DEMOCRATS CHOOSE BIDEN
Biden accepts Democratic presidential nomination
:I/MINGTON, 'el. — -oe Biden accepted the 'emocratic presidential nomination and achieving a pinnacle in an unfinished quest that has spanned three decades and been marred by personal tragedy, political stumbles and more dynamic rivals.
The past hurdles fell away as Biden addressed his fellow 'emocrats and millions of Americans at home who he hopes will send him to the :hite House to replace 'onald Trump – though his triumphant moment was drained of immediate drama by the coronavirus pandemic, which left him speaking to a nearly empty arena rather than a to a joyously cheering crowd.
“Here and now I give you my word, if you entrust me with the presidency, I will draw on the best of us not the worst,´ Biden declared.
The pandemic has shaken the nation and fundamentally altered the campaign. But Biden pointed to the public health emergency and the severe economic fallout to turn traits previously seen as vulnerabilities, notably a long career spent in elected office, into an advantage by presenting himself as a competent leader in a moment that 'emocrats say cries out for one in the :hite House.
The night’s keynote address was the speech of a lifetime for Biden, who at would be the oldest president ever elected if he defeats Trump in November. But his convention leaned on a younger generation earlier in the night to help energi]e his sprawling coalition.
Tammy 'uckworth, an Illinois senator, said Biden has “common decency.´
8.S. Sen. Cory Booker said Biden believes in the dignity of all working Americans.
And 3ete Buttigieg, a -year-old former presidential candidate, noted that Biden came out in favor of samesex marriage as vice president even before 3resident Barack Obama did.
“-oe Biden is right, this is a contest for the soul of the nation. And to me that contest is not between good Americans and evil Americans,´ Buttigieg said.
Above all, Biden was focusing on uniting the nation as Americans grapple with the CO9I'-1 crisis
crisis and the related economic slump.
Throughout their convention, the 'emocrats have summoned a collective urgency about the dangers of Trump as president. ,n 2016, they dismissed and sometimes triviali]ed him. After losing that election, they now cast him as an e[istential threat to the country.
Beyond Biden’s highly anticipated speech, Thursday’s program was designed to highlight the diversity of the
'emocratic Party and the nation he hopes to lead.
“We know how important it is that we elect real leaders like -oe Biden and .amala Harris, people of honor and integrity, who hold justice close to their hearts and believe that the lives of my four black children matter,” /ance Bottoms said. She spoke ahead of a tribute to the late -ohn /ewis, the *eorgia congressman and civil rights leader who devoted much of his life to ensuring African Americans are able to vote.
Biden’s 'emocratic Party has sought this week to put forward a cohesive vision of
values and policy priorities. Biden’s call for unity comes as some strategists worry that 'emocrats cannot retake the White House simply by tearing Trump down Biden needs to give his sprawling coalition something to vote for. That’s easier said than done in a modern 'emocratic Party made up of disparate factions that span generation, race and ideology.
Though he has been in the 8.S. Senate for decades, much of the electorate knows little about Biden’s background before he began serving as President Barack 2bama’s vice president in 2008.
Thursday’s convention served as a national reintroduction of sorts that drew on some of the most painful moments of his life.
“, know how mean and cruel and unfair life can be sometimes,” Biden said. He added “, found the best way through pain and loss and grief is to find purpose.”
He became a widower at just 30 after losing his wife and infant daughter to a car accident. And just five years ago, he buried his eldest son who was stricken by cancer.
The pandemic forced Biden’s team to abandon the typical convention pageantry and rely instead on a highly-produced, all-virtual affair that has failed to draw the same television ratings as past conventions. The silence was noticeable Thursday night as Biden took the stage to make history in a cavernous hall in downtown Wilmington. His audience consisted of a few do]en reporters and photographers.
,t’s Trump’s turn ne[t. The 5epublican president, who abandoned plans to host his convention in 1orth Carolina and in )lorida, is e[pected to accept his nomination from the White House lawn ne[t week.
,n the meantime, Trump was continuing this week’s swing-state tour on Thursday with a stop near Biden’s birthplace of Scranton, Pennsylvania.