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In a symbolic passing of the torch, President Joe Biden will address the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Monday, marking the end of his chapter as the party’s leader while heralding the dawn of Kamala Harris’s candidacy.
With November’s election looming, Biden’s speech will likely strike a balance between reminiscence and resolve, as he seeks to energize the party base and propel Harris toward victory.
Just weeks after his shocking exit and Harris’s remarkable rise, President Biden will be honored with a hero’s farewell by some of the same individuals who had cited his age as a reason for their lack of confidence in his leadership.
This unexpected turn of events serves as a testament to the ever-changing tides of politics and the enduring respect for Biden’s legacy.
As he exits the stage, President Biden will likely throw his full weight behind Kamala Harris, citing her unique blend of experience, vision, and historic representation as the reasons she is best equipped to finish the job he started.
With Trump’s Republican faction posing a persistent threat to democratic norms, Biden will argue that Harris is the leader America needs to protect its values and institutions.
He will be joined by his trusted deputy, Kamala Harris, in a symbolic show of unity and solidarity. This joint appearance, though brief, will speak volumes about the Democratic Party’s cohesion and enthusiasm for Harris’s candidacy, as she prepares to carry the torch and build on Biden’s accomplishments.
A major protest is brewing in Chicago, casting a shadow over President Biden’s farewell address and underscoring the deep divisions surrounding his administration’s support for Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Biden said on Sunday he felt “good, real good” about his speech, after spending the weekend at the Camp David presidential retreat in rural Maryland fine-tuning his address with top aides.
Now a lame-duck single-term president, Biden will be all too aware that his legacy hinges on whether Harris can go on to beat Trump — and that if she doesn’t, many will blame him for clinging on so long.
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First Lady Jill Biden, 73, a staunch defender of her husband who was with him throughout the final stages of his fateful decision on July 21, will also take to the stage in Chicago.
However, there will undoubtedly be mixed emotions for the ageing president, who has watched Harris chase down Trump in the polls and enthuse voters in a way he never managed during his time as a candidate.
The script has been flipped in the nation’s capital, with President Biden assuming the role of warm-up act for Kamala Harris’s main event. Her Thursday speech has become the most eagerly awaited, surpassing expectations that once favored the President.
President Biden’s appearance at the conference will be a brief one. Following his speech, he’ll promptly depart for a six-day sojourn in California, leaving the spotlight to shine on Kamala Harris during her keynote address.
As the curtain begins to close on President Biden’s impressive five-decade political tenure, Democrats in Chicago will extend a warm and affectionate welcome. This heartfelt reception will underscore his lasting impact on the party and the nation.
