After a week of moving addresses, we hear from the man who could become the 46th president of the United States. Joe Biden took the stage during Thursday’s Democratic National Convention to speak for the first time as the party’s presidential candidate.
The former vice president’s remarks followed an introduction from his children, Ashley and Hunter, and he began his speech by quoting civil rights activist Ella Baker.
“‘Give people light and they will find the way.’ Give people light. Those are words for our time,” he said. “The current president has cloaked America in darkness for much too long. Too much anger. Too much fear, too much division.”
“Here and now I give you my word: If you entrust me with the presidency, I will draw on the best of us, not the worst,” Biden continued. “I will be an ally of the light, not of the darkness. It’s time for us, for We the People, to come together. For make no mistake, united we can and will overcome this season of darkness in America.”
With the evening’s theme set as “America’s Promise,” Biden spoke on how he plans to work for everyone following the election in November.
“While I’ll be a Democratic candidate, I’ll be an American president. I’ll work hard for those who didn’t support me, as hard for them as I did for those who did vote for me,” he promised. “That’s the job of a president, to represent all of us, not just our base or our party. This is not a partisan moment. This must be an American moment.”
“America isn’t just a collection of clashing interests, of red states or blue states,” Biden said. “We’re so much bigger than that.”
He continued, “This is life-changing election. This will determine what America’s going to look like for a long, long time. Character is on the ballot, compassion is on the ballot, decency, science, democracy. They’re all on the ballot. Who we are as a nation, what we stand for, and most importantly, who we want to be. That’s all on the ballot. And the choice could not be more clear.”
Though he never mentioned him by name, Biden spoke of how Donald Trump mishandled the coronavirus pandemic and the current state of the economy. He then thanked Barack Obama as “a president our children could and did look up to.”
“No one’s going to say that about the current occupant of the White House,” he added.
Biden announced that his first order of business if he is elected president is to handle the COVID-19 pandemic, and he took a moment to speak directly to those who have lost loved ones to the virus.
“I know that deep black hole that opens up in the middle of your chest and you feel like you’re being sucked into it,” he spoke. “I know how mean, cruel, and unfair life can be sometimes. But I’ve learned two things. First, your loved one may have left this Earth, but they’ll never leave your heart. They’ll always be with you. You’ll always hear them. And second, I found the best way through pain and loss and grief is to find purpose.”
Biden praised his running mate, Kamala Harris, as “a powerful voice for this nation.” He said his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, will be a great first lady. “She loves this country so much.” He said his family lifts him up and gives him strength. “While he’s no longer with us, Beau inspires me every day.”
He also shared a story about meeting George Floyd’s daughter, 6-year-old Gianna, and recalled her telling him, “Daddy changed the world.”
“Her words burrowed deep in my heart. Maybe George Floyd’s murder was a breaking point,” he said. “Maybe John Lewis’ passing the inspiration, but however it’s come to be, however it’s happened, America is ready — in John’s words — to lay down, ‘the heavy burden of hate at last’ and end the hard work of rooting out our systemic racism.”
“American history tells us that it’s been in our darkest moments that we’ve made our greatest progress, that we found the light,” Biden wrapped up. “In this dark moment, I feel we’re poised to make great progress again. That we can find the light once more.”
Following his speech, Biden was joined onstage by his wife — who congratulated him with a big hug — as well as Harris and her husband, Douglas Emhoff. They moved outside the Delaware convention center to greet supporters who attended a drive-in viewing party and to watch fireworks.
It is with great honor and humility that I accept this nomination for President of the United States of America.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 21, 2020
Following his speech, many stars took to Twitter to congratulate him and celebrate his heartfelt address.
Such an effective and powerful speech from @JoeBiden. I’ve forgotten what decency and cogent and compentent leadership looks like- Can’t wait for November 3rd!! #bidenharris2020
— Mandy Moore (@TheMandyMoore) August 21, 2020
FANTASTIC SPEECH BY BIDEN!! I BELIEVE WE WILL SURVIVE THIS ERA!! I BELIEVE WE WILL!
— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) August 21, 2020
You were amazing tonight. Can’t wait to cast my vote for you. Thank you for inviting love and light and hope into the hardship of our country right now. Leading with love and empathy. Yes yes yes. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ https://t.co/qVU9VlyVrc
— Sara Bareilles (@SaraBareilles) August 21, 2020
JOE BIDEN FOR THE WIN! DELAWARE WILL SAVE US ALL! FLY EAGLES FLY! #BidenHarris2020
— Aubrey Plaza (@evilhag) August 21, 2020
@JoeBiden this speech and leadership is what America needs right now. #UnitedStatesOfAmerica
— octavia spencer (@octaviaspencer) August 21, 2020
Joe Biden is a working class guy. Trump has a solid gold toilet.
Trump has had 4 years to make life better for the American people.
He failed. Spectacularly.
Joe Biden has lived through trauma, single parenthood, losing a soldier son &has been a public servant his whole life.
— Debra Messing✍? (@DebraMessing) August 21, 2020
You were incredible tonight @JoeBiden . Thank you for bringing us back to empathy, hope , decency and inspiring purpose. Proud to be voting for you in November. https://t.co/lf47P90gm7
— Beth Behrs (@BethBehrs) August 21, 2020
Way to go, @JoeBiden. We’re with you. We NEED you to win. Get involved: https://t.co/1jTduAYNEH
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) August 21, 2020
Brilliant. Inspiring. #DNCConvention2020
— Jane Lynch (@janemarielynch) August 21, 2020
Cheering & in tears watching @JoeBiden right now. Wow…what an incredible speech!
— Colton Haynes (@ColtonLHaynes) August 21, 2020
God bless you @JoeBiden You made us proud. You will make us proud. And your message, your decency, your experience and your strength is vitally needed. You have my vote and my advocacy. Happily and gratefully.
— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) August 21, 2020
In response to Biden’s speech, Trump took to Twitter to say it was all “just words.”
“In 47 years, Joe did none of the things of which he now speaks,” he posted. “He will never change, just words!”
In 47 years, Joe did none of the things of which he now speaks. He will never change, just words!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 21, 2020
Biden formally accepted the Democratic nomination for president on Tuesday, calling it “the honor of my life.” He was also on hand during Wednesday’s DNC, when running mate Kamala Harris vowed, “Joe and I believe we can built that beloved community, one that is strong and decent, just and kind.”
