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In a 52-minute speech, President Biden made the case that Vice President Kamala Harris is the best person to carry on his legacy.
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Biden Delivers Keynote on First Night of D.N.C.
In his speech, which lasted nearly an hour, the president touted his accomplishments, attacked Donald Trump and passed the baton to Kamala Harris.
“We love Joe.” “America, I love you. Let me ask you, are you ready to vote for freedom?” “Yeah!” “Are you ready to vote for democracy and for America?” “Yeah!” “Are you ready to elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz –” “Yeah!” “president and vice president of the United States? Because of you, we’ve had one of the most extraordinary four years of progress ever, period. When, I say ‘we,’ I mean Kamala and me. Donald Trump calls America a failing nation. He says we’re losing. He’s the loser. He’s dead wrong. Donald Trump says he will refuse to accept the election result if he loses again. Think about that. He means it. Think about that. All of us carry a special obligation. Independents, Republicans, Democrats. We saved democracy in 2020 and now we must save it again in 2024. Folks, we just have to remember who we are. We’re the United States of America. And there’s nothing we cannot do when we do it together. God bless you all, and may God protect our troops.”
Published Aug. 19, 2024Updated Aug. 20, 2024, 3:31 a.m. ET
President Biden used his valedictory address at the Democratic National Convention on Monday to deliver a lengthy defense of his own record aimed at cementing a 50-year legacy of public service, even as he passed the reins to Vice President Kamala Harris as the new face of the party he led until just weeks ago.
Speaking to a raucous arena filled with Democrats who chanted “We Love Joe!” and gave him a three-and-a-half-minute standing ovation, Mr. Biden grew emotional as he delivered what amounted to a political farewell to his most fervent supporters.
“I’ve given my heart and soul to our nation, and I’ve been blessed a million times in return,” the president said as he made the case that Ms. Harris is the best person to lead the country now that he is no longer in the race.
“She’s tough. She’s experienced. And she has enormous integrity,” Mr. Biden said. Selecting Ms. Harris as his vice president, he added, “was the best decision I made my whole career.”
That was not the case that Mr. Biden expected to be making just over a month ago, before his stunning political demise following a debate performance that raised doubts about his age and vitality. And in some ways, his praise of Ms. Harris during the 52-minute address seemed secondary to his desire to recount the greatest hits of his career in a speech he might have given as the party’s nominee.
One by one, Mr. Biden ticked through a litany of achievements from the stump speeches of his now-ended campaign: $35 insulin; breathing room for American families; strengthening NATO; beating “big Pharma”; burn pits that harmed veterans; investments in infrastructure; appointing a Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court; and the now-familiar call to remember “who the hell we are: We’re the United States of America, and there’s nothing we can’t do if we do it together.”
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