Chicago – In what may be one of the last major speeches of his decades-long political career, President Biden on Monday night handed the reins of the party to Vice President Kamala Harris as he highlighted his administration's accomplishments over the past three and a half years.
Speaking in front of a packed United Arena, site of the Democratic National Convention, the president declared, “America, I gave you my best,” as the crowd of party officials and delegates, activists and supporters repeatedly gave Biden sustained standing ovations and chants of “thank you, Joe.”
Praising his vice president, Biden said that “selecting Kamala was the first decision I made before I became our nominee, and it was the best decision I made in my entire career.”
“She's tough, she's experienced, and she has tremendous integrity, tremendous integrity. Her story is the best American story,” the president said.
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U.S. President Joe Biden stands onstage during the first day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., 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 for America? Let me ask you: Are you ready to elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, president and vice president of the United States?”
Biden repeatedly criticized former President Trump and the threats he said the Republican presidential nominee posed to American democracy and international alliances. And, looking to his vice president and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, he promised to be “the best volunteer Harris and Walz have ever seen.”
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Harris and Walz and their spouses, second gentleman Doug Emhoff and Minnesota first lady Gwen Walz, joined the president, first lady Jill Biden and their family at the podium following Biden's speech in a clear sign of party unity.
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris (left) shakes hands 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 a day after his blockbuster announcement that he was ending his own bid for the White House and endorsing his vice president to replace him on the party's 2024 ticket in the election showdown against former President Trump.
Biden’s disastrous performance against Trump in their late June debate fueled questions about whether the 81-year-old president had the physical and mental capabilities to handle another four years in the White House and prompted a chorus of calls within his own party to end his 2024 campaign.
Biden eventually caved to the pressure and announced the suspension of his re-election campaign three days after the Republican National Convention ended with a consolidated Republican ticket of Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio.
Biden spoke in front of a crowd that included many politicians who had publicly urged or maneuvered behind the scenes to get the president to drop out of the race, as his support in public opinion polls began to fade after his debate showdown with Trump.
As President Biden speaks at the Democratic National Convention, signs reading “We Love Joe” fill the United Arena in Chicago, Illinois, August 19, 2024. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)
Since Harris succeeded Biden, the vice president has been on a wave of energy, with a jump in polls and fundraising, while the battle with Trump is once again a race with margin for error.
As Harris has gained ground, Trump has increasingly attacked Democrats for what he called a “brutal COUP” against Biden.
“Crooked Joe Biden was told, 'Sorry Joe, you're losing to Trump, BIG, and you can't beat him. You're fired,'” the former president said in a social media post Monday.
But Biden in his speech sought to dispel any notion that he was angry about changing course and abandoning his bid for a second term in the White House.
“You see, it's been the honor of my life to serve as 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 those people who said I should resign, that's not true.”
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U.S. President Joe Biden reacts as he joins his daughter Ashley onstage during the first day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., August 19, 2024. (Reuters/Brendan McDermid)
Five months into his presidency, his speech was not considered a farewell address, but in some ways had the feel of a swansong as he touted his administration's accomplishments.
But Biden also highlighted the work he has left to do, including supporting Ukraine in its war against Russia and securing a ceasefire and hostage release agreement between Israel and Hamas to end the deadly war in Gaza.
Outside the security zone surrounding the stadium, anti-Israel protesters marched throughout the day. And inside the United Center, a small group of delegates protesting Biden’s handling of the war briefly raised a banner reading “Stop arming Israel.” But delegates quickly blocked them with signs reading “We love Joe” and silenced them.
At one point, noting the rising death toll, Biden said “the protesters are right.”
Minutes before Biden spoke at the convention podium, former Secretary of State, former senator and former first lady Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee in 2016.
Clinton, in her speech, criticized Trump, praised Biden and said Harris has the “character, experience and vision to lead us forward.”
The speeches by Clinton and Biden (the party's two previous standard-bearers) symbolized how the old Democratic guard was passing the torch to a younger generation.
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris gestures onstage before speaking during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, Aug. 19, 2024. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)
Harris, in a brief surprise appearance from the podium earlier in the evening, praised his boss.
“I want to start by celebrating our incredible president,” he said. “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 will be forever grateful.”
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