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President Joe Biden delivered a forceful and emotional speech to close out night one of the Democratic National Convention. Whatever anger he might have had toward fellow Democrats, he channeled all of it toward Donald Trump.
He pointed to some of the darkest moments in Trump’s presidency, back to seven years ago, when white supremacists rallied in Charlottesville. But it was Trump’s response — equivocating about white supremacists — that seemed to roil Biden the most. Biden has recounted time and time again as the moment that moved him to run for the White House. The president said it was a “battle for the soul of the nation,” and that the country must vote for Vice President Kamala Harris to preserve democracy.
“I stand before you now on this August night to report that democracy has prevailed. Democracy has delivered. And now democracy must be preserved,” he said on Monday as the hour approached midnight.
The night kicked off a convention much different than the one Biden envisioned just a month ago. Audience members were moved to tearsas the president spoke, delivering a historical speech to mark the passing of the torch to his vice president.
But Biden said he wasn’t angry at those who pushed him to step aside.
“I love the job, but I love my country more,” Biden said. “All this talk about how I’m angry at all those people who said I should step down. That’s not true.”
He used his speech to run through a long list of his accomplishments, from leading the country out of a pandemic to legislative victories from infrastructure to gun safety legislation. He talked about taking actions to combat climate change and strengthen border security, as well as nominating the first Black woman to the Supreme Court. He made sure to count his selection of Harris as his VP as one of his proudest achievements.
“Selecting Kamala was the very first decision I made when I became the nominee, and it was the best decision I made my whole career,” he said, the crowd again erupting into “thank you, Joe” chants.
He responded, “Thank you, Kamala.” He said Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, would carry forward the progress of his first term.
“Join me in promising your whole heart to this effort,” he said.
The president ended his speech by quoting a verse from “American Anthem.”
“Let me know in my heart. When my days are through. America, America, I gave my best to you,” Biden said, pumping his fist in the air.
“I made a lot of mistakes in career,” he continued. “But I gave my best to you.”
