President Joe Biden finally heeded public advice from nearly 40 Democratic lawmakers and donors’ private wishes by suspending his reelection campaign on Sunday, the end of a monthlong saga that had many holding their breath and shaking their heads.

Biden stayed in the race even after months of signs showing his physical fitness and mental faculties were in decline, causing many Democrats to beg him to pass the torch on to a new candidate ever since the June 27 presidential debate.