DONE SUCH DAMAGE TO OUR PRESIDENT WHO HAS DONE SUCH DAMAGE TO OUR COUNTRY. SUCH DAMAGE TO OUR COUNTRY. MR. TRUMP SAYING, COUNTRY. MR. TRUMP SAYING, QUOTE, WE WILL FIX MR. TRUMP SAYING, QUOTE, WE WILL FIX WHAT HE HAS DONE. QUOTE, WE WILL FIX WHAT HE HAS DONE. WHEN I ASKED IF HE WAS WHAT HE HAS DONE. WHEN I ASKED IF HE WAS SURPRISED BY THE WHEN I ASKED IF HE WAS SURPRISED BY THE PRESIDENT’S SURPRISED BY THE PRESIDENT’S ANNOUNCEMENT, MR. PRESIDENT’S ANNOUNCEMENT, MR. TRUMP RESPONDING, ANNOUNCEMENT, MR. TRUMP RESPONDING, QUOTE, HE SHOULD HAVE TRUMP RESPONDING, QUOTE, HE SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN THERE IN QUOTE, HE SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE. NEVER BEEN THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE. HE SHOULD HAVE STAYED THE FIRST PLACE. HE SHOULD HAVE STAYED IN HIS BASEMENT. HE SHOULD HAVE STAYED IN HIS BASEMENT. THE FORMER PRESIDENT’S IN HIS BASEMENT. THE FORMER PRESIDENT’S CAMPAIGN HAD ALREADY THE FORMER PRESIDENT’S CAMPAIGN HAD ALREADY RAMPED UP ITS ATTACKS CAMPAIGN HAD ALREADY RAMPED UP ITS ATTACKS ON VICE PRESIDENT RAMPED UP ITS ATTACKS ON VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS IN RECENT ON VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS IN RECENT WEEKS, INCLUDING LAST HARRIS IN RECENT WEEKS, INCLUDING LAST NIGHT IN GRAND RAPIDS, WEEKS, INCLUDING LAST NIGHT IN GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN. NIGHT IN GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN. >> I CALL HER LAUGHING MICHIGAN. >> I CALL HER LAUGHING KAMALA. >> I CALL HER LAUGHING KAMALA. DO YOU EVER WATCH HER KAMALA. DO YOU EVER WATCH HER LAUGH? DO YOU EVER WATCH HER LAUGH? SHE’S CRAZY. LAUGH? SHE’S CRAZY. >> Reporter: THE SHE’S CRAZY. >> Reporter: THE FORMER PRESIDENT >> Reporter: THE FORMER PRESIDENT POLLING THE CROWD FORMER PRESIDENT POLLING THE CROWD ABOUT POSSIBLE POLLING THE CROWD ABOUT POSSIBLE DEMOCRATIC OPPONENTS. ABOUT POSSIBLE DEMOCRATIC OPPONENTS. >> SO WHO WOULD YOU DEMOCRATIC OPPONENTS. >> SO WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO MOST RUN >> SO WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO MOST RUN AGAINST -- IF YOU ARE LIKE TO MOST RUN AGAINST -- IF YOU ARE US? AGAINST -- IF YOU ARE US? IF WE WANT TO WIN? US? IF WE WANT TO WIN? READY? IF WE WANT TO WIN? READY? KAMALA HARRIS? READY? KAMALA HARRIS? >> BOO. KAMALA HARRIS? >> BOO. >> CROOKED JOE BIDEN. >> BOO. >> CROOKED JOE BIDEN. >> Reporter: MR. TRUMP >> CROOKED JOE BIDEN. >> Reporter: MR. TRUMP MENTIONING THE >> Reporter: MR. TRUMP MENTIONING THE PRESIDENT BY NAME JUST MENTIONING THE PRESIDENT BY NAME JUST ONCE IN HIS PRESIDENT BY NAME JUST ONCE IN HIS RECORD-BREAKING ONCE IN HIS RECORD-BREAKING 92-MINUTE CONVENTION RECORD-BREAKING 92-MINUTE CONVENTION SPEECH THURSDAY. 92-MINUTE CONVENTION SPEECH THURSDAY. >> IF YOU TOOK THE TEN SPEECH THURSDAY. >> IF YOU TOOK THE TEN WORST PRESIDENTS IN >> IF YOU TOOK THE TEN WORST PRESIDENTS IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORST PRESIDENTS IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES, THINK THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES, THINK OF IT, THE TEN WORST, UNITED STATES, THINK OF IT, THE TEN WORST, ADDED THEM UP, THEY OF IT, THE TEN WORST, ADDED THEM UP, THEY WILL NOT HAVE DONE THE ADDED THEM UP, THEY WILL NOT HAVE DONE THE DAMAGE THAT BIDEN HAS WILL NOT HAVE DONE THE DAMAGE THAT BIDEN HAS DONE. DAMAGE THAT BIDEN HAS DONE. ONLY GOING TO USE THE DONE. ONLY GOING TO USE THE TERM ONCE. ONLY GOING TO USE THE TERM ONCE. BIDEN. TERM ONCE. BIDEN. I’M NOT GOING TO USE BIDEN. I’M NOT GOING TO USE THE NAME ANYMORE, JUST I’M NOT GOING TO USE THE NAME ANYMORE, JUST ONE TIME. THE NAME ANYMORE, JUST ONE TIME. >> Reporter: TONIGHT ONE TIME. >> Reporter: TONIGHT MR. TRUMP’S RUNNING >> Reporter: TONIGHT MR. TRUMP’S RUNNING MATE J.D. VANCE USING MR. TRUMP’S RUNNING MATE J.D. VANCE USING A SOCIAL MEDIA POST TO MATE J.D. VANCE USING A SOCIAL MEDIA POST TO QUESTION PRESIDENT A SOCIAL MEDIA POST TO QUESTION PRESIDENT BIDEN’S FITNESS TO QUESTION PRESIDENT BIDEN’S FITNESS TO REMAIN IN THE OVAL BIDEN’S FITNESS TO REMAIN IN THE OVAL OFFICE. REMAIN IN THE OVAL OFFICE. QUOTE, IF JOE BIDEN OFFICE. QUOTE, IF JOE BIDEN ENDS HIS REELECTION QUOTE, IF JOE BIDEN ENDS HIS REELECTION CAMPAIGN, HOW CAN HE ENDS HIS REELECTION CAMPAIGN, HOW CAN HE JUSTIFY REMAINING CAMPAIGN, HOW CAN HE JUSTIFY REMAINING PRESIDENT? JUSTIFY REMAINING PRESIDENT? NOT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT? NOT RUNNING FOR REELECTION WOULD BE A NOT RUNNING FOR REELECTION WOULD BE A CLEAR ADMISSION THAT REELECTION WOULD BE A CLEAR ADMISSION THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS CLEAR ADMISSION THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS RIGHT ALL ALONG ABOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS RIGHT ALL ALONG ABOUT BIDEN NOT BEING RIGHT ALL ALONG ABOUT BIDEN NOT BEING MENTALLY FIT ENOUGH TO BIDEN NOT BEING MENTALLY FIT ENOUGH TO SERVE AS COMMANDER IN MENTALLY FIT ENOUGH TO SERVE AS COMMANDER IN CHIEF. SERVE AS COMMANDER IN CHIEF. GARRETT HAAKE, NBC CHIEF. GARRETT HAAKE, NBC NEWS, WASHINGTON. GARRETT HAAKE, NBC NEWS, WASHINGTON. >>> PRESIDENT BIDEN’S NEWS, WASHINGTON. >>> PRESIDENT BIDEN’S ANNOUNCEMENT WILL HAVE >>> PRESIDENT BIDEN’S ANNOUNCEMENT WILL HAVE A MASSIVE IMPACT ON ANNOUNCEMENT WILL HAVE A MASSIVE IMPACT ON THE ELECTION, BUT IT A MASSIVE IMPACT ON THE ELECTION, BUT IT ALSO WILL MARK THIS THE ELECTION, BUT IT ALSO WILL MARK THIS TERM AS THE FINAL ALSO WILL MARK THIS TERM AS THE FINAL CHAPTER IN A STORIED TERM AS THE FINAL CHAPTER IN A STORIED POLITICAL CAREER. CHAPTER IN A STORIED POLITICAL CAREER. TONIGHT PRESIDENT POLITICAL CAREER. TONIGHT PRESIDENT BIDEN’S DECISION TO TONIGHT PRESIDENT BIDEN’S DECISION TO DROP HIS BID FOR BIDEN’S DECISION TO DROP HIS BID FOR REELECTION, A STUNNING DROP HIS BID FOR REELECTION, A STUNNING AND ABRUPT END TO A REELECTION, A STUNNING AND ABRUPT END TO A FIVE-DECADE-LONG AND ABRUPT END TO A FIVE-DECADE-LONG POLITICAL CAREER. FIVE-DECADE-LONG POLITICAL CAREER. THE PRESIDENT STEPPING POLITICAL CAREER. THE PRESIDENT STEPPING ASIDE UNDER IMMENSE THE PRESIDENT STEPPING ASIDE UNDER IMMENSE PRESSURE FROM FELLOW ASIDE UNDER IMMENSE PRESSURE FROM FELLOW DEMOCRATS WHO FEARED PRESSURE FROM FELLOW DEMOCRATS WHO FEARED HE COULD NOT REPEAT DEMOCRATS WHO FEARED HE COULD NOT REPEAT HIS PERFORMANCE OF HE COULD NOT REPEAT HIS PERFORMANCE OF FOUR YEARS AGO WHEN HE HIS PERFORMANCE OF FOUR YEARS AGO WHEN HE NARROWLY DEFEATED FOUR YEARS AGO WHEN HE NARROWLY DEFEATED FORMER PRESIDENT NARROWLY DEFEATED FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP. FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP. >> SO HELP ME GOD. TRUMP. >> SO HELP ME GOD. >> HE HAD WAITED >> SO HELP ME GOD. >> HE HAD WAITED LONGER THAN ANY OTHER >> HE HAD WAITED LONGER THAN ANY OTHER COMMANDER IN CHIEF TO LONGER THAN ANY OTHER COMMANDER IN CHIEF TO ACHIEVE HIS LIFELONG COMMANDER IN CHIEF TO ACHIEVE HIS LIFELONG AMBITION, ELECTED TO ACHIEVE HIS LIFELONG AMBITION, ELECTED TO THE SENATE AT AGE 29, AMBITION, ELECTED TO THE SENATE AT AGE 29, IN 1973. THE SENATE AT AGE 29, IN 1973. WEEKS LATER, A TRAGIC IN 1973. WEEKS LATER, A TRAGIC CAR ACCIDENT. WEEKS LATER, A TRAGIC CAR ACCIDENT. >> MY WIFE AND THREE CAR ACCIDENT. >> MY WIFE AND THREE CHILDREN WERE >> MY WIFE AND THREE CHILDREN WERE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING, A CHILDREN WERE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING, A TRACTOR-TRAILER CHRISTMAS SHOPPING, A TRACTOR-TRAILER BROADSIDED THEM AND TRACTOR-TRAILER BROADSIDED THEM AND KILLED MY WIFE AND BROADSIDED THEM AND KILLED MY WIFE AND KILLED MY DAUGHTER. KILLED MY WIFE AND KILLED MY DAUGHTER. >> Reporter: HE LED KILLED MY DAUGHTER. >> Reporter: HE LED THE CONTROVERSIAL >> Reporter: HE LED THE CONTROVERSIAL CONFIRMATION HEARINGS THE CONTROVERSIAL CONFIRMATION HEARINGS OF CLARENCE THOMAS, CONFIRMATION HEARINGS OF CLARENCE THOMAS, FEATURING SEXUAL OF CLARENCE THOMAS, FEATURING SEXUAL HARASSMENT ALLEGATIONS FEATURING SEXUAL HARASSMENT ALLEGATIONS FROM ANITA HILL. HARASSMENT ALLEGATIONS FROM ANITA HILL. >> IS THIS WHAT YOU FROM ANITA HILL. >> IS THIS WHAT YOU ANTICIPATED? >> IS THIS WHAT YOU ANTICIPATED? >> THIS, NO. ANTICIPATED? >> THIS, NO. NOT AT ALL. >> THIS, NO. NOT AT ALL. >> Reporter: AND AS NOT AT ALL. >> Reporter: AND AS SENATOR HE HELPED PASS >> Reporter: AND AS SENATOR HE HELPED PASS THE LANDMARK VIOLENCE SENATOR HE HELPED PASS THE LANDMARK VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT IN THE LANDMARK VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT IN 2008 THEN CANDIDATE AGAINST WOMEN ACT IN 2008 THEN CANDIDATE BARACK OBAMA TAPPED 2008 THEN CANDIDATE BARACK OBAMA TAPPED HIM TO BE HIS RUNNING BARACK OBAMA TAPPED HIM TO BE HIS RUNNING MATE. HIM TO BE HIS RUNNING MATE. LATER VICE PRESIDENT MATE. LATER VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN FAMOUSLY CAUGHT LATER VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN FAMOUSLY CAUGHT ON A HOT MIC BIDEN FAMOUSLY CAUGHT ON A HOT MIC CELEBRATING THE ON A HOT MIC CELEBRATING THE PASSAGE OF THE CELEBRATING THE PASSAGE OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. PASSAGE OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. HE ALSO PUSHED AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. HE ALSO PUSHED PRESIDENT OBAMA TO HE ALSO PUSHED PRESIDENT OBAMA TO SUPPORT SAME-SEX PRESIDENT OBAMA TO SUPPORT SAME-SEX MIRROR AGE BY PUBLICLY SUPPORT SAME-SEX MIRROR AGE BY PUBLICLY DECLARING HIS SUPPORT MIRROR AGE BY PUBLICLY DECLARING HIS SUPPORT FOR IT FIRST. DECLARING HIS SUPPORT FOR IT FIRST. >> I AM ABSOLUTELY FOR IT FIRST. >> I AM ABSOLUTELY COMFORTABLE WITH THE >> I AM ABSOLUTELY COMFORTABLE WITH THE FACT THAT MEN MARRYING COMFORTABLE WITH THE FACT THAT MEN MARRYING MEN, WOMEN MARRYING FACT THAT MEN MARRYING MEN, WOMEN MARRYING WOMEN AND HETEROSEXUAL MEN, WOMEN MARRYING WOMEN AND HETEROSEXUAL MEN ARE ENTITLED THE WOMEN AND HETEROSEXUAL MEN ARE ENTITLED THE SAME EXACT RIGHTS. MEN ARE ENTITLED THE SAME EXACT RIGHTS. >> Reporter: AFTER HIS SAME EXACT RIGHTS. >> Reporter: AFTER HIS SON BEAU DIED OF BRAIN >> Reporter: AFTER HIS SON BEAU DIED OF BRAIN CANCER, JOE BIDEN SAID SON BEAU DIED OF BRAIN CANCER, JOE BIDEN SAID HE DIDN’T THINK ABOUT CANCER, JOE BIDEN SAID HE DIDN’T THINK ABOUT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT HE DIDN’T THINK ABOUT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT AGAIN IN 2020, UNTIL RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT AGAIN IN 2020, UNTIL HE SAW DONALD TRUMP AGAIN IN 2020, UNTIL HE SAW DONALD TRUMP ENTER THE RACE. HE SAW DONALD TRUMP ENTER THE RACE. >> WE’RE IN A BATTLE ENTER THE RACE. >> WE’RE IN A BATTLE FOR THE SOUL OF THIS >> WE’RE IN A BATTLE FOR THE SOUL OF THIS NATION. FOR THE SOUL OF THIS NATION. >> Reporter: THAT NATION. >> Reporter: THAT JANUARY HE TOLD ME HE >> Reporter: THAT JANUARY HE TOLD ME HE HAD THE EXPERIENCE TO JANUARY HE TOLD ME HE HAD THE EXPERIENCE TO UNITE THE COUNTRY. HAD THE EXPERIENCE TO UNITE THE COUNTRY. >> THE NEXT PRESIDENT UNITE THE COUNTRY. >> THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES >> THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES IS GOING TO INHERIT A OF THE UNITED STATES IS GOING TO INHERIT A DIVIDED COUNTRY AND A IS GOING TO INHERIT A DIVIDED COUNTRY AND A WORLD IN DISARRAY AND DIVIDED COUNTRY AND A WORLD IN DISARRAY AND THE QUESTION IS WHO IS WORLD IN DISARRAY AND THE QUESTION IS WHO IS BEST PREPARED AT THIS THE QUESTION IS WHO IS BEST PREPARED AT THIS MOMENT TO BE ABLE TO BEST PREPARED AT THIS MOMENT TO BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH BOTH OF MOMENT TO BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH BOTH OF THOSE CRISES. DEAL WITH BOTH OF THOSE CRISES. >> THAT SEEMS LIKE A THOSE CRISES. >> THAT SEEMS LIKE A BOLD STATEMENT FROM >> THAT SEEMS LIKE A BOLD STATEMENT FROM ANY POLITICIAN IN IN BOLD STATEMENT FROM ANY POLITICIAN IN IN ENVIRONMENT RIGHT NOW ANY POLITICIAN IN IN ENVIRONMENT RIGHT NOW TO SUGGEST THAT YOU ENVIRONMENT RIGHT NOW TO SUGGEST THAT YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO HEAL TO SUGGEST THAT YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO HEAL THE DEPTH OF MIGHT BE ABLE TO HEAL THE DEPTH OF DIVISIONES IN THIS THE DEPTH OF DIVISIONES IN THIS COUNTRY. DIVISIONES IN THIS COUNTRY. >> WE HAVE TO, LESTER COUNTRY. >> WE HAVE TO, LESTER FF. WE DON’T WE ARE IN >> WE HAVE TO, LESTER FF. WE DON’T WE ARE IN DEEP TROUBLE. FF. WE DON’T WE ARE IN DEEP TROUBLE. >> Reporter: LATER DEEP TROUBLE. >> Reporter: LATER THAT YEAR WE SPOKE AT >> Reporter: LATER THAT YEAR WE SPOKE AT A TOWN HALL AFTER HIS THAT YEAR WE SPOKE AT A TOWN HALL AFTER HIS FIRST DEBATE WITH THEN A TOWN HALL AFTER HIS FIRST DEBATE WITH THEN PRESIDENT TRUMP. FIRST DEBATE WITH THEN PRESIDENT TRUMP. >> I’M USED TO PRESIDENT TRUMP. >> I’M USED TO BULLIES, I USED TO >> I’M USED TO BULLIES, I USED TO STUTTER WHEN I WAS A BULLIES, I USED TO STUTTER WHEN I WAS A KID. STUTTER WHEN I WAS A KID. >> Reporter: DEMOCRATS KID. >> Reporter: DEMOCRATS CELEBRATED HIS WIN >> Reporter: DEMOCRATS CELEBRATED HIS WIN OVER MR. TRUMP, AND AS CELEBRATED HIS WIN OVER MR. TRUMP, AND AS PRESIDENT HE HAD OVER MR. TRUMP, AND AS PRESIDENT HE HAD SUCCESS, OVERSEEING PRESIDENT HE HAD SUCCESS, OVERSEEING THE END OF THE SUCCESS, OVERSEEING THE END OF THE PANDEMIC AND PASSING A THE END OF THE PANDEMIC AND PASSING A HISTORIC BIPARTISAN PANDEMIC AND PASSING A HISTORIC BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW. HISTORIC BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW. >> OKAY. INFRASTRUCTURE LAW. >> OKAY. HERE WE GO. >> OKAY. HERE WE GO. >> Reporter: BUT HE HERE WE GO. >> Reporter: BUT HE ALSO STRUGGLED WITH >> Reporter: BUT HE ALSO STRUGGLED WITH LOW APPROVAL RATINGS, ALSO STRUGGLED WITH LOW APPROVAL RATINGS, A RECORD NUMBER OF LOW APPROVAL RATINGS, A RECORD NUMBER OF MIGRANTS CROSSING THE A RECORD NUMBER OF MIGRANTS CROSSING THE BORDER, AND SOARING MIGRANTS CROSSING THE BORDER, AND SOARING INFLATION, SOMETHING I BORDER, AND SOARING INFLATION, SOMETHING I PRESSED HIM ABOUT. INFLATION, SOMETHING I PRESSED HIM ABOUT. >> YOU SAID INFLATION PRESSED HIM ABOUT. >> YOU SAID INFLATION WAS GOING TO BE >> YOU SAID INFLATION WAS GOING TO BE TEMPORARY. WAS GOING TO BE TEMPORARY. I THINK A LOT OF TEMPORARY. I THINK A LOT OF AMERICANS ARE I THINK A LOT OF AMERICANS ARE WONDERING WHAT YOUR AMERICANS ARE WONDERING WHAT YOUR DEFINITION OF WONDERING WHAT YOUR DEFINITION OF TEMPORARY IS. DEFINITION OF TEMPORARY IS. >> WELL, YOU’RE BEING TEMPORARY IS. >> WELL, YOU’RE BEING A WISE GUY WITH ME A >> WELL, YOU’RE BEING A WISE GUY WITH ME A LITTLE BIT AND I A WISE GUY WITH ME A LITTLE BIT AND I UNDERSTAND THAT’S YOUR LITTLE BIT AND I UNDERSTAND THAT’S YOUR JOB, BUT, LOOK, AT THE UNDERSTAND THAT’S YOUR JOB, BUT, LOOK, AT THE TIME WHAT HAPPENED WAS JOB, BUT, LOOK, AT THE TIME WHAT HAPPENED WAS THE -- LET’S LOOK AT TIME WHAT HAPPENED WAS THE -- LET’S LOOK AT THE REASONS FOR THE THE -- LET’S LOOK AT THE REASONS FOR THE INFLATION. THE REASONS FOR THE INFLATION. THE REASON FOR THE INFLATION. THE REASON FOR THE INFLATION IS THE THE REASON FOR THE INFLATION IS THE SUPPLY CHAINS WERE CUT INFLATION IS THE SUPPLY CHAINS WERE CUT OFF. SUPPLY CHAINS WERE CUT OFF. >> Reporter: AND THERE OFF. >> Reporter: AND THERE WERE PUBLIC CONCERNS >> Reporter: AND THERE WERE PUBLIC CONCERNS THE OLDEST PRESIDENT WERE PUBLIC CONCERNS THE OLDEST PRESIDENT WAS NOT MENTALLY FIT THE OLDEST PRESIDENT WAS NOT MENTALLY FIT FOR THE JOB. WAS NOT MENTALLY FIT FOR THE JOB. THEN CAME HIS FOR THE JOB. THEN CAME HIS DISASTROUS DEBATE. THEN CAME HIS DISASTROUS DEBATE. WE SPOKE IN THE WHITE DISASTROUS DEBATE. WE SPOKE IN THE WHITE HOUSE JUST LAST WEEK. WE SPOKE IN THE WHITE HOUSE JUST LAST WEEK. >> WHO DO YOU LISTEN HOUSE JUST LAST WEEK. >> WHO DO YOU LISTEN TO ON DEEPLY PERSONAL >> WHO DO YOU LISTEN TO ON DEEPLY PERSONAL ISSUES LIKE THE TO ON DEEPLY PERSONAL ISSUES LIKE THE DECISIONS WHETHER TO ISSUES LIKE THE DECISIONS WHETHER TO STAY IN THE RACE OR DECISIONS WHETHER TO STAY IN THE RACE OR NOT? STAY IN THE RACE OR NOT? >> ME. NOT? >> ME. LOOK, I’VE BEEN DOING >> ME. LOOK, I’VE BEEN DOING THIS A LONG TIME. LOOK, I’VE BEEN DOING THIS A LONG TIME. THE IDEA THAT I’M THE THIS A LONG TIME. THE IDEA THAT I’M THE OLD GUY, I AM. THE IDEA THAT I’M THE OLD GUY, I AM. I’M OLD. OLD GUY, I AM. I’M OLD. BUT I’M ONLY THREE I’M OLD. BUT I’M ONLY THREE YEARS OLDER THAN BUT I’M ONLY THREE YEARS OLDER THAN TRUMP, NUMBER ONE. YEARS OLDER THAN TRUMP, NUMBER ONE. AND NUMBER TWO, MY TRUMP, NUMBER ONE. AND NUMBER TWO, MY MENTAL ACUITY HAS BEEN AND NUMBER TWO, MY MENTAL ACUITY HAS BEEN PRETTY DAMN GOOD. MENTAL ACUITY HAS BEEN PRETTY DAMN GOOD. >> Reporter: BUT PRETTY DAMN GOOD. >> Reporter: BUT TONIGHT COMING TO THAT >> Reporter: BUT TONIGHT COMING TO THAT DIFFICULT DECISION TO TONIGHT COMING TO THAT DIFFICULT DECISION TO NO LONGER TRY FOR A DIFFICULT DECISION TO NO LONGER TRY FOR A SECOND TERM. NO LONGER TRY FOR A SECOND TERM. WE’VE GOT MORE SECOND TERM. WE’VE GOT MORE COVERAGE STILL AHEAD WE’VE GOT MORE COVERAGE STILL AHEAD TONIGHT HOW VOTERS IN COVERAGE STILL AHEAD TONIGHT HOW VOTERS IN A CRITICAL SWING STATE TONIGHT HOW VOTERS IN A CRITICAL SWING STATE EA >>> PRESIDENT BIDEN’S >>> PRESIDENT BIDEN’S ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY >>> PRESIDENT BIDEN’S ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY SENDING SHOCK WAVES ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY SENDING SHOCK WAVES THROUGH THE COUNTRY. SENDING SHOCK WAVES THROUGH THE COUNTRY. MARISSA PARRA REPORTS THROUGH THE COUNTRY. MARISSA PARRA REPORTS FROM RALEIGH, NORTH MARISSA PARRA REPORTS FROM RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA, ON WHAT FROM RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA, ON WHAT SWING STATE VOTERS CAROLINA, ON WHAT SWING STATE VOTERS THINK OF THIS HISTORIC SWING STATE VOTERS THINK OF THIS HISTORIC MOMENT IN OUR SERIES THINK OF THIS HISTORIC MOMENT IN OUR SERIES "THE DECIDERS." MOMENT IN OUR SERIES "THE DECIDERS." >> Reporter: TONIGHT "THE DECIDERS." >> Reporter: TONIGHT SWING STATE VOTERS >> Reporter: TONIGHT SWING STATE VOTERS NATIONWIDE REACTING TO SWING STATE VOTERS NATIONWIDE REACTING TO THE DEMOCRATIC SHAKEUP NATIONWIDE REACTING TO THE DEMOCRATIC SHAKEUP AT THE TOP OF THE THE DEMOCRATIC SHAKEUP AT THE TOP OF THE PRESIDENTIAL TICKET. AT THE TOP OF THE PRESIDENTIAL TICKET. >> DO YOU HAVE ANY PRESIDENTIAL TICKET. >> DO YOU HAVE ANY REACTION TO BIDEN >> DO YOU HAVE ANY REACTION TO BIDEN DROPPING OUT OF THE REACTION TO BIDEN DROPPING OUT OF THE RACE? DROPPING OUT OF THE RACE? >> I THINK HE MADE A RACE? >> I THINK HE MADE A CHOICE FOR THE COUNTRY >> I THINK HE MADE A CHOICE FOR THE COUNTRY AND I’M IN FAVOR OF CHOICE FOR THE COUNTRY AND I’M IN FAVOR OF IT. AND I’M IN FAVOR OF IT. >> Reporter: FROM IT. >> Reporter: FROM NORTH CAROLINA TO >> Reporter: FROM NORTH CAROLINA TO PENNSYLVANIA. NORTH CAROLINA TO PENNSYLVANIA. >> I THINK IT’S GOOD. PENNSYLVANIA. >> I THINK IT’S GOOD. HE WAS OLD, HE WAS >> I THINK IT’S GOOD. HE WAS OLD, HE WAS FREEZING UP AND THE HE WAS OLD, HE WAS FREEZING UP AND THE DEBATE AND STUFF. FREEZING UP AND THE DEBATE AND STUFF. >> Reporter: TO DEBATE AND STUFF. >> Reporter: TO MICHIGAN. >> Reporter: TO MICHIGAN. >> AT THE SAME TIME MICHIGAN. >> AT THE SAME TIME THEY MUST FEEL IT’S >> AT THE SAME TIME THEY MUST FEEL IT’S BEST FOR THE ELECTION. THEY MUST FEEL IT’S BEST FOR THE ELECTION. >> Reporter: THEY ARE BEST FOR THE ELECTION. >> Reporter: THEY ARE THE VOTERS AMONG SEVEN >> Reporter: THEY ARE THE VOTERS AMONG SEVEN SWING STATES WHO WILL THE VOTERS AMONG SEVEN SWING STATES WHO WILL BE KEY IN DECIDING WHO SWING STATES WHO WILL BE KEY IN DECIDING WHO WILL BE THE NEXT BE KEY IN DECIDING WHO WILL BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT. WILL BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT. AMONG THEM NORTH PRESIDENT. AMONG THEM NORTH CAROLINA WHERE BIDEN AMONG THEM NORTH CAROLINA WHERE BIDEN LOST FOUR YEARS AGO. CAROLINA WHERE BIDEN LOST FOUR YEARS AGO. THE DNC HAS SINCE LOST FOUR YEARS AGO. THE DNC HAS SINCE INVESTED OVER $1.2 THE DNC HAS SINCE INVESTED OVER $1.2 MILLION IN A INVESTED OVER $1.2 MILLION IN A FULL-COURT PRESS TO MILLION IN A FULL-COURT PRESS TO WIN BACK 2024 VOTERS. FULL-COURT PRESS TO WIN BACK 2024 VOTERS. SOME IN THE CAPITAL WIN BACK 2024 VOTERS. SOME IN THE CAPITAL CITY OF RALEIGH SAYING SOME IN THE CAPITAL CITY OF RALEIGH SAYING TODAY’S BOMBSHELL CITY OF RALEIGH SAYING TODAY’S BOMBSHELL DROPOUT BY THE TODAY’S BOMBSHELL DROPOUT BY THE PRESIDENT BOOSTS THEIR DROPOUT BY THE PRESIDENT BOOSTS THEIR CONFIDENCE. PRESIDENT BOOSTS THEIR CONFIDENCE. >> IT MAKES ME MUCH CONFIDENCE. >> IT MAKES ME MUCH MORE HAPPY THAT >> IT MAKES ME MUCH MORE HAPPY THAT THERE’S A CHANCE THAT MORE HAPPY THAT THERE’S A CHANCE THAT TRUMP -- THERE’S A THERE’S A CHANCE THAT TRUMP -- THERE’S A GREATER CHANCE TRUMP TRUMP -- THERE’S A GREATER CHANCE TRUMP WON’T WIN BECAUSE THAT GREATER CHANCE TRUMP WON’T WIN BECAUSE THAT DEBATE SCARED ME, WON’T WIN BECAUSE THAT DEBATE SCARED ME, SCARED THE CHAP OUT OF DEBATE SCARED ME, SCARED THE CHAP OUT OF ME. SCARED THE CHAP OUT OF ME. >> Reporter: OTHERS ME. >> Reporter: OTHERS SAY THEY WILL BACK >> Reporter: OTHERS SAY THEY WILL BACK WHOEVER IS ON THE SAY THEY WILL BACK WHOEVER IS ON THE DEMOCRATIC TICKET. WHOEVER IS ON THE DEMOCRATIC TICKET. >> IT WON’T CHANGE WHO DEMOCRATIC TICKET. >> IT WON’T CHANGE WHO I WILL VOTE FOR OR WHO >> IT WON’T CHANGE WHO I WILL VOTE FOR OR WHO I WON’T VOTE FOR, LET I WILL VOTE FOR OR WHO I WON’T VOTE FOR, LET ME PUT IT THAT WAY. I WON’T VOTE FOR, LET ME PUT IT THAT WAY. >> Reporter: BUT ME PUT IT THAT WAY. >> Reporter: BUT PIVOTAL TO WINNING THE >> Reporter: BUT PIVOTAL TO WINNING THE SWING STATES, WINNING PIVOTAL TO WINNING THE SWING STATES, WINNING OVER THOSE WHO AREN’T SWING STATES, WINNING OVER THOSE WHO AREN’T TOO SURE. OVER THOSE WHO AREN’T TOO SURE. >> WHO ARE YOU VOTING TOO SURE. >> WHO ARE YOU VOTING FOR? >> WHO ARE YOU VOTING FOR? >> I’M STILL DECIDING. FOR? >> I’M STILL DECIDING. >> Reporter: THOSE >> I’M STILL DECIDING. >> Reporter: THOSE UNDECIDED VOTERS >> Reporter: THOSE UNDECIDED VOTERS UNDOUBTEDLY CRITICAL UNDECIDED VOTERS UNDOUBTEDLY CRITICAL ON THE ELECTION JUST UNDOUBTEDLY CRITICAL ON THE ELECTION JUST 107 DAYS AWAY. ON THE ELECTION JUST 107 DAYS AWAY. MARISSA PARRA, NBC 107 DAYS AWAY. MARISSA PARRA, NBC NEWS, RALEIGH, NORTH MARISSA PARRA, NBC NEWS, RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA. NEWS, RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA. >>> UP NEXT, PRESIDENT CAROLINA. >>> UP NEXT, PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS ENDORSED >>> UP NEXT, PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS ENDORSED VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS, BIDEN HAS ENDORSED VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS, BUT COULD WE BE IN FOR VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS, BUT COULD WE BE IN FOR A MAJOR FIGHT AT TH E >>> WE’RE BACK WITH A >>> WE’RE BACK WITH A CLOSER LOOK AT HOW >>> WE’RE BACK WITH A CLOSER LOOK AT HOW TODAY’S ANNOUNCEMENT CLOSER LOOK AT HOW TODAY’S ANNOUNCEMENT FROM PRESIDENT BIDEN TODAY’S ANNOUNCEMENT FROM PRESIDENT BIDEN MIGHT IMPACT THE FROM PRESIDENT BIDEN MIGHT IMPACT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AS IT MIGHT IMPACT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AS IT PREPARES TO LOCK A NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY AS IT PREPARES TO LOCK A NEW NOMINEE. PREPARES TO LOCK A NEW NOMINEE. LAURA JARRETT IS HERE. NOMINEE. LAURA JARRETT IS HERE. LAURA, WE ARE LESS LAURA JARRETT IS HERE. LAURA, WE ARE LESS THAN A MONTH OUT FROM LAURA, WE ARE LESS THAN A MONTH OUT FROM THE DEMOCRATIC THAN A MONTH OUT FROM THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION, THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION, WHAT ARE THE NEXT NATIONAL CONVENTION, WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS FOR THE WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS FOR THE DELEGATES HEADING INTO STEPS FOR THE DELEGATES HEADING INTO IT? DELEGATES HEADING INTO IT? >> AS OF RIGHT NOW THE IT? >> AS OF RIGHT NOW THE DELEGATES ARE >> AS OF RIGHT NOW THE DELEGATES ARE ESSENTIALLY FREE DELEGATES ARE ESSENTIALLY FREE AGENTS. ESSENTIALLY FREE AGENTS. WHOEVER WINS THE AGENTS. WHOEVER WINS THE MAJORITY OF THE WHOEVER WINS THE MAJORITY OF THE DELEGATES WINS THE MAJORITY OF THE DELEGATES WINS THE FORMAL NOMINATION DELEGATES WINS THE FORMAL NOMINATION UNDER PARTY RULES BUT FORMAL NOMINATION UNDER PARTY RULES BUT TIME SOMETHING UNDER PARTY RULES BUT TIME SOMETHING CRITICAL HERE. TIME SOMETHING CRITICAL HERE. IF EVERYTHING GETTING CRITICAL HERE. IF EVERYTHING GETTING BUND UP WITH A VIRTUAL IF EVERYTHING GETTING BUND UP WITH A VIRTUAL ROLL CALL BY AUGUST BUND UP WITH A VIRTUAL ROLL CALL BY AUGUST 2nd THEN DEMOCRATS ROLL CALL BY AUGUST 2nd THEN DEMOCRATS AVOID A BUNCH OF LEGAL 2nd THEN DEMOCRATS AVOID A BUNCH OF LEGAL HEADACHES BUT IF THEY AVOID A BUNCH OF LEGAL HEADACHES BUT IF THEY WAIT UNTIL THE HEADACHES BUT IF THEY WAIT UNTIL THE IN-PERSON CONVENTION WAIT UNTIL THE IN-PERSON CONVENTION ON AUGUST 19th, THEY IN-PERSON CONVENTION ON AUGUST 19th, THEY RISK JEOPARDIZING ON AUGUST 19th, THEY RISK JEOPARDIZING CERTAIN STATE-LEVEL RISK JEOPARDIZING CERTAIN STATE-LEVEL CERTIFICATION CERTAIN STATE-LEVEL CERTIFICATION DEADLINES AND RISK CERTIFICATION DEADLINES AND RISK BEING KEPT OFF THE DEADLINES AND RISK BEING KEPT OFF THE BALLOT ENTIRELY. BEING KEPT OFF THE BALLOT ENTIRELY. >> THE PRESIDENT OF BALLOT ENTIRELY. >> THE PRESIDENT OF COURSE PUT HIS FULL >> THE PRESIDENT OF COURSE PUT HIS FULL SUPPORT BEHIND VICE COURSE PUT HIS FULL SUPPORT BEHIND VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS. SUPPORT BEHIND VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS. TALK ABOUT HOW PRESIDENT HARRIS. TALK ABOUT HOW ELECTION LAW WORKS IN TALK ABOUT HOW ELECTION LAW WORKS IN TERMS OF TRANSFERRING ELECTION LAW WORKS IN TERMS OF TRANSFERRING THE CANDIDACY. TERMS OF TRANSFERRING THE CANDIDACY. >> THIS IS UNCHARTED THE CANDIDACY. >> THIS IS UNCHARTED TERRITORY. >> THIS IS UNCHARTED TERRITORY. ALREADY THIS EVENING TERRITORY. ALREADY THIS EVENING HARRIS TOOK THE FIRST ALREADY THIS EVENING HARRIS TOOK THE FIRST STEPS IN FILING THE HARRIS TOOK THE FIRST STEPS IN FILING THE NECESSARY PAPERWORK STEPS IN FILING THE NECESSARY PAPERWORK WITH THE FEDERAL NECESSARY PAPERWORK WITH THE FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION. WITH THE FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION. THERE IS AN ARGUMENT ELECTION COMMISSION. THERE IS AN ARGUMENT HARRIS CAN USE THE WAR THERE IS AN ARGUMENT HARRIS CAN USE THE WAR CHEST BECAUSE HER NAME HARRIS CAN USE THE WAR CHEST BECAUSE HER NAME WAS ALREADY ON THE CHEST BECAUSE HER NAME WAS ALREADY ON THE PREVIOUS PAPERWORK, WAS ALREADY ON THE PREVIOUS PAPERWORK, BUT YOU SEE PREVIOUS PAPERWORK, BUT YOU SEE REPUBLICANS TONIGHT BUT YOU SEE REPUBLICANS TONIGHT SAYING THAT MONEY MUST REPUBLICANS TONIGHT SAYING THAT MONEY MUST BE RETURNED TO THE SAYING THAT MONEY MUST BE RETURNED TO THE DONORS FOR THE GENERAL BE RETURNED TO THE DONORS FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION. DONORS FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION. SO THIS COULD TURN ELECTION. SO THIS COULD TURN INTO A FIGHT. SO THIS COULD TURN INTO A FIGHT. >> LOTS OF THINGS TO INTO A FIGHT. >> LOTS OF THINGS TO DEAL WITH. >> LOTS OF THINGS TO DEAL WITH. LAURA, THANKS. DEAL WITH. LAURA, THANKS. >> WHEN WE COME BACK LAURA, THANKS. >> WHEN WE COME BACK THE PAST IS PROLOGUED >> WHEN WE COME BACK THE PAST IS PROLOGUED WHAT THAT I SHOULD DEVOTE THAT I SHOULD DEVOTE AN HOUR OR A DAY OF MY THAT I SHOULD DEVOTE AN HOUR OR A DAY OF MY TIME TO ANY PERSONAL AN HOUR OR A DAY OF MY TIME TO ANY PERSONAL PARTISAN CAUSES OR TO TIME TO ANY PERSONAL PARTISAN CAUSES OR TO ANY DUTIES OTHER THAN PARTISAN CAUSES OR TO ANY DUTIES OTHER THAN THE AWESOME DUTIES OF ANY DUTIES OTHER THAN THE AWESOME DUTIES OF THIS OFFICE, THE THE AWESOME DUTIES OF THIS OFFICE, THE PRESIDENCY OF YOUR THIS OFFICE, THE PRESIDENCY OF YOUR COUNTRY. PRESIDENCY OF YOUR COUNTRY. ACCORDINGLY, I SHALL COUNTRY. ACCORDINGLY, I SHALL NOT SEEK AND I WILL ACCORDINGLY, I SHALL NOT SEEK AND I WILL NOT ACCEPT THE NOT SEEK AND I WILL NOT ACCEPT THE NOMINATION OF MY PARTY NOT ACCEPT THE NOMINATION OF MY PARTY FOR ANOTHER TERM AS NOMINATION OF MY PARTY FOR ANOTHER TERM AS YOUR PRESIDENT. FOR ANOTHER TERM AS YOUR PRESIDENT. >>> THE HOUR WAS 9:00 YOUR PRESIDENT. >>> THE HOUR WAS 9:00 P.M., MARCH 31st, >>> THE HOUR WAS 9:00 P.M., MARCH 31st, 1968, THE LAST TIME P.M., MARCH 31st, 1968, THE LAST TIME AMERICANS LOOKED TO 1968, THE LAST TIME AMERICANS LOOKED TO THEIR TELEVISIONS TO AMERICANS LOOKED TO THEIR TELEVISIONS TO LEARN THE PRESIDENT THEIR TELEVISIONS TO LEARN THE PRESIDENT WOULD NOT SEEK LEARN THE PRESIDENT WOULD NOT SEEK REELECTION. WOULD NOT SEEK REELECTION. THEN AS NOW, THE TIMES REELECTION. THEN AS NOW, THE TIMES WERE TURBULENT, MARKED THEN AS NOW, THE TIMES WERE TURBULENT, MARKED BY WAR AND RIBBONED WERE TURBULENT, MARKED BY WAR AND RIBBONED WITH POLITICAL UNREST. BY WAR AND RIBBONED WITH POLITICAL UNREST. PRESIDENT JOHNSON, A WITH POLITICAL UNREST. PRESIDENT JOHNSON, A LION OF THE SENATE, A PRESIDENT JOHNSON, A LION OF THE SENATE, A FORMER VICE PRESIDENT, LION OF THE SENATE, A FORMER VICE PRESIDENT, FACING QUESTIONS FROM FORMER VICE PRESIDENT, FACING QUESTIONS FROM THE NATION AND WITHIN FACING QUESTIONS FROM THE NATION AND WITHIN HIS OWN HEART ABOUT THE NATION AND WITHIN HIS OWN HEART ABOUT HIS HEALTH AND ABILITY HIS OWN HEART ABOUT HIS HEALTH AND ABILITY TO LEAD, OPTED TO STEP HIS HEALTH AND ABILITY TO LEAD, OPTED TO STEP ASIDE. TO LEAD, OPTED TO STEP ASIDE. BY THE TIME DEMOCRATS ASIDE. BY THE TIME DEMOCRATS DESCENDED ON A HOTLY BY THE TIME DEMOCRATS DESCENDED ON A HOTLY CONTESTED CONVENTION DESCENDED ON A HOTLY CONTESTED CONVENTION IN THE TURBULENT CONTESTED CONVENTION IN THE TURBULENT SUMMER OF 1968 IN IN THE TURBULENT SUMMER OF 1968 IN CHICAGO, MARTIN LUTHER SUMMER OF 1968 IN CHICAGO, MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. WAS DEAD, CHICAGO, MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. WAS DEAD, ROBERT F. KENNEDY DEAD KING JR. WAS DEAD, ROBERT F. KENNEDY DEAD AS WELL. ROBERT F. KENNEDY DEAD AS WELL. CHAOS WAS ALL AROUND. AS WELL. CHAOS WAS ALL AROUND. NOW ONCE MORE A CHAOS WAS ALL AROUND. NOW ONCE MORE A PRESIDENT HAS LOOKED NOW ONCE MORE A PRESIDENT HAS LOOKED OUT UPON HIS NATION PRESIDENT HAS LOOKED OUT UPON HIS NATION AND TOLD HIS FELLOW OUT UPON HIS NATION AND TOLD HIS FELLOW AMERICANS THE HOUR HAD AND TOLD HIS FELLOW AMERICANS THE HOUR HAD COME. AMERICANS THE HOUR HAD COME. YES, THE TIMES ARE COME. YES, THE TIMES ARE DIFFERENT, BUT THE YES, THE TIMES ARE DIFFERENT, BUT THE STAKES ARE NO LESS DIFFERENT, BUT THE STAKES ARE NO LESS HIGH, AND OVER THE STAKES ARE NO LESS HIGH, AND OVER THE NEXT 100 PLUS DAYS OUR HIGH, AND OVER THE NEXT 100 PLUS DAYS OUR NATION WILL GRAPPLE NEXT 100 PLUS DAYS OUR NATION WILL GRAPPLE WITH UNCERTAINTY ANEW NATION WILL GRAPPLE WITH UNCERTAINTY ANEW AND DETERMINE THE WITH UNCERTAINTY ANEW AND DETERMINE THE COURSE OF HISTORY WE AND DETERMINE THE COURSE OF HISTORY WE SHARE. COURSE OF HISTORY WE SHARE. THAT’S "NIGHTLY NEWS" SHARE. THAT’S "NIGHTLY NEWS" FOR THIS SUNDAY. THAT’S "NIGHTLY NEWS" FOR THIS SUNDAY. JOIN ME FOR A NETWORK FOR THIS SUNDAY. JOIN ME FOR A NETWORK SPECIAL ON THIS JOIN ME FOR A NETWORK SPECIAL ON THIS BREAKING NEWS STARTING SPECIAL ON THIS BREAKING NEWS STARTING AT 7:00 P.M. EASTERN BREAKING NEWS STARTING AT 7:00 P.M. EASTERN ON YOUR NBC STATION. AT 7:00 P.M. EASTERN ON YOUR NBC STATION. THANK YOU FOR ON YOUR NBC STATION. THANK YOU FOR WATCHING. THANK YOU FOR WATCHING. I’M LESTER HOLT. WATCHING. I’M LESTER HOLT. PLEASE TAKE CARE OF I’M LESTER HOLT. PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND EACH PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND EACH OTHER. YOURSELF AND EACH OTHER. GOODNIGHT.