Biden hails Harris as party’s best hope in emotional farewell speech at Democratic convention

CHICAGO – US President Joe Biden cemented the Democratic Party’s elevation of Ms Kamala Harris to lead the fight for the White House against Republican Donald Trump with a convention speech on Aug 19 that praised his Vice-President as the best hope for preserving American democracy.

Mr Biden took centre stage on opening night of the Democratic National Convention, drawing an extended standing ovation from the party faithful and delivering a farewell speech to the party he has served for half a century, even as he has five months left in office.

Wiping away multiple tears after being introduced by his daughter Ashley, Mr Biden waved to the crowd that held signs saying “We (heart) Biden”.

Beaming, he responded: “I love you.”

Mr Biden said: “Are you ready to vote for freedom? Are you ready to vote for democracy and for America? Let me ask you: Are you ready to elect Kamala Harris and (Minnesota Governor) Tim Walz?”

Taking multiple swipes at Trump, Mr Biden promised to be the “best volunteer” that Ms Harris and Mr Walz, her vice-presidential running mate, had ever seen.

Mr Biden’s address in Chicago kicked off a four-day event, fuelled by enthusiasm for Ms Harris and relief that

Mr Biden had abandoned his own re-election bid and endorsed her

to replace him.

Mr Biden’s reluctant decision to step aside on July 21 came after

heavy pressure from party leaders

, who were worried that the 81-year-old incumbent was too old to win or serve another four years.

“I love the job, but I love my country more,” Mr Biden said, drawing chants of “We love Joe”.

Mr Biden, who served as No. 2 to the nation’s first black president, Mr Barack Obama, has urged Democrats to unite behind a candidate who, if triumphant, would become the first woman, who is also black and South Asian, to be elected US president.

Ms Harris is riding a historic whirlwind into the convention: Her campaign has broken records for fund raising, packed arenas with supporters, and turned opinion polls in some battleground states in the Democrats’ favour.

She joined Mr Biden on stage for a hug after he finished his address on Aug 19.

Mr Biden had hoped just a month ago to deliver a high-profile speech later this week to accept the Democratic nomination for another four-year term. Instead, he will travel to California for a holiday.

Mr Biden dropped his re-election bid after

his disastrous debate against Trump

on June 27 prompted long-time allies, major donors and other party supporters to demand that he step aside.

In his speech, Mr Biden touted his administration’s accomplishments – boosting the US economy and strengthening US alliances abroad – and made the case for Americans to elect Ms Harris as his White House successor.

He condemned the racism and white supremacy that continue to plague America, saying these had no place in the nation.

He contrasted Ms Harris, the prosecutor, with Trump, a convicted felon, and catalogued what he called the former president’s foreign policy failures, accusing him of bowing down to Russian President Vladimir Putin and leaving Nato in tatters.

Mr Biden rapped Trump for calling the United States a failing nation. “He’s the loser,” Mr Biden said with fervour.

Unlike most speakers earlier in the programme, Mr Biden acknowledged the anger of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters that gathered outside the convention hall on Aug 19, saying he has been working non-stop to achieve a ceasefire.

“Those protesters out in the street, they have a point,” he said. “A lot of innocent people are being killed on both sides.”

Earlier in the day, thousands of protesters assembled at a nearby park to pressure delegates to drop the party’s military support for Israel’s Gaza offensive.

The pro-Palestinian protesters were fewer than the tens of thousands that organisers had predicted, but a splinter group left the main march and breached a security perimeter near the convention centre, drawing riot police, who detained four people.

Harris cameo

Earlier in the evening, Ms Harris, 59, made a surprise appearance, drawing cheers from the crowd as she vowed to defeat Trump.

“Let us fight for the ideals we hold dear and let us always remember – when we fight, we win!” Ms Harris said to roars from the crowd.

Democrats also cheered their failed 2016 presidential candidate, Mrs Hillary Clinton, whose loss to Trump dashed hopes of installing the first woman in the White House.

Mrs Clinton, who became the first woman to secure a major US party’s presidential nomination, drew a standing ovation as she took the stage on Aug 19.

“The story of my life and the history of our country is that progress is possible, but not guaranteed,” said Mrs Clinton, who also lost her bid for the 2008 nomination to Mr Obama.

She commended Mr Biden for restoring decency, dignity and competency to the White House.

“And now, we are writing a new chapter in America’s story,” Mrs Clinton said. “Kamala has the character, experience and vision to lead us forward.”

Mrs Clinton took several shots at her former nemesis.

“Donald Trump fell asleep at his own trial and when he woke up, he made his own kind of history – the first person to run for president with 34 felony convictions,” she said to laughter. REUTERS