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President Joe Biden wrapped up the convention’s opening night, beginning his long political farewell with a 50-minute address that both framed his own legacy and signalled he was ready to start ceding control of the party to Vice President Kamala Harris.
He ended by telling those still listening: “I gave my best to you for 50 years.”
Watch Ashley Biden’s introduction for her father, followed by his full speech below:
Thank you for joining me, Chris Zappone, and Farrah Tomazin for the live coverage of the third day of the Democratic National Convention.
A quick recap of the day’s events:
Please join us tomorrow for day two of the convention, with the theme “A Bold Vision for America’s Future” and featuring speeches by former US president Barack Obama and second gentleman Doug Emhoff.
A few minutes after Joe Biden began his speech, some protesters from the Abandon Biden movement unfurled a protest sign that read “Stop arming Israel” in the Florida delegation section. Minnesota delegates were also pictured staging a silent protest, holding their hands to their mouths as the president spoke.
The group, which is pushing for third-party candidates, has been campaigning against Biden’s reelection campaign since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
Israel’s counterattack in Gaza has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities, and devastated much of the territory.
Minnesota delegates hold a silent protest during Joe Biden’s speech.Credit: Bloomberg
The war has plunged the territory of 2.3 million people into a humanitarian catastrophe, with aid groups now fearing an outbreak of polio.
The sign was quickly wrestled away from the protesters and the lights in that section of the convention were turned off.
Other convention attendees responded to the protest by chanting “we love Joe” and holding up their banners in support of the president.
AP
As his speech concludes, Joe Biden vows to Kamala Harris and Tim Walz he will be the “best volunteer” their campaign has ever seen.
The president then quotes the song American Anthem by Norah Jones, a tune that he says means a lot to him and his family and “captures the best of who we are as a nation”.
“I can’t sing ... so I’m not going to try, I will just quote,” Biden says. “The work and prayers of centuries have brought us to this day.
Joe Biden is congratulated by his family after his valedictory speech.Credit: AP
“What shall our legacy be? What shall our children say? Let me know in my heart when my days are through, America, America, I gave my best to you.”
Biden signs off, saying he made a lot of mistakes in his career but over 50 years gave his heart and soul to “my nation and I’ve been blessed a million times in return with the support of the American people”.
“I remember being too young to be in the Senate because I wasn’t 30 yet, and too old to stay as president,” he says.
“But I hope you know how grateful I am to all of you. I can honestly say – and I am giving my word as a Biden – I’m more optimistic about the future than I was when I was elected as a 29-year-old United States senator. I mean it. Folks, you just have to remember who we are.”
Joe Biden wraps up his valedictory speech on the Democratic National Convention stage and is joined by Vice President Kamala Harris, to the cheers of the crowd at the United Centre in Chicago.
The president and first lady Jill Biden will head directly to southern California’s Santa Ynez Valley for a holiday, according to the White House.
The trip to the stunning valley known for its wineries – Oscar-winning film Sideways was filmed there – could give Biden a chance to lie low during a week when Democrats want the focus to be on Harris and her running mate Tim Walz, as they make their pitch to many Americans who are just beginning to tune in to the 2024 presidential election.
with AP
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris hugs President Joe Biden after his speech.Credit: AP
Joe Biden continues: “Selecting Kamala was the very first decision I made when I became our nominee, and it was the best decision I made my whole career.”
“We’ve not only gotten to know each other, to become close friends. She’s tough, she’s experienced, and she has enormous integrity. Her story represents the best American story.
“And like many of our best presidents, she was also vice president.”
Biden served as Barack Obama’s vice president for two terms.
The Bidens and Obamas in 2009.Credit: AP
The president said: “I’ve got five months left in my presidency. I’ve got a lot to do. I intend to get it done.
“It’s been the honour of my lifetime to serve as your president. I love the job, but I love my country more. ”
Nancy Pelosi and other Democratic delegates cheer for US President Joe Biden.Credit: AP
Joe Biden says he has fundamentally transformed the US economy.
“Our economy grows from the middle out, from the bottom up, instead of the top down.”
Biden’s speech so far is a combination of the president’s record, the message that the work isn’t done, and that voters need to support Kamala Harris.
Then he says he knows more foreign leaders by their first names than anybody else “just because I’m so damn old”.
Biden notes that when Donald Trump speaks, he says America is a failing nation. “He says we’re losing … he’s the loser. He’s dead wrong.”
After recalling his January 2021 inauguration, Joe Biden says: “I stand before you now on this August night to report that democracy has prevailed.”
“Democracy has delivered, and now democracy must be preserved.”
He adds: “As your president, I’m determined to keep America moving forward, not going back. We’re growing our economy, we’re improving our quality of life, and we’re building a better America.”
Delegates wave signs for US President Joe Biden.Credit: AP
Biden then talks about his administration’s efforts to rebuild manufacturing, grow higher paying jobs that benefit the middle class.
“Our Republican friends and others made sure they go abroad to get the cheapest labour. We used to import products and export jobs. Now we export American products and create American jobs right here in America.”
The crowd responds by chanting “Union Joe”. Biden is the first American president to walk a picket line with a union.
This must be so bittersweet for Joe Biden. Making a speech he never expected he’d make, to chants of “we love Joe” from a party that desperately wanted him out of the race a few weeks ago.
As a side note, he’s fired up – despite the late hour (it’s nearly 11pm Chicago time).
His energy is reminiscent of his State of the Union speech – the kind of energy that Dems wanted to see at the debate.
If he’d turned up like this against Trump, maybe he would still be the nominee.
Politics is wild.
Joe Biden is making a fiery speech at the convention.Credit: Bloomberg