A month after announcing he would not seek re-election, President Joe Biden addressed the Democratic National Convention on Monday night. As VOA correspondent Patsy Widakuswara reports from Chicago, he tried to highlight his legacy and passed the baton to Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party's official presidential nominee.
Introduced by his daughter, Ashley, President Joe Biden was given a hero's welcome by delegates who chanted, “Thanks, Joe!”
At the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, he fulfilled his promise to pass the baton of leadership…
“Are you ready to pick Kamala Harris and Tim Walz?”he asked the delegates.
The president gave his full support to Ms. Harris as the party's official candidate for the November election.
“She will be a president who will serve as an inspiration to our children. She will be a president respected by world leaders, and they respect her already. He will be a president we can all be proud of, and he will be a historic president who will shape the future of America.”than President Biden.
President Biden ran unchallenged during the primary elections in the Democratic Party. Almost a month ago, 4,000 delegates were expected to vote for him as the official presidential candidate. But on Monday he threw his support behind Ms Harris as he pointed to achievements during his tenure.
“Covid no longer controls our lives. We have gone from the economic crisis to the strongest economy in the whole world. With a record of 60 million new jobs, with a record of growth in small business, stock exchanges, private pension schemes, wages, reducing inflation”than President Biden.
This new reality for the presidential race began with the debate against the Republican candidate, former President Donald Trump, at the end of June. President Biden, now 81 years old, had a discouraging performance that led people to question his mental acuity.
Subsequently, an assassination attempt on former President Trump further united Republicans and gave him a further boost in national support.
For weeks, President Biden insisted he would continue to run, even though party leaders were privately urging him to withdraw from the race.
“Joe Biden is a one-term president who was forced by Democratic Party leaders to drop out of the race. Although he won the primary, he is already being asked to enthusiastically endorse his vice president, Kamala Harris. You don't have to be Sigmund Freud to understand how confused it can feel.”says Thomas Schwartz, of Vanderbilt University.
President Biden showed no signs of hesitation and gave his full support to Ms. Harris as he basked in the warmth and gratitude of his party. VOA spoke with some of the delegates present.
“It was a beautiful speech. A wonderful speech. Crowning of years of public service”says Julia Locke, delegate from Georgia.
“His legacy is strong and positive. Today he told the American public why he loves him and what he did for 50 years in the service of our country. An extraordinary history”says Jim Costa, delegate from California.
This warmth continued despite former President Trump's efforts to sow division in the ranks of Democrats.
“They forced him to leave. It was a coup. We had a coup. The first in the history of our country”tha ish-Presidenti Trump.
President Biden repeated the Democratic theme that Ms. Harris, a former prosecutor, will face Mr. Trump, who has been found guilty by the court of criminal offenses.
“And crime will lose ground when we send a female prosecutor to the Oval Office, instead of a convicted criminal”than President Biden.
He concluded the speech with a full endorsement of Ms. Harris, reaffirming his role as a Democratic leader who can save the country again, but this time by passing the baton.
“Joe, thank you for your historic leadership, for a lifetime of service to our country, and for all that you will continue to do. May we be forever grateful”said Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
