US President Joe Biden addressed the Democratic National Convention, receiving an emotional standing ovation when he stepped on the podium on Monday night.
Introduced by his daughter, Ashley, the 81-year-old President was welcomed by thundering applause and the chant “We love Joe.”
Biden delivered an hour-long speech, capping a more than 50-year long political career. It was a speech aiming, among other things, at preserving his legacy after, a month ago, several representatives of the Democratic Party doubted his ability to lead the country for a second term.
The President proclaimed to wild applause that he loves his country, borrowing a line from the National Anthem, “America, America, I gave my best to you.”
In his speech, he also passed the torch on to Vice-President Kamala Harris as the new Democrat candidate for presidency.
The core of the speech was about democracy and the struggle of the Democratic Party in preserving American ideals. Biden also noted how these were challenged by Republican Donald Trump during his previous term as the nation’s President.
For this reason, he promised to be the “best volunteer” in the campaign of his 59-year-old Vice-President, who made an unexpected brief appearance on stage. Joe Biden called on US voters to elect Harris, a former prosecutor, to the presidency rather than Donald Trump, the “convicted felon.”
He also called on Democrats to go out and vote for freedom and democracy on November 5th, reminding the audience of the political violence that followed in the last election, which culminated in the invasion of the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Joe Biden passes the torch to Kamala Harris
The President praised Kamala Harris throughout his speech, saying that she will be a “President our children could look up to.” He made sure to credit her for their administration’s accomplishments, thanking her for her contributions.
Biden pointed to Harris’ work during the past four years. “We’ve had one of the most extraordinary four years of progress ever, period. And when I say we, I mean Kamala and me,” he said.
Moreover, Biden assured onlookers that Harris would be good for international relations, as well, as she is already respected by world leaders. “She’ll be a President we can all be proud of,” he said, “and she will be a historic President who puts her stamp on America’s future.”
President Biden also made note of some of the issues Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, have pledged to work on. Their economic policy agenda, for instance, includes tackling corporate greed and bringing down food costs, while their housing plan encompasses the building of three million new homes and the provision of a $25,000 down payment supplement for first-time homebuyers.
After practically an hour, the President left the stage in tears amidst thundering applause and “We love Joe” chants.
