'Let's Finish This Job': President Biden Announces Intention To Seek Reelection

President Joe Biden has formally announced his intention to seek reelection in 2024, asking voters to give him a second term to “finish this job.”

Biden made the announcement in a three-minute video on the four-year anniversary of when he declared for the White House in 2019. In the video, he says the nation remains embroiled "in a battle for the soul of America" and that many of the rights that comprise the foundation of our democracy -- voting rights, civil rights, and bodily -- remain under threat by his opponents on the far right.

"The question we are facing is whether in the years ahead we have more freedom or less freedom. More rights or fewer," Biden stated in the video. "I know what I want the answer to be and I think you do too. This is not a time to be complacent. That’s why I’m running for re-election."

In his first public appearance since the announcement, Biden offered a preview Tuesday afternoon of how he plans to navigate the dual roles of president and presidential candidate, using a speech to building trades union members to highlight his accomplishments and undercut his GOP rivals, while showing voters he remained focused on his day job.

Biden's path to the Democratic party nomination is expected to be uncomplicated, as he faces no serious Democratic challengers. Among two declared Democratic candidates thus far is noted vaccine critic Robert Kennedy.

The challengers from the Republican party will be far more formidable, beginning with former President Donald Trump, who declared his candidacy back in November. Other Republicans already in the field include conservative radio host Larry Elder and two ex-governors, Nikki Haley of South Carolina and Arkansas' Asa Hutchinson. Trump is the clear front-runner.

"I have no doubt that we will together win the election of 2024," Trump said at a recent rally. "And make America great again."

But many still expect Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to jump into the race, likely posing Trump's biggest challenge for the GOP nomination. Others showing interest include South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, former Vice President Mike Pence, ex-Congresswoman Liz Cheney, and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

There are certainly concerns about President Biden's age among both Democrats and Republicans. He would be 86 at the end of a second term but seems to be betting his first-term legislative achievements and more than 50 years of experience in Washington will outweigh those concerns.

"Let's finish this job," said the president in the announcement video, "I know we can."

Oklahomans may get added perspective on the age issue by considering that they confidently elected Jim Inhofe to another 6-year term in the Senate in 2014 when he was 80, and then did it again in 2020 when he was turning 86. Inhofe retired earlier this year at age 88.