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Joe Biden had other plans for his address. Under the current conditions, at least not this year.
Tragedies and hardships have left their mark on this president’s personal and professional life, so he knows firsthand how fast fortunes may change.
During his passionate defense of his presidency, which he revisited during his campaigns in 2020 and this year, Mr. Biden addressed a crowded Chicago arena on the first night of the Democratic National Convention. He had previously abandoned his re-election bid in mid-July, just weeks after a disastrous debate performance.
“Like many of you, I devoted my heart and soul to this nation,” he concluded, towards the close of a nearly hour-long presentation punctuated by boisterous yells of “Thank you, Joe”.
Ashley Biden and Jill Biden presented their father to the crowd. Jill recounted how she “saw him dig deep into his soul” when her husband chose to withdraw from the presidential run. Mr. Biden then made his way onto the platform.
He held Ashley close as he wiped away his tears with a tissue.
As the cheers persisted, the president felt a weight lifted off his shoulders, straightened his posture at the lectern, and grinned toothily.
He spoke with an eye toward his legacy, but he also made sure to laud the virtues of his vice president, the woman he envisions as his White House successor.
“The best decision I’ve ever made in my career was selecting Kamala, and it was the first thing I did when I became our nominee,” he stated. “She possesses tremendous integrity, is very experienced, and is tough.”
Listen to the podcast “The Global Story” about Biden’s transition
Outside the DNC, Biden remarked that the Gaza demonstrators “have a point.”
The ‘glass ceiling’ needs to be broken, according to Hillary Clinton.

To introduce her father, 43-year-old Ashley Biden called him the “OG girl-dad.”
Although Mr. Biden refrained from explicitly discussing the passing of the torch to a new generation, the message was nonetheless conveyed in a manner similar to his Oval Office address four weeks prior. Ms. Harris and Mr. Emhoff emerged to embrace Mr. Biden and Mrs. Biden as soon as the president finished speaking.
Vice President Biden mouthed the words “I love you” to Mr. Biden following their embrace.
Mr. Biden devoted a significant portion of his speech to praising Senator Harris, an apparent recognition that her performance in November’s election against Donald Trump will determine his legacy and the legacy of his party. Earlier in the evening, numerous speakers paid tribute to the current White House resident.
First, amid resounding cheers, Ms. Harris herself made a prearranged but unannounced appearance.
She praised Joe’s groundbreaking leadership and thanked him for his “lifetime of service to our nation” and ongoing efforts. “You will always have our eternal gratitude.”

A later time, Senator Chris Coons of Delaware, who was an ally of Mr. Biden’s, spoke highly of the president.
As far as he was concerned, Joe Biden was the most caring man he had ever met. “Never before have I met a man who, in the face of tragedy and adversity, has done so much to ensure the prosperity of others.”
In her own homage, Hillary Clinton said to the audience that Joe Biden had “brought dignity, decency and competence back to the White House” when she made an appearance on stage earlier in the evening.
To a standing ovation, the Democratic nominee for president in 2016 said, “On the other side of that glass ceiling is Kamala Harris taking the oath of office,” referring to the fact that she, too, did not break the “highest, hardest glass ceiling” by becoming the first woman president.