Biden Reflects on Legacy in Emotional Farewell at Democratic National Convention

It was a speech Joe Biden had not anticipated delivering this year, under these particular circumstances. Yet, given his history of navigating personal and professional upheavals, the president approached the moment with a sense of reflective gravity.

Addressing a packed arena in Chicago on the opening night of the Democratic National Convention, Biden delivered a heartfelt defense of his presidency. His speech echoed many themes from his 2020 campaign and his recent re-election bid before he withdrew in mid-July following a challenging debate performance.

“Like many of you, I gave my heart and soul to this nation,” Biden said towards the end of his nearly hour-long address, which was met with enthusiastic shouts of “Thank you, Joe.”

Introduced by his daughter Ashley and wife Jill, Biden appeared visibly emotional. After embracing Ashley and dabbing his eyes with a tissue, he touched his heart and stood a little straighter at the lectern, smiling as the crowd continued their cheers.

Biden’s speech not only reflected on his own legacy but also praised his vice-president, Kamala Harris, whom he hopes will succeed him in the White House. “Selecting Kamala was the very first decision I made when I became our nominee, and it’s the best decision I made my whole career,” he said. “She’s tough, she’s experienced, and she has enormous integrity.”

Unlike his previous Oval Office address, Biden did not explicitly discuss passing the torch to a new generation. Nevertheless, his focus on Harris signaled his hopes for her candidacy in the upcoming election against Donald Trump. After his remarks, Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff joined Biden and Jill on stage, with Harris expressing her affection by mouthing “I love you” to Biden.

The convention saw a series of tributes to Biden from notable figures. Harris took the stage to a rousing applause, thanking Biden for his “historic leadership” and lifelong service. “We are forever grateful to you,” she said.

Senator Chris Coons of Delaware, a close ally of Biden, lauded the president’s compassion and resilience. “I’ve never known a more compassionate man than Joe Biden,” Coons remarked. “I’ve never known a man who has taken from his own loss and his own faith and delivered so much for the future of so many others.”

Hillary Clinton, who appeared earlier in the evening, praised Biden for restoring “dignity, decency, and competence” to the White House. She received a lengthy ovation and pointed out that while she did not become the first female president, Kamala Harris would soon take the oath of office.

The reception for Biden at the convention was overwhelmingly positive. The cheers he received were not just a tribute to his career but also a gesture of gratitude for his decision to step aside, allowing space for new leadership. Biden’s political journey began in 1972 when he was first elected to Congress at 29, and his tenure as president has been marked by significant challenges and achievements.

As the convention continued, former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton were set to speak, both having won re-election during their terms. Biden, however, faced the unique challenge of defending his legacy as a one-term president. His speech, barring unforeseen events, may be his final address to a large American audience as president.

In a poignant moment towards the end of his speech, Biden quoted a line from the song “American Anthem”: “Let me know in my heart when my days are through, that America, America, I gave my best to you.” The crowd responded with a final, thunderous round of applause.

Eight years ago, Biden opted not to run for president in favor of Hillary Clinton, partly due to encouragement from Obama. Four years ago, although he won the nomination, the pandemic robbed him of a traditional convention experience. This night in Chicago, therefore, represented a rare opportunity for Biden to be in the spotlight at a Democratic convention.

After his speech, Biden departed for California for a brief holiday, marking a short but significant appearance at the convention. His remaining time in office will be brief, measured in months rather than years, as he prepares to close out his presidency.