President Joe Biden will give the keynote address Monday night at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, making a symbolic handoff of his party to Vice President Kamala Harris and pressing the case for what he says is the threat to the country if Donald Trump returns to the White House.
Four weeks ago, Biden ended his bid for reelection as his party descended into a crisis of confidence over his chances against the Republican nominee after a devastating performance in their June debate. Now, Biden is set to receive a rousing welcome from many of the same officials who were itching for him to exit the race.
Biden91裸聊视频檚 aides said the president will use his remarks to deliver the argument for why he believes Harris must replace him and defeat Trump, whom he says is a threat to democracy. Biden will also play up some of his popular accomplishments before he steps out of the spotlight for Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, to take center stage the rest of the week, the aides said.
Biden was greeted by chants of 91裸聊视频淭hank you, Joe!91裸聊视频 on Thursday when he appeared with Harris in Maryland, and aides said he was pleased by the consolidation in the party behind Harris. Biden endorsed Harris minutes after ending his campaign, helping orchestrate a near-seamless handoff of his political operation to his vice president and avoiding a contentious fight in Chicago over the party91裸聊视频檚 future.
While Biden is no longer on the top of the ticket, his influence will be felt in Chicago, albeit in a far smaller role than had he remained the nominee.
Speakers at the convention are expected to make reference to Biden91裸聊视频檚 accomplishments, from helping lead the country out of the COVID-19 pandemic to winning passage of major infrastructure, climate and health care investments. Harris has used Biden91裸聊视频檚 policies as the foundation of her own policy plans.
The convention91裸聊视频檚 logo still calls back to the president91裸聊视频檚 campaign logo, and signage in the United Center will feature a quote from Biden91裸聊视频檚 Oval Office address explaining his decision to drop out, when he exhorted voters to back Harris: 91裸聊视频淗istory is in your hands,91裸聊视频 he said then.
On Monday, signs will feature a regular Biden-ism: 91裸聊视频淪pread the faith.91裸聊视频
First lady Jill Biden and other members of Biden91裸聊视频檚 family will be in the arena to watch his speech, which will serve as a coda to his 50 years in Democratic politics. Harris was expected to attend that night. Biden was not scheduled to be at the convention when Harris speaks in the prime spot on Thursday evening.
Zeke Miller, The Associated Press