President Joe Biden delivered a compelling address in Tempe, Arizona, on Thursday, where he underscored the significance of unity, democracy, and the preservation of American values. While his message exuded hope and reconciliation, it also carried urgent warnings and a call to action.
The president began by paying tribute to the late Republican Senator John McCain, underscoring how deeply America longs for McCain’s bravery, foresight, and vision. He implored the nation to put aside partisan divisions and prioritize the well-being of the entire country, echoing Senator McCain’s renowned mantra of “Country First.”
“I thought about how much America misses John right now, how much America needs John’s courage, foresight, and vision. I thought about what John stood for, what he fought for, what he was willing to die for. I thought about what we owe John, what I owe him, what we owe each other as Americans as well,” he said, adding that McCain’s influence still tugs at his heart and conscience.
“Will we, as John wrote, ‘Never quit’? Will we not hide from history but make history? Will we put partisanship aside and put country first? I say we must, and we will,” Biden said.
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Biden emphasized that maintaining democracy requires adherence to the Constitution and continuous efforts to perfect the union. He underscored that democracy means the rule of the people, not rule by monarchs or money. Regardless of party affiliations, he stressed the importance of respecting free and fair elections and accepting their outcomes.
However, he warned that democracy is not an easy path and referred to protesters who briefly interrupted his speech.
“Democracy is never easy — as we just demonstrated,” he said, referencing the protesters who interrupted him. “Democracy means the rule of the people, not the rule of monarchs, money, or the mighty. Regardless of party, that means respecting free and fair elections, accepting the outcome, whether we win or lose. It means you can’t love your country only when you win,” Biden said.
Biden went on to emphasize the need to reject and repudiate political violence, labeling it as undemocratic and unacceptable in America. He insisted that such violence should never be normalized to gain political power.
“There’s something dangerous happening in America,” Biden said. “Such violence is never, never, never acceptable in America. It’s undemocratic,” he said. “And it must never be normalized to advance political power.”
As Biden’s approval ratings remain under scrutiny, he is positioning himself as a defender of democracy and a counterforce to any potential challenge from former President Donald Trump in the 2024 election. This signals a shift in his approach toward addressing Trump’s influence on American politics and underscores the need for Americans to prioritize their country’s interests over partisan divisions and reject any form of political violence.
