Biden Passes Torch to Harris: "I Did My Best for the US... Democracy Must Be Preserved" (Summary)

The First Day of the Democratic Party Convention

"Are you ready to vote for freedom?"

"Are you ready to vote for democracy and America?"

"I ask you, are you ready to vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz?"

On the first day of the U.S. Democratic National Convention (DNC) on the 19th (local time), President Joe Biden took the podium and posed three consecutive questions. Emphasizing that his difficult decision to forgo re-election was a courageous act to protect democracy, he also expressed strong support for the new Democratic presidential candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris, stating she would "protect the soul of America" against former President Donald Trump. This moment was seen as passing the 'torch' to a new era as he approached the end of a political career spanning over half a century. The crowd at the venue responded "Yes" to all three questions and continuously chanted "We love Joe" throughout Biden's speech.

[Image source=Getty Images Yonhap News]

Taking the stage amid cheers of "We love Joe"... Emphasizing threats to democracy and term achievements

That evening, President Biden delivered his speech at the Democratic National Convention held at the United Center in Chicago, stating, "We stand at a historic turning point where the fate of our country and the world for decades to come can be decided," and vowed, "We will fight to protect the soul of America." When Biden was introduced by his daughter Ashley and took the stage, the audience gave him the loudest standing ovation and cheers ever heard. Even after grabbing the microphone, chants of "We love Joe" and "Thank you, Joe" continued for about four minutes, making it difficult for him to start his speech. At one point, he appeared emotional and wiped around his eyes with a tissue.

President Biden began by reflecting on his term since his inauguration in 2021. He said, "We have endured a once-in-a-century pandemic, historic unemployment, and clear threats to democracy," and emphasized, "Then and now, I believe progress is possible. Justice can be achieved, and our best days are not behind us. They lie ahead." He continued, "It is now summer. Winter is over," and raised his voice, "With gratitude, I stand before you this August night to report that democracy has won. Democracy has made progress. Now democracy must be protected."

He also mentioned the January 6 Capitol riot that occurred just before his inauguration. He noted that the place where he took the oath to uphold the Constitution was "just two weeks ago controlled by rioters," warning, "There is no place for political violence in America." By referencing the riot incited by supporters of former President Donald Trump, he reminded that threats to democracy still remain.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

He proudly listed his achievements during his term. President Biden said, "As president, I have ensured America does not retreat but continues to move forward," citing rebuilding the middle class, overcoming the pandemic, economic growth, job creation, small business growth, stock market rallies, easing inflation, and lowering drug prices. He also criticized former President Trump, who defined America as a declining nation, saying, "He is a loser. He was completely wrong." Biden emphasized his infrastructure achievements, saying, "How can we have the strongest economy in the world without the world's best infrastructure?" and even uttered a profanity, saying, "Trump never built a damn thing." He added that the bills passed by the Biden administration have helped so-called 'red states' even more.

President Biden said, "This is no exaggeration; we have made the most remarkable progress in four years," and added, "And when I say 'we,' I mean Kamala Harris and me," praising Vice President Harris, the next presidential candidate. He also noted that violent crime nationwide has dropped to its lowest level in 50 years, asserting, "If you put a prosecutor (Harris) in the White House Oval Office instead of a convicted criminal (Trump), crime will decrease even more."

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

To colleagues who urged resignation: "I was not angry... I love my country"

Originally a Democratic presidential candidate, President Biden made the courageous decision to withdraw from the race last month and endorse Vice President Harris after his first TV debate in June sparked intense controversy over his age. Accordingly, Biden's speech at the convention was widely seen as a meaningful moment to pass the torch to the new presidential candidate, Vice President Harris.

President Biden also said he was not angry at Democratic colleagues who urged him to resign. He stated, "The stories that I was angry at everyone who said I should step down are not true," and emphasized, "I love my job. But I love my country more. We must protect democracy." The attendees at the venue cheered, "We love Joe." On the main live broadcast screen, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who had been rumored to have conflicts with Biden, was briefly shown holding a "We love Joe" sign.

Additionally, President Biden stressed that Vice President Harris is the right person to lead America compared to Republican presidential candidate former President Trump. He said, "Kamala and Tim (Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz) will protect Social Security and Medicare. But Trump wants to cut them," raising his voice. He added, "Kamala and Tim will protect your freedom, voting rights, and civil rights," and continued, "Trump will do everything to ban abortion nationwide," while "Kamala and Tim will do everything they can to protect abortion rights."

Calling his choice of Harris as running mate the "best decision" of his political career, President Biden said, "She will be a president respected by world leaders," and "She already is." He also said, "I have made many mistakes in my 50-year political career, but I did my best," and concluded, "America, I gave you my best."

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Biden's speech at this convention attracted early attention as it could be the biggest stage marking the end of a political career spanning over half a century. Elected as a senator at age 29, he summarized his political life by saying, "I was too young to be in the Senate. I wasn't even 30 yet," and "I am too old to remain president." However, President Biden added, "I want you to know how grateful I am," and "Honestly, I am more optimistic about the future now than when I was elected senator at 29."

The New York Times (NYT) described the event as "one of the last significant moments in Biden's political career," reporting that he passed the torch to Harris while shouting, "Democracy must be protected." The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) evaluated the first day of the Democratic National Convention as "a theme of gratitude toward Biden," calling it "a bittersweet dual meaning." The Guardian reported, "As expected, the tone was that of a farewell."

[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

Hillary also spoke on the first day... "Harris will break the glass ceiling"... Obama to speak on day two

Before President Biden, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also took the stage as a speaker urging support for Vice President Harris. Having challenged to become the first female president in the 2016 election but lost to Republican former President Trump, Clinton said, "Together, we will crack the highest, hardest, and last (glass) ceiling," and raised her voice, "On the other side of the glass ceiling, Kamala Harris will raise her hand to take the presidential oath." She also targeted former President Trump, saying, "He is the first person running for president after being convicted of 34 felony counts," and emphasized the "criminal Trump vs. prosecutor Harris" narrative by noting, "Harris, as a prosecutor, caught murderers and drug dealers."

The Democratic National Convention is scheduled to continue for four days starting from this day. On the second day, the 20th, speeches are planned by former President Barack Obama and his wife, as well as Vice President Harris's husband, the 'Second Gentleman' Doug Emhoff. On the third day, Governor Walz, the vice presidential candidate, will deliver his acceptance speech. Former President Bill Clinton and former Speaker Pelosi will also take the stage that day. Vice President Harris is expected to unveil her vision for her administration in her acceptance speech on the final day of the convention, the 22nd.