Former Vice President Joe Biden officially accepted the Democratic nomination for president on the final night of the party’s virtual convention on Thursday.
As he accepted the honor, Biden promised that his first order of business would be bringing the COVID-19 pandemic under control.
“We lead the world in deaths, our economy is in tatters,” Biden said. “And after all this time, the president still does not have a plan.”
“Our current president has failed in his most basic duty as president — he’s failed to protect us,” he said. “And my fellow Americans, that is unacceptable.”
He also promised to work hard for everyone, including people who didn’t vote for him.
“While I’ll be a Democratic candidate, I will be an American president,” Biden said in his remarks. “I’ll work hard for those who didn’t support me, as hard for them as I did for those who did vote for me.”
The former vice president said that President Donald Trump has “cloaked America in darkness for much too long.”
“Too much anger,” he said. “Too much fear. Too much division.”
“If you entrust me with the presidency, I will draw on the best of us, not the worst,” Biden continued. “I’ll be an ally of the light, not the darkness. It’s time for us — for we the people — to come together.”
Biden’s remarks culminated four days of impassioned and emotional pleas from prominent Democrats and politicians, many warning that four more years of Trump’s administration loom as an existential threat to U.S. democracy.
Watch some clips below:
"With great honor and humility, I accept this nomination for president of the United States of America"
– @JoeBiden#DemConvention pic.twitter.com/tGAB7lSfu6— 2020 #DemConvention 🇺🇸 (@DemConvention) August 21, 2020
This campaign isn't just about winning votes. It's about winning the heart – and yes, the soul of America."
– @JoeBiden#DemConvention pic.twitter.com/GgkxRfOotG— 2020 #DemConvention 🇺🇸 (@DemConvention) August 21, 2020
The choice could not be more clear.#DemConvention pic.twitter.com/TvUFkancw0
— 2020 #DemConvention 🇺🇸 (@DemConvention) August 21, 2020
"As president, I'll make you promise: I will protect America."
– @JoeBiden#DemConvention pic.twitter.com/Q2pYvWFFjF— 2020 #DemConvention 🇺🇸 (@DemConvention) August 21, 2020
