CHICAGO – In what could be one of the last major speeches of his decades-long political career, President Biden on Monday night handed the leadership of his party to Vice President Kamala Harris as he highlighted the administration’s achievements over the past three and a half years.
Speaking in front of the United Arena, the site of the Democratic National Convention, the president declared “America, I have given you my best,” as many party officials and delegates, activists, and supporters repeatedly gave Biden a standing ovation. and chants of “thank you, Joe.”
Praising the vice president, Biden said that “picking Kamala was the first decision I made before running for the nomination, and it was the best decision I made in my career.”
“He’s tough, he’s experienced, and he has tremendous integrity, tremendous integrity. His story represents the best American story,” the president said.
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US President Joe Biden stands on stage during Day 1 of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center, in Chicago, Illinois, USA, August 19, 2024. (REUTERS/Mike Segar)
And he asked the crowd “are you ready to vote for freedom. Are you ready to vote for democracy and America? Let me ask you, are you ready to vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, President and Vice President of the United States. .”
Biden repeatedly took aim at former President Trump and the threats he said the Republican presidential nominee was making to American democracy and international alliances. And looking at the vice president and his running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, he promised to be “the best Harris and Walz volunteer I’ve ever seen.”
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Harris and Walz and their husbands, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walz, joined the president, First Lady Jill Biden and her family, at the podium after Biden’s speech, in a clear sign of party unity.
Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris, left, holds her hands in the air with President Joe Biden at the Democratic National Convention, Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
The president’s speech came four weeks and one day after his blockbuster announcement that he would end his own White House bid and endorse a vice president to replace him on the party’s 2024 ticket in the election battle against former President Trump.
Biden’s performance against Trump in a debate last June raised questions about whether the 81-year-old president has the physical and mental abilities to handle another four years in the White House and prompted a chorus of calls from his own party to end him. 2024 campaign.
Biden finally caved to the pressure, announcing the suspension of his re-election campaign three days after the Republican National Convention ended with a solid GOP ticket for Trump and his running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio.
Biden spoke in front of a crowd that included many politicians who have publicly called for or maneuvered behind the scenes to get the president out of the race, as his support in public opinion polls began to fade after the debate with Trump.
When President Biden spoke at the Democratic National Convention, “We Love Joe” signs filled the United Arena, in Chicago, Illinois on August 19, 2024. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)
Since Harris succeeded Biden, the vice president has been riding a wave of energy, with jumps in polls and fundraising as the battle with Trump once again becomes a margin-of-error race.
As Harris rose, Trump increasingly lashed out at Democrats for what he accused of being a “vicious accusation” against Biden.
“Crooked Joe Biden was told, ‘Sorry Joe, you lost to Trump, BIG, and you can’t beat him – You’re Fired,'” the former president said Monday in a social media post.
But Biden in his speech aimed to dispel the notion that he was angry about changing course and giving up his bid for a second term in the White House.
“You see, it is the honor of my life to be your president. I love the job, but I love my country more,” Biden said. “And all this talk about how angry I am (at) all the people who said I should resign – that’s not true.”
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US President Joe Biden reacts as he joins his daughter Ashley on stage during the first day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, Illinois, USA, 19 August 2024. (REUTERS/Brendan McDermid)
Five months into the presidency, the speech was not considered a farewell speech, but in some ways it had the feel of a swan song, as he touted the administration’s achievements.
But Biden also pointed to the work he has left to do — including supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia and securing a cease-fire and hostage-release deal between Israel and Hamas to end the deadly war in Gaza.
Outside the security zone surrounding the arena, anti-Israel protesters marched throughout the day. And at the United Center, a small group of delegates protesting Biden’s handling of the war briefly held up a banner that read “stop arming Israel.” But delegates quickly blocked him with “We Love Joe” signs and drowned him.
At one point, referring to the mounting death toll, Biden said “the protesters have a point.”
Speaking minutes before Biden at the convention podium was former Secretary of State, former senator, and former first lady Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Democratic presidential candidate.
Clinton, in her speech, blasted Trump, praised Biden, and said Harris has the “character, experience and vision to lead us forward.”
Speeches by Clinton and Biden — the party’s two previous standard bearers — symbolized how the Democrats’ old guard is passing the torch to a younger generation.
Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris walks on stage before speaking at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, on August 19, 2024. (REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)
Harris, in a brief surprise from the podium that evening, praised his boss.
“I want to kick us off by celebrating an incredible president,” he stressed. “Joe, thank you for your historic leadership, for your lifetime of service to our nation, and for all that you will continue to do. We are forever grateful to you.”
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