While the first day of Democratic National Convention in Chicago was highlighted by impassioned speeches from ex-Bulls player Steve Kerr, US Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, it also served as a passing of the torch that President Joe Biden gave an emotional speech to end the evening at the DNC.
After an affectionate opening from the audience, Biden spent long stretches of his 50-minute speech connecting with Trump, returning to a key theme of the re-election campaign he is no longer running.
Biden reviewed many of his administration’s accomplishments, sharing the honor with Vice President and now Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. But the convention ran so late that Biden took the stage after prime time had ended in much of the country.
Biden called Harris a “close friend” and said choosing her as his running mate was the best decision he ever made. He also pledged to help get the new Democratic ticket elected, promising to be the “best volunteer” Harris and Walz have ever seen.
He finished by telling those still listening: “I gave my best for you for 50 years.”
Shortly after Biden finished his speech, Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, took the stage to hug the president and first lady Jill Biden. Other relatives soon followed, including Biden’s son Hunter. Harris hugged Biden and said something that made both of them react in a way that looked very personal.
Biden’s full speech from night one of the DNC is in the video below.
Watch the full speech Preside Joe Biden gave at the DNC in Chicago on Monday night
The Bidens are not expected to stay in Chicago for the duration of the DNC, which enters another day Tuesday with more bigwigs on the speaking schedule including former President Barack Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.
According to city officials, more downtown streets near popular hotels in Chicago’s Gold Coast are slated to close Tuesday, and military helicopters are expected to continue flying overhead throughout the week.
According to the city of Chicago, there are no permitted protests planned for Tuesday, although unsanctioned protests and demonstrations are still expected near Union Park and Park 578, It was reported by the Associated Press.