Biden Honored His Promise to Bridge the Democratic Party’s Future at DNC

On the opening night of the Democratic National Convention, President Joe Biden delivered an address that seemed unlikely just weeks prior. After stepping away from his reelection campaign as the Democratic nominee in late July, Biden’s speech came at a pivotal moment for the party and himself.

Biden initially intended to save his acceptance speech for the final day of the convention, where he would have presented a strong defense of his presidency to a national audience, urging voters to elect him for a second term. Instead, he shifted his focus to celebrate his administration’s accomplishments while emphasizing Vice President Kamala Harris as the key figure to continue his vision for the country.

Introduced by his daughter Ashley, a visibly emotional Biden received a warm welcome from the crowd, who passionately chanted, “We love Joe.” His message was straightforward yet powerful: “Our best days are not behind us, they’re before us,” he expressed, asserting the importance of preserving democracy.

Reflecting on how this address may be remembered in the context of his presidency, it marked a significant moment for Biden. During the 2020 Democratic primaries, he described himself as a “bridge” to future leaders within the party. His choice of Harris as his vice-presidential pick was crucial in establishing her as a potential future Democratic leader.

However, Biden’s campaign faced challenges, including a poor debate performance against former President Donald Trump and persistent concerns about the then-81-year-old president’s fitness for office. These factors prompted many Democratic lawmakers to urge him to exit the race, which ultimately led to his decision to withdraw while ensuring that Harris received his endorsement as his successor.

In his address, Biden fondly noted that choosing Harris as his running mate was “the best decision” of his career. This endorsement was vital as the Democratic Party dealt with internal strife surrounding his candidacy, particularly as they braced for the possibility of Trump returning to power.

Throughout his speech, Biden highlighted Harris’s strengths, linking her to various progressive causes, including enhancing union protections and increasing investment in public safety. He touched upon his desire for a cease-fire in Gaza, acknowledging the pressures from activists urging Democrats to address the ongoing conflict fairly.

His message aimed to unite the party, which is essential given that many Democrats admire him personally, yet some expressed a preference for a different candidate. In this context, Harris emerged as that candidate, with Biden committing to fully support her campaign.

Before assuming the presidency, Biden had long held aspirations for the highest office. He began his political career as a U.S. senator from Delaware in 1973 and served in that role until becoming vice president under Barack Obama in 2009. Over the years, Biden attempted to run for president multiple times, facing setbacks but remaining undeterred.

His journey culminated in winning the Democratic nomination in 2020, ultimately defeating Trump later that year. Once in office, Biden aimed to enact transformative policies, championing significant legislation such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act during his presidency.

However, concerns regarding the economy and immigration had a noticeable impact on his approval ratings over the past two years, threatening the prospects of down-ballot Democratic candidates. The debates against Trump and the resulting dynamics within the party ultimately culminated in Harris stepping into a prominent role as Biden began to step back.

After concluding his speech, Biden planned to leave Chicago, opting out of the remaining days of the convention that had initially been organized around his candidacy. While his aspirations for a second term may have changed, his address reinforced that he intended to define his legacy on his own terms.

Source: Business Insider