Biden’s final stand: Endorses Harris, condemns Trump at DNC
The American president, Joe Biden, received a standing ovation upon his arrival at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Monday evening, as reported by France Presse and relayed by Agerpres.
The Democratic leader, who last month withdrew from the reelection race, was applauded for several minutes by his party, whose delegates chanted, "We love Joe!"
The first day of the Convention in Chicago was dedicated to President Biden, for whom this might be his last major appearance before the members of the party he has served for half a century.
In the speech given on this occasion, President Joe Biden strongly defended the achievements of his administration, while also stating that Vice President Kamala Harris is now the best hope for preserving American democracy.
"Are you ready to vote for freedom? Are you ready to vote for democracy and for America? So, are you ready to elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz?" Biden asked rhetorically.
In his speech, Biden repeatedly attacked the Republican candidate, President Donald Trump, whom he characterised as "a loser." "You can't claim to be a patriot only when you win," Biden added, referring to the January 2021 assault on the Capitol, inspired by Trump after he lost the presidential election.
Biden also promised that he would be "the best volunteer" that Harris and Minnesota Governor Walz, her vice-presidential candidate, have ever had.
Unlike in many European countries, where the elected president must withdraw from the party they ran for—such as in the Republic of Moldova—American presidents remain active members of their parties.
The Democratic Convention in Chicago lasts four days and will conclude on Thursday with the speech in which Vice President Kamala Harris will accept the nomination as the Democratic Party's candidate for the presidency of the United States. Harris is the first woman of colour with Asian roots to run for the White House from one of the two major American parties.
The latest opinion polls currently place Harris slightly ahead of Trump in the popular vote, as well as in many of the so-called "key states" or battleground states, which will decide the November presidential elections.
The first Harris-Trump debate will take place in September.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
