Dems Deliver a Thunderous Ovation to the President They Ousted
In one of his last chances to speak to a significant national audience, the president emphasized his accomplishments and endorsed Kamala Harris as his successor.
TroibNews 
**CHICAGO —** On Monday night, President Joe Biden engaged with enthusiastic applause from Democratic convention attendees for nearly an hour. The admiration reflected not only his past contributions but also his recent choice to step aside, allowing his vice president a chance to lead the campaign against Donald Trump once more.
Concluding well past midnight in the Eastern Time Zone, the 81-year-old president warmly embraced Kamala Harris, embracing a role he had long resisted: passing the torch to her for the upcoming campaign.
"I love the job," Biden told the packed arena. "But I love my country more."
Relegated to the opening night of the Democratic convention, Biden took one of his last opportunities to reach a significant national audience, showcasing his administration’s achievements. His affectionate hug with Harris at the end of his address solidified his endorsement of her historic presidential bid, a move that contributed to a transformative shift at the top of the Democratic ticket, causing strife within his party but ultimately reshaping the campaign landscape.
Despite the emotional atmosphere, a more complex reality lingered; many of those chanting “Thank you, Joe” were the same Democrats who had pressured him to step aside only weeks earlier. While Biden received praise Monday for his selfless act in favor of Harris, his initial resistance to relinquishing control had threatened to divide his party and could have paved a smoother path for Trump to the presidency.
Divisions within the party were momentarily obscured by an outpouring of “We Love Joe” signs and numerous ovations during the celebratory evening meant to honor him. However, the event ran significantly behind schedule, delaying Biden's entrance until nearly 11:30 p.m. Eastern Time, which frustrated some Democratic allies.
Emotional, Biden wiped tears away after being introduced by his daughter Ashley. Yet as he delved into his prepared remarks, he adopted a tone of defiance, emphatically recounting his accomplishments on various pressing issues, from the economy to climate change and crime. He made a clear effort to include his running mate in the accolades.
"Thank you, Kamala, too," Biden said at one point, correcting the crowd after another chant of “Thank you, Joe.” He later asserted, “We’ve had the most extraordinary four years of progress ever. When I say ‘we,’ I mean Kamala and I.”
Biden also focused much of his address on the perceived threats posed by Trump, decrying the Republican's unfounded allegations of election fraud as well as his disrespect towards war veterans.
"Donald Trump calls America a failing nation. He says we’re losing," Biden emphasized. "He’s the loser. He’s dead wrong."
He went on to deliver sharp critiques of his former opponent regarding key issues like immigration and abortion, resonating with the evening's theme that Harris is well-equipped to confront a candidate with a criminal past.
"It’s time to put a prosecutor in the Oval Office instead of a convicted felon," Biden stated.
The night blended feelings of joy and relief, with many Democrats concerned that November could have seen a sweeping defeat had Biden remained as the nominee. Now, with renewed vigor, they believed a younger, dynamic Harris could bring unity and secure the White House.
However, the focus of the night was on Biden, whose legislative accomplishments are often compared to those of Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson. His arrival on stage was met with cheers that persisted for more than four minutes, evoking emotional responses from audience members as he delivered a capstone speech that marked over five decades in politics. His journey began with a Senate election in 1972, shadowed by the tragic loss of his wife and daughter in a car accident shortly thereafter.
After decades distinguished as a Senate leader, he served eight years as vice president under Barack Obama. More family tragedy ensued with the passing of his son Beau, bringing his political career to the brink of an end before Trump’s 2016 victory spurred his return to the political arena. Following a remarkable comeback in the Democratic primaries, he went on to defeat the incumbent president in 2020, leading the nation through the pandemic while addressing two foreign conflicts and tackling inflation alongside deep-rooted partisan tensions.
Yet instead of accepting a nomination for a second term on Thursday, Biden had taken a backseat on Monday.
Biden's rapid decline from power stemmed from his lackluster debate performance against Trump in June, which ignited a historic backlash within his party. High-profile Democrats soon concluded that Biden was too old to mount another campaign.
Though Biden initially resisted these pressures, he ultimately recognized the political realities of dwindling fundraising and poor polling numbers. He has expressed dissatisfaction with the events that led to his departure, even as he promised to support Harris and pledged to be her most dedicated volunteer.
Following the convention, the president and first lady departed for a vacation in California. Just a few blocks from the venue, expressions of public discontent were evident, as thousands participated in protests against the White House's handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict and human rights concerns in Gaza. Additionally, Biden would pass onto Harris the challenges of navigating unpopular policies on immigration and inflation.
Nevertheless, Biden’s decision to step aside for Harris has revitalized his party's prospects in the upcoming elections. The vice president's polling surge and record fundraising have broadened the party's potential pathways to winning the Electoral College and possibly reclaiming one or both Congressional chambers.
As Biden takes a step back for the rest of the month, he and his senior team are concentrating on the final aspects of his legacy. Plans are in place for several noteworthy appearances in the near future, culminating in a farewell address set for January. Those in the West Wing are keenly focused on Biden's legacy, defining Harris’s campaign as an essential part of this narrative — one that hinges on defeating Trump and potentially electing the nation's first woman president. A defeat, they understand, could tarnish Biden’s legacy, framing him as an unpopular president who squandered a winnable election.
However, Monday was dedicated entirely to honoring the president. Periodic chants of “We love, Joe” resonated throughout. Signs reading “We (heart) Joe” were distributed among attendees. Over half the crowd stood through his more than 50-minute address, and numerous Biden family members gathered to witness the speeches.
The president was introduced by both First Lady Jill Biden and his daughter, with several speakers paying tribute to him, including Harris, who made a surprise early appearance, stating, “We are forever grateful to you.”
"He brought decency, dignity and competence back to the White House," former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton remarked from the stage. "Thank you, Joe Biden, for your lifetime of service and leadership."
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
Concluding well past midnight in the Eastern Time Zone, the 81-year-old president warmly embraced Kamala Harris, embracing a role he had long resisted: passing the torch to her for the upcoming campaign.
"I love the job," Biden told the packed arena. "But I love my country more."
Relegated to the opening night of the Democratic convention, Biden took one of his last opportunities to reach a significant national audience, showcasing his administration’s achievements. His affectionate hug with Harris at the end of his address solidified his endorsement of her historic presidential bid, a move that contributed to a transformative shift at the top of the Democratic ticket, causing strife within his party but ultimately reshaping the campaign landscape.
Despite the emotional atmosphere, a more complex reality lingered; many of those chanting “Thank you, Joe” were the same Democrats who had pressured him to step aside only weeks earlier. While Biden received praise Monday for his selfless act in favor of Harris, his initial resistance to relinquishing control had threatened to divide his party and could have paved a smoother path for Trump to the presidency.
Divisions within the party were momentarily obscured by an outpouring of “We Love Joe” signs and numerous ovations during the celebratory evening meant to honor him. However, the event ran significantly behind schedule, delaying Biden's entrance until nearly 11:30 p.m. Eastern Time, which frustrated some Democratic allies.
Emotional, Biden wiped tears away after being introduced by his daughter Ashley. Yet as he delved into his prepared remarks, he adopted a tone of defiance, emphatically recounting his accomplishments on various pressing issues, from the economy to climate change and crime. He made a clear effort to include his running mate in the accolades.
"Thank you, Kamala, too," Biden said at one point, correcting the crowd after another chant of “Thank you, Joe.” He later asserted, “We’ve had the most extraordinary four years of progress ever. When I say ‘we,’ I mean Kamala and I.”
Biden also focused much of his address on the perceived threats posed by Trump, decrying the Republican's unfounded allegations of election fraud as well as his disrespect towards war veterans.
"Donald Trump calls America a failing nation. He says we’re losing," Biden emphasized. "He’s the loser. He’s dead wrong."
He went on to deliver sharp critiques of his former opponent regarding key issues like immigration and abortion, resonating with the evening's theme that Harris is well-equipped to confront a candidate with a criminal past.
"It’s time to put a prosecutor in the Oval Office instead of a convicted felon," Biden stated.
The night blended feelings of joy and relief, with many Democrats concerned that November could have seen a sweeping defeat had Biden remained as the nominee. Now, with renewed vigor, they believed a younger, dynamic Harris could bring unity and secure the White House.
However, the focus of the night was on Biden, whose legislative accomplishments are often compared to those of Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson. His arrival on stage was met with cheers that persisted for more than four minutes, evoking emotional responses from audience members as he delivered a capstone speech that marked over five decades in politics. His journey began with a Senate election in 1972, shadowed by the tragic loss of his wife and daughter in a car accident shortly thereafter.
After decades distinguished as a Senate leader, he served eight years as vice president under Barack Obama. More family tragedy ensued with the passing of his son Beau, bringing his political career to the brink of an end before Trump’s 2016 victory spurred his return to the political arena. Following a remarkable comeback in the Democratic primaries, he went on to defeat the incumbent president in 2020, leading the nation through the pandemic while addressing two foreign conflicts and tackling inflation alongside deep-rooted partisan tensions.
Yet instead of accepting a nomination for a second term on Thursday, Biden had taken a backseat on Monday.
Biden's rapid decline from power stemmed from his lackluster debate performance against Trump in June, which ignited a historic backlash within his party. High-profile Democrats soon concluded that Biden was too old to mount another campaign.
Though Biden initially resisted these pressures, he ultimately recognized the political realities of dwindling fundraising and poor polling numbers. He has expressed dissatisfaction with the events that led to his departure, even as he promised to support Harris and pledged to be her most dedicated volunteer.
Following the convention, the president and first lady departed for a vacation in California. Just a few blocks from the venue, expressions of public discontent were evident, as thousands participated in protests against the White House's handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict and human rights concerns in Gaza. Additionally, Biden would pass onto Harris the challenges of navigating unpopular policies on immigration and inflation.
Nevertheless, Biden’s decision to step aside for Harris has revitalized his party's prospects in the upcoming elections. The vice president's polling surge and record fundraising have broadened the party's potential pathways to winning the Electoral College and possibly reclaiming one or both Congressional chambers.
As Biden takes a step back for the rest of the month, he and his senior team are concentrating on the final aspects of his legacy. Plans are in place for several noteworthy appearances in the near future, culminating in a farewell address set for January. Those in the West Wing are keenly focused on Biden's legacy, defining Harris’s campaign as an essential part of this narrative — one that hinges on defeating Trump and potentially electing the nation's first woman president. A defeat, they understand, could tarnish Biden’s legacy, framing him as an unpopular president who squandered a winnable election.
However, Monday was dedicated entirely to honoring the president. Periodic chants of “We love, Joe” resonated throughout. Signs reading “We (heart) Joe” were distributed among attendees. Over half the crowd stood through his more than 50-minute address, and numerous Biden family members gathered to witness the speeches.
The president was introduced by both First Lady Jill Biden and his daughter, with several speakers paying tribute to him, including Harris, who made a surprise early appearance, stating, “We are forever grateful to you.”
"He brought decency, dignity and competence back to the White House," former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton remarked from the stage. "Thank you, Joe Biden, for your lifetime of service and leadership."
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
