As president, Biden will ‘trust science’ — Michelle Obama
MILWAUKEE, United States (AFP) - Former vice president Joe Biden will ‘’tell the truth and trust science’’ if he is elected to the White House in November, former First Lady Michelle Obama said on Monday as Democrats kicked off their now-virtual convention.
With the Democratic party poised to officially anoint the 77-year-old Biden as its presidential candidate, President Donald Trump defied coronavirus concerns and staged competing events in Wisconsin and neighboring Minnesota.
Michelle Obama was given the primetime slot on the opening night of the Democratic convention, which was to have been held over four days in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but which is now taking place almost entirely online because of the COVID-19 outbreak.
In excerpts of her remarks released ahead of her taped speech, Michelle Obama said Biden was a ‘’terrific vice president’’ during the eight years he served as her husband Barack Obama’s number two.
‘’I know Joe. He is a profoundly decent man guided by faith,’’ she said.
‘’He knows what it takes to rescue an economy, beat back a pandemic and lead our country,’’ the former First Lady said.
‘’He will tell the truth, and trust science,’’ she said in a jab at Trump, who has been accused of repeatedly ignoring the advice of his scientific advisers on how to deal with the COVID-19 epidemic.
‘’He will make smart plans and manage a good team,’’ Obama said. ‘’And he will govern as someone who’s lived a life that the rest of us can recognize.’’
Trump flew on Air Force One meanwhile to Mankato, Minnesota, and Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and delivered remarks to supporters gathered on the airport tarmac.
Speaking in Oshkosh, Trump accused Biden and his running mate Harris of seeking to enact ‘’crazy socialist policies.’’
‘’This is the most dangerous election we’ve ever had,’’ Trump said. ‘’It’ll be another Venezuela. This will be a very large-scale Venezuela if they win.’’
‘’The only way we’re going to lose this election is if the election is rigged,’’ he said.