Biden gives emotional farewell speech at Democratic convention
Members of the Democratic party gave president Joe Biden a standing ovation at their national conference in Chicago on Monday evening. Biden was the keynote speaker on the first day of the Democrats’ four-day party convention, hailing Kamala Harris as the future of the party and America.
The event started with an unannounced appearance by Harris, the party’s presidential candidate. “Joe, thank you for your historic leadership and for your lifetime of service to our nation and for all you continue to do,” she said. “We are forever grateful to you.”
After paying tribute to his wife, Jill, and looking back at the storming of the Capitol in 2021 by supporters of Donald Trump, Biden gave an overview of his achievements while in office in an hour-long speech.
“Covid no longer controls our lives and we went from an economic crisis to the strongest economy in the world,” the 81-year-old said, describing it as the “most extraordinary four years of progress ever”.
'Right direction'
There is still work to do, he acknowledged, but “we are moving in the right direction”. He referred to his climate bill, measures to keep medicines affordable, gun legislation and infrastructure projects, among other issues.
Biden denied being angry with those who asked him to step aside, following concerns about his health and competence, saying: “I love the job, but I love my country more.”
Speaking about Harris, he said she would be “a historic president who puts her stamp on America’s future”. He promised to be “the best volunteer” for her campaign.
According to Biden, the “threat” to democracy has not yet disappeared. Trump is “promising a bloodbath, if he loses, in his words, and that he’ll be a dictator on day one, in his own words”, he said.
Joe Biden departs the stage after giving the keynote address on the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, 19 August 2024 © PHOTO BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP
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