Biden pledges never to bow to dictators, hands over reigns to Harris
20 August 2024 09:54
No president should bow to dictators like Donald Trump did to Vladimir Putin, US President Joe Biden said on Monday at the Democratic election convention, emphasizing that "Kamala Harris will not do that." He also spoke about why he withdrew from the presidential race.
Biden, greeted with several minutes of standing ovation and chants of "we love Joe," used his speech to highlight achievements, summarize a 50-year political career, and present the stakes of the upcoming elections, which, in his view, are democracy itself. He recalled that in 2021 he was sworn in before the Capitol, which, two weeks earlier, had been the site of dramatic scenes.
"Democracy has prevailed. Democracy has delivered. And now democracy must be preserved," Biden said.
"I’ve got five months left of my presidency and I have a lot to do. I intend to get it done," he added "It’s been the honor of my lifetime to serve as your president. And I love the job, but I love my country more."
Biden admitted: I am too old
At the end of his speech, the US President admitted that he is "too old" to remain president for another four years, adding: - America, I have given my all for you.
Biden noted that the achievements of his presidency, which he called "four remarkable years of progress," were also the work of his potential successor, Vice President Kamala Harris. Among the successes, he mentioned, among others, lowering the prices of prescription drugs, investing nearly a trillion pounds in infrastructure, and hundreds of billions of pounds in building semiconductor factories or the largest-ever investment package in energy transition.
"Donald Trump calls America a failing nation. When he talks about America being a failing nation, he says we’re losing. He’s the loser. He’s dead wrong," Biden conveyed. He added, contrary to the former president's claims, that statistics show crime is dropping at the fastest rate in history. "And it will continue to decline when we elect a prosecutor to the Oval Office instead of a convicted felon," he added.
"No commander-in-chief should ever bow down to dictators,
Speaking on foreign policy, the president expressed disgust at Trump's admiration for dictators, especially Putin.
- No president should bow to dictators like Donald Trump bowed to Vladimir Putin. I didn't do it, and Kamala Harris won't do it either - Biden assured, announcing that his successor would be a president respected by the world.
Biden also addressed Israel's war with Hamas in the Palestinian Gaza Strip, acknowledging that demonstrators protesting against it have a point. - Many innocent people are dying (...) This war must end - he said.
After the speech, which was received with loud applause, Biden and his wife Jill exchanged hugs with Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff.
Biden's speech concluded the first of four days of the Democratic convention in Chicago and symbolised the transfer of leadership in the party to Kamala Harris.
"Thank you for historic leadership"
Earlier, before Biden, Harris herself appeared on stage. In a short, unscheduled appearance not part of the convention programme, the Vice President took the stage and highlighted Biden's merits for the country.
- Joe, thank you for your historic leadership and for your lifetime of service to our country. We are eternally grateful - Harris said, to which the crowd responded with chants of "thank you Joe".
Harris's main speech is scheduled for Thursday, the last day of the convention. She is then expected to officially accept the party's nomination.
On Monday, in addition to Harris, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and First Lady Jill Biden appeared. Celebrities, including singers Jason Isbell and James Taylor, also gave speeches. USA basketball team coach and multiple NBA champion Steve Kerr gave a speech supporting Harris and criticising Republican candidate Donald Trump.
Harris was also supported on stage by the head of an important automotive workers' union, Shawn Fain, who stated that "Kamala is one of them (unionists)." At the same time, Trump is a "strikebreaker" and a "billionaires' lapdog." Similarly passionate speeches in Chicago were delivered by two young rising stars of the party - congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jasmine Crockett. The latter stated that Trump's greatest role model is Putin.
Despite significant enthusiasm from party activists, the first day of the Democratic convention was not without disruptions. Due to a protest organised by pro-Palestinian and far-left groups against the war in Gaza, some demonstrators managed to knock down part of the metal fence surrounding the area near the Chicago Bulls arena, where the convention is taking place. However, the police managed to control the situation.
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