Associated Press
President Joe Biden delivered his valedictory address to the Democratic National Convention on Monday night, as his decision to end his re-election bid released newfound energy within his party with Vice President Kamala Harris′ elevation to the top of the ticket.
After 52 years of rising to the pinnacle of influence within his party, Biden, 81, received a hero’s welcome for stepping aside for Harris, weeks after many in his party pressured him to drop his re-election bid. One month after an unprecedented mid-campaign switch, the opening night of the convention in Chicago was designed to give a graceful exit to the incumbent President and slingshot Harris toward a faceoff with Republican Donald Trump, whose comeback bid for the White House is viewed by Democrats as an existential threat.
A visibly emotional Biden was greeted by a more than four-minute-long ovation and chants of “Thank you, Joe.”
“America, I love you,” he replied.
Speaking clearly and energetically, Biden relished the chance to defend his record, advocate for his Vice President, and attack Trump. His delivery was more reminiscent of the Biden who won in 2020 than the mumbling and sometimes incoherent one-time candidate whose debate performance against Trump in June sparked the downfall of his re-election campaign.
In his remarks, Biden repeated his 2020 theme that “we’re in a battle for the very soul of America” and pressed the case for why Harris and her running mate Tim Walz were best prepared to wage it.
“Because of you, we’ve had the most extraordinary four years of progress ever, period,” Biden declared. And then he interjected, “I say ‘we,’ I mean me and Kamala,’” sharing the credit for his most popular successes with the Vice President to whom he handed over his political operation.
Harris made an unannounced appearance onstage as the convention’s prime-time program began Monday evening to thank Biden for his leadership and watched his remarks from the stands.
“Joe, thank you for your historic leadership, for your lifetime of service to our nation, and for all you’ll continue to do,” she said. “We are forever grateful to you.”
Biden’s speech, billed as the marquee event of the evening, was pushed into late night as the convention program lagged more than an hour behind schedule.
The President recalled the 2017 “Unite the Right” rally, when torch-carrying white supremacists marched in Charlottesville, Virginia, an episode he cites as cementing his decision to run for President in 2020 despite his ongoing grief over the death of his son Beau Biden.
“I could not stay on the sidelines,” Biden said. “So I ran. I had no intention of running again. I’d just lost part of my soul. But I ran with a deep conviction.”
Biden celebrated his administration’s successes, including a massive boost in infrastructure spending and a cap on the price of insulin. The spending resulted in more money going to Republican-leaning states than Democratic states, he said, because “the job of the President is to deliver for all of America.”
During one of the crowd’s many chants of “thank you, Joe,” he added, “Thank you, Kamala too.”
Not even a month ago, Democrats were riven over foreign policy, political strategy and Biden himself, who was holding on after a disastrous debate by claiming he had a better chance than any other Democrat — including Harris — of beating Trump.
On Monday, Biden insisted he did not harbor any ill will to the many voices in the arena before him who had pushed him to the exits, and called on the party to unite around Harris. Accusing Trump of “bowing down” to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Biden said, “I never have and I promise you Kamala Harris will never do it.”
“She’ll be a President we can all be proud of,” he said.
First Lady Jill Biden alluded to her husband’s wrenching decision to leave the race in her remarks minutes before Biden took the stage. She said she fell in love with him all over again “just weeks ago when I saw him dig deep into his soul and decide to no longer seek re-election and endorse Kamala Harris.”
Still, there was little question that the Democratic Party would almost certainly have been in a far worse state if Biden had continued to cling to his campaign despite growing concerns about his mental and physical acuity after struggling to complete sentences during his debate against Trump.
Democrats took turns praising Biden’s leadership and his choice of Harris to succeed him. “I’ve never known a more compassionate man than Joe Biden,” said his longtime confidant Delaware Sen. Chris Coons, who led the crowd in a “we love Joe” chant.
They tried to connect both Biden and Harris to what the party sees as the governing pair’s most popular accomplishments: leading the country out of the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic, pushing for massive investments in the country’s infrastructure, working to lower health care costs and promoting clean energy.
“Thanks to Joe and Kamala, we reduced the price of prescription drugs, repaired roads and bridges and replaced lead pipes,” said South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn, whose 2020 endorsement was critical to Biden winning that primary. He added that one of Biden’s best decisions was “selecting Kamala Harris as his Vice President and endorsing her to succeed him.”
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, greeted with prolonged applause, saluted Harris while noting her potential to break the “highest, hardest glass ceiling” to become America’s first female President. Clinton was the Democratic nominee in 2016 but lost that election to Trump.
“Together, we’ve put a lot of cracks in the highest, hardest glass ceiling,” 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. When a barrier falls for one of us, it clears the way for all of us.”
Clinton also saluted Biden for stepping aside, saying, “Now we are writing a new chapter in America’s story.”
Highlighting the party’s generational reach, Clinton, 76, followed New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 34, who endorsed Harris while delivering the first mention of the war in Gaza from the convention stage, addressing an issue that has split the party’s base ever since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack and Israel’s resulting offensive.
Outside the arena, thousands of protesters descended on Chicago to decry the Biden-Harris administration’s support for the Israeli war effort.
Harris “is working tirelessly to secure a cease-fire in Gaza and bringing the hostages home,” Ocasio-Cortez said, drawing cheers from the crowd.
As he spoke, Biden acknowledged the protests outside the convention and inside the arena, saying, “Those protesters out in the street have a point. A lot of innocent people are being killed on both sides.” He reiterated his push to get Israel and Hamas to agree to a cease-fire deal that would also see the release of hostages taken by Hamas on Oct. 7 in the attack that sparked the 10-month war.
Meanwhile, Democrats also looked to keep the focus on Trump, whose criminal convictions they mocked and who they asserted was only fighting for himself rather than “for the people” — the night’s official theme.
Michigan State Sen. Mallory McMorrow hoisted an oversized copy of “Project 2025” — a blueprint for a second Trump term that was put together by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank — onto the lectern and quoted from portions of it.
“So we read it,” McMorrow said. “Whatever you think it might be. It is so much worse.”
Trump, the former President, has publicly disavowed any interest in the policies outlined in Project 2025, but he has close ties to its authors, and campaign aides have praised its work in the past.
Democrats kept abortion access front and center for voters, betting that the issue will propel them to success as it has in other key races since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade two years ago. Speakers on Monday included three women whose health care suffered due to that decision. And the convention program included a video of Trump praising his role in getting Roe struck down.
A month after a major union leader spoke at the Republican convention, Democrats on Monday featured several labor leaders to appeal to a core party constituency. United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain led the crowd in chanting that “Trump is a scab” as he credited Biden and Harris with standing by striking autoworkers last year.
The convention program also honored the civil rights movement with an appearance from the Rev. Jesse Jackson, the founder of the Chicago-based Rainbow PUSH Coalition, who is ailing with Parkinson’s disease. There were several references to Fannie Lou Hamer, the late civil rights activist who gave a landmark speech at a Democratic convention in 1964.
Hamer was a former sharecropper and a leader of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party. This racially integrated group challenged the seating of an all-white Mississippi delegation at the 1964 Democratic National Convention. Hamer spoke on Aug. 22, 1964 — exactly 60 years before Harris is set to accept the Democratic nomination and become the first Black woman and first person of South Asian descent to be the Presidential nominee of a major party.
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Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
31 comments
Unf
August 20, 2024 at 1:11 am
Wrap!!
Day 30
August 20, 2024 at 7:08 am
I guess they put that old fool on very late last night so he could spew his BS, lies, and deceptions after most of us were in bed. His legacy will still be as one of the worst President’s in history. Kammy at some point will have to defend “THEIR” legacy. Of course the Demo Machine, zombie force, and state run media are all on board with the scrubbers and erasures.
Tom
August 20, 2024 at 12:49 pm
Speaking about spewing BS, lies and deceptions, you sound a bit butthurt that trump is such a moron but you’re stuck with him anyhow. Better luck next time.
Day 30
August 20, 2024 at 1:37 pm
We are both stuck Tom. I wanted someone different than Trump. Upper leadership in your own party suggested a while back that Biden should replace Ka Mana. We are where we are and your party and the liberal media are fully on board with the reformatting and basement protections that Biden got. I won’t be surprised if you guys pull it off.
Tom
August 20, 2024 at 3:19 pm
I would have voted for Haley over Biden. Things just worked out how they did I guess. That having been said, we’re still a ways off yet. Who knows what will happen.
Yrral
August 20, 2024 at 1:29 pm
Did your mama ,wake up one day and say she wanted to bring racist trash like you into the world,I do not think the average White woman think this ,maybe yours did, Google Trump Howell Hitler
Day 30
August 20, 2024 at 1:52 pm
Yrral, where on earth do you come up with anything I said above as being racist? You remind me of the story of the couple living / married together. One of them is constantly suspicious of their mate cheating on them. They constantly check their phone, e-mail, social media trying to find dirt when in fact it is the one constantly accusing and checking that is the serial cheater. You fit that bill for racism. You scream and holler at everyone else but it is YOU that is the bigot. Since you are incapable of thinking for yourself, google “unconscious bias training “ and watch and learn my racist friend.
rick whitaker
August 20, 2024 at 9:16 pm
DAY 30 AKA HOWLER MONKEY, dude you are known on this site both for your racism and general lack of general knowledge. don’t play dumb, you are about as racist as they come. i know, don’t tell me , you have a black friend. dude, you are pitiiiiiiiiiful. wait a minute, i assumed you had at least one friend besides your jacking hand, maybe you don’t.
Michael K
August 20, 2024 at 9:02 am
It is no small feat to completely re-design a major political convention in less than one month. Even more remarkable, is the pivot of the Democratic party to the future, showing the deep bench of talent and leadership. (Republicans underestimate AOC at their peril.). President Biden taught a civics lesson in what it looks like to put Americans before self, and Americans before party.
We’re hearing from a lot of Republicans who deeply regret past support for Trump, and are solidly supporting Harris-Walz. All are welcome in the big tent of the Democratic Party. Everyone.
The choices in this election could not be clearer and more distinct. The youthful energy and forward-focused leadership are with the Democrats, and the energy and excitement are contagious.
Day 30
August 20, 2024 at 12:03 pm
You crack me up Michael K. Keep waving Those Pelosi Pom Poms.
Woke and Vote
August 20, 2024 at 12:55 pm
10 attributes of a
Woke mind
I You read books and don’t burn them
2 You embrace science
3 You are willing to change your mind when new information becomes available
4 You understand that most issues are not black and white
5 You believe in true equality for all people
6 You have empathy
7 You embrace cooperation
8 You respect others’ rights
9 You believe culture and the arts have value
10 You care for the planet
ScienceBLVR
August 20, 2024 at 9:03 am
President Joe Biden- Putting Country before Party or Narcissism! He’s my kinda guy!
My guy.. As a matter of opinion, I think he’s tops
My opinion is, he’s the cream of the crop
As a matter of taste, to be exact
He’s my ideal, as a matter of fact
He’s my guy.. thanks Joe
Day 30
August 20, 2024 at 9:11 am
Make sure and thank him for high fuel prices
Make sure and thank him for inflation
Make sure and thank him for the millions allowed entry at the Southern Border.
Make sure and thank him for all the rise in crime.
Make sure and thank him for the Houthi Rebels taking shots at our military.
Make sure and thank him for Iran’s aggression on Israel.
Make sure and thank him for the Hamas invasion on Israel.
Make sure and thank him for the Russian invasion on Ukraine.
Yep he is your guy.
rick whitaker
August 20, 2024 at 9:30 pm
DAY 30 AKA HOWLER MONKEY, no i’m not going to thank trump for causing all the issues you listed, but, i will thank biden for fixing the problems trump caused or started. thanks for listing them so we can see how screwed up you see things. dude, what the hell is wrong with you?
Tom
August 20, 2024 at 12:52 pm
I’ll tip my hat to the new Constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I’ll get on my knees and pray
We don’t get fooled again
ScienceBLVR
August 20, 2024 at 3:04 pm
Thanks, Tom, Playing it now on ITunes.. didn’t think of that one:)
rbruce
August 20, 2024 at 10:15 am
PolitiFact reports Pres. Biden’s claim about,
1. Trump’s abortion stance – Mostly false.
2. Health care – half true.
3. Immigration – mostly true. Based purely on illegal border crossing. Problem is that Pres. Biden has legalized most border crossing.
4. Crime rate – half true.
5. Economy – mostly false.
6. Racial wealth gap – half true.
7. Billionaire tax rate – false.
PolitiFacts did not rate many claims Pres. Biden made against Pres. Trump. Why not?
Day 30
August 20, 2024 at 10:59 am
Well the answer to your last paragraph is easy. Just refer to the coverup by the media in regards to Joe Biden’s mental health. Everyone from the DNC, WH staff, and of course the majority of the media was in on it.
Yrral
August 20, 2024 at 1:34 pm
Maybe you should address your own mental health,they say Trump supporters suffer from mass psychosis Google Trump Supporters Mass Psychosis
Day 30
August 20, 2024 at 1:55 pm
You might want to step away from
The google machine for a bit. Your idiocy is really coming through. Maybe apply for a job. Maybe get some exercise. Do something besides lighting up google.
Michael K
August 20, 2024 at 2:46 pm
Nothing says idiot like a whatabout whatabout whatabout troll who changes her name every day.
Day 30
August 20, 2024 at 3:19 pm
What is in a sign in name anyway Michael K? Is that even your real name? Guess what, IDGAS. Call yourself whatever you want. I’ll tell you again I am merely displaying the number of days Kammy has gone without speaking to the press. She’s not capable. She knows it. Her handlers know it. Even true thinking zombies know it. The strategy is exactly what “The Machine” did with Trump. Hide em in the basement until the election is over. By the way Michael, I pee standing up.😜
Day 30
August 20, 2024 at 3:25 pm
I mean Biden.🤣
rick whitaker
August 20, 2024 at 7:03 pm
DAY 30, AKA HOWLER MONKEY, ,as long as maga keeps talking, the country will be walking. your daddy trump is my best friend when it comes to helping harris win . BTW, how does it feel to be made fun of by nearly everyone on this site? howler monkey is such a good name for you. don’t sling shit on too many people like most monkeys do. of course you won’t heed that advice will you hm.
Bill
August 20, 2024 at 1:27 pm
There’s a lot of things not being covered apparently. I wonder why they’re dancing around this one?
“Fox News still has not aired Trump’s comments denigrating Medal of Honor recipients
The sole mention came from a contributor flippantly dismissing the comments in passing: “I don’t care what he says about the Medal of Freedom or the Medal of Honor. … He can be a rotten human being for all I care.”
Ocean Joe
August 20, 2024 at 7:10 pm
Listen, we all know about Trump-speak. It might be meant as an insult to veterans, but I think it was his version of a joke that you may die or be horribly wounded for one and can get the other without a scratch (in exchange for a big fat donation). Let’s not waste time here. His worst crime was the election denial, destruction of the right’s faith in elections, a spate of ridiculous election legislation in red states to address a fake problem, as fake as the wrestlers at his convention, and summoning a mob to ransack the Capitol to prevent the certification of the electoral college vote.
He should be on trial for Jan 6 and for the death of Ashli Babbitt as well as several others, injury to 140 law enforcement officers, $2,000,000 in damages to the Capitol, and countless broken lives including those of many of his delusional followers who came for mayhem and thanks to the brave work of law enforcement and modern technology, have been brought to justice. Fox News paid out $796,000,000 to election machine company (it’s approved for use here in Florida) with a parallel case against a second company waiting. That’s a hell of a settlement because they could not prove the truth of Trump’s claims and feared a far larger verdict…and still Magaland thinks the election was stolen. “I need you to find me 11,780 votes which is one more than we have…” He is truly a scumbag.
Ocean Joe
August 20, 2024 at 7:18 pm
As Rudy said, ‘We’ve got plenty of theories, but no evidence” or close to that, and now, after prostituting himself to Trump who refused to pay him, America’s Mayor, a guy that once shut down the mob in New York along with the squeegee people, is now destitute looking for a cardboard box to call home.
Michael S
August 20, 2024 at 12:58 pm
Ok, so you want to play fact-check using Politifact? I’ll see your 7 and raise you 30,000.
, PolitiFact published its 1,000th fact check of a claim made by Donald Trump. The publication, which usually refrains from wading into political discussions or weighing in on a politician’s overall character, took the opportunity to release an analysis of those years of work. Its finding? Trump lies a lot.
“American fact-checkers have never encountered a politician who shares Trump’s disregard for factual accuracy,” the authors wrote. “Ever since he descended the escalator at Trump Tower in 2015, we have encountered a firehose of claims.”
The analysis found in particular that Trump’s immigration-related claims tended toward inflammatory falsehoods and that more than 70 percent of PolitiFact’s checks on immigration, foreign policy, crime, COVID, and health care were largely false. It concluded, also, that “Trump’s falsehoods have fueled threats to democracy.”
Day 30
August 20, 2024 at 1:20 pm
You know what they say about politicians right? If their lips are moving they are lying. Biden was lying last night and of course Trump tells lies too. Now it’s Kammy’s turn to start her lies. She is already off to a good start. Shake thiose Pelosi Pom Poms. 🤣
Michael K
August 20, 2024 at 2:04 pm
There is no “equivalency” with Republicans or Trump. None.
Retired Gen. John Kelly, one of many former Trump Chiefs of staff, confirmed Trump’s dismissal of soldiers who died as “suckers and losers” in his book and interviews, along with Trump’s refusal to be seen with soldiers missing limbs.
No other candidate incited an insurrection and refused to accept the results of a free and fair election. Fox “news” paid $800 million in fines for repeating the big lie. No other candidate lies about crowd size. Trump is a sociopath and a pathological liar – always has been.
Ocean Joe
August 20, 2024 at 6:51 pm
As a ‘double hater’ I didnt watch Biden’s speech. Thankfully it’s over and he’s almost out the door. He ran in 2020 claiming he’d only run once to defeat Trump, it’s arguable that the continuing spectre of Trump running for the 3rd time and the GOP totally subservient to him compelled Biden to run again against this disgraceful windbag of lies.
Kamala has surprised me, but one thing has not: the desire to move on by much of the country from these two very old men. Trump’s darkness and grievance and lawless behavior appeal to the modern GOP, a party he stole like so many other things, lock stock and barrel.
A lot of great things were accomplished under Biden, and much was prevented by GOP control of the House and bare Dem control of the senate. While I prefer divided government to keep things in balance, Trump wrecked all that with his Hitlerian control over GOP politicians who fear him to a man. What, my Republican friends is it like to know your own leaders will cave on what they believe in if Trump orders it. Case in point: the bipartisan border bill.