Surrounded by a long ovation, US President Joe Biden gave a speech on Monday night from the stage at the Democratic National Convention, in which he handed over the baton to Vice President Kamala Harris and stated that during his political career he gave “the best” of himself.
Biden81, received a hero’s welcome weeks after many in his party pressured him to abandon his re-election bid. One month after a unprecedented change in the middle of the campaignthe opening night of the democratic convention in Chicago was designed to give a graceful exit to the sitting president and launch KamalaHarris towards a confrontation with the republican Donald Trumpwhose attempted return to the White House is seen by Democrats as a existential threat.
“I made a lot of mistakes in my career, but I gave them my best”Biden told the crowd, while calling on his party to unite around Harris.
Biden spoke clearly and forcefully, taking the opportunity to defend his record, advocate for his vice president and attack Trump. His speech was more reminiscent of the Biden who won in 2020 than the stammering and sometimes incoherent former candidate whose erratic performance in the debate precipitated the end of his re-election campaign.
Visibly emotional when he took the stage, Biden was greeted with a ovation of more than four minutes and chants of “Thank you Joe,” to which the president responded, “America, I love you.”
The American president and former candidate for re-election said that his decision to appoint Harris as a running mate four years ago was the first one he took upon becoming a Democratic candidate, and it was “the best decision I made in my entire career“.
“She’s tough, she’s experienced and she has enormous integrity, enormous integrity,” he said. “Her story represents the best American story,” she added. “And, like many of our best presidents,” he added in a nod to his own career“she was also vice president.”
Harris makes surprise appearance to thank Biden for ‘historic leadership’
Harris and the second gentleman, Doug Emhoff, stepped out after Biden’s speech at a surprise appearance to hug him and his family.
“Joe, thank you for your historic leadership, for your life of service to our nation, and for all you will continue to do,” he said earlier that night. “We will be eternally grateful to you“.
Biden’s speech, billed as the evening’s main event, It lasted until late into the night. because the convention program was delayed by more than an hour. The delay led convention organizers to cancel a performance by legendary musician James Taylor.
Hillary Clinton Says Harris Can Break ‘Highest, Hardest Glass Ceiling’
A long list of high-profile speakers attempted to tie Biden and Harris to what the party considers the ruling couple’s most popular achievements. The former Secretary of State Hillary Clintonwhich was received with prolonged applause, applauded Harris and highlighted his potential to break the “highest and hardest glass ceiling” and become the first female president of the United States. Clinton was the Democratic presidential candidate in 2016but he lost that election to Trump.
“Together, we have put many cracks in it glass ceiling higher and tougher,” Clinton said, invoking a metaphor she referenced in her concession speech eight years ago. “On the other side of that glass ceiling is Kamala Harris taking the oath of office as our 47th president of the United States. Joined. When a barrier falls for one of us, clear the way for all of us.”
