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Jimmy Williams
President Joe Biden delivered what may be his final major political speech on Monday, marking a pivotal moment at the Democratic National Convention. Speaking to a raucous crowd at the United Center, Biden faced numerous interruptions from party loyalists chanting, “We love Joe,” forcing him to wait nearly three minutes before continuing his remarks.
Initially slated to speak on the final night of the convention as the Democratic nominee, Biden instead took the stage earlier as a retiring leader, formally endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor. Reflecting on his career, Biden declared, “I love my job, but I love my country more.” In one of his final lines, he poignantly quoted a song by Gene Scheer, saying, “America, America, I gave my best to you.”
Biden’s speech followed a day of convention disruptions and protests outside the venue, where demonstrators voiced opposition to his handling of Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza. In his strongest remarks to date on the conflict, Biden acknowledged the protesters’ concerns, calling for a ceasefire and expressing sympathy for the innocent lives lost on both sides.
“The protesters outside, they have a point,” Biden conceded during his address. He also pledged that his administration was working to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza and bring an end to the violence. “Finally, finally, finally deliver a ceasefire and end this war,” he said, pounding the lectern for emphasis.
Throughout his speech, Biden promoted the accomplishments of his nearly four years in office, emphasizing progress made on infrastructure, gun safety, and reducing prescription drug costs. The country was no longer in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic, wages were rising, and inflation was falling, Biden noted. However, he stressed that more work remained and assured Democrats that Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, were the right candidates to continue that progress.
“I promise I’ll be the best volunteer the Harris and Walz campaign has ever seen,” Biden declared, reinforcing his commitment to support the new leadership team.
Biden’s address also offered a glimpse of what might have been an acceptance speech for a second term, had he not withdrawn from the race last month. Democratic leaders had urged Biden to step aside after a series of debates and internal discussions revealed growing momentum behind Harris. Despite his decision, Biden remained a key figure in the convention, continuing to draw sharp contrasts with former President Donald Trump.
In his speech, Biden revisited familiar criticisms of Trump, portraying him as a threat to democracy and a puppet of authoritarian leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin. He cited Trump’s failure to condemn white supremacists during the 2017 Charlottesville rally as a turning point that prompted his initial run for president. Once again, Biden framed the 2024 election as a battle for the soul of the nation, urging voters to support Harris as a means of safeguarding democracy.
“Democracy has prevailed, democracy has delivered, and now, democracy must be preserved,” Biden said, as delegates cheered.
Biden also took the opportunity to reaffirm his longstanding support for labor unions, a central theme throughout his political career. “Wall Street didn’t build America,” he told the crowd. “The middle class built America, and unions built the middle class.”
UAW President Shawn Fain, who spoke earlier in the evening, lauded Biden as the first sitting president to walk a picket line with striking auto workers, underscoring the administration’s alignment with the labor movement.
As the night drew to a close, speakers, including Delaware Senator Chris Coons and South Carolina Representative James Clyburn, praised Biden for his leadership during his presidency and for passing the torch to Harris. First Lady Jill Biden also offered heartfelt remarks, noting her husband’s dedication to causes greater than himself.
“Joe dug deep into his soul and decided to no longer seek reelection, endorsing Kamala Harris,” she said, underscoring the gravity of his decision.
For Biden, a victory by Harris in November would represent not only a continuation of his administration’s policies but also a significant moment in the history of American politics. As Clyburn put it, “If Kamala Harris wins, Joe Biden will go down in history as one of the most transformational presidents this country has ever had.”
