The Democratic National Convention drew to a close Thursday, with former Vice President Joe Biden delivering his acceptance speech.
In his speech, delivered virtually amid the pandemic, Biden touched on how as President he would address the twin ills that have defined 2020: the COVID-19 crisis, and America coming to grips with growing inequality and systemic racism.
“I understand something this President hasn’t from the beginning,” he said. “We will never get our economy back on track, we will never get our kids safely back in schools, we’ll never have our lives back until we deal with this virus.”
Addressing the nation’s reckoning with race, her referred back to Charlottesville, as he did when he launched his campaign, and denounced Trump’s assertion that there were “very fine people on both sides” that day.
Then, after recalling a conversation he had with George Floyd’s daughter after his murder and remembering former Rep. John Lewis, Biden said, “America’s ready, in John’s words, to lay down, quote, ‘the heavy burden of hate at last.”
His speech followed remarks from his family members testifying to his values, and remarks by a number of prominent Democratic senators who took the virtual stage on the final night of the convention, including Cory Booker (NJ), Chris Coons (DE), Tammy Baldwin (WI) and Tammy Duckworth (IL).
Follow along with the TPM staff’s coverage below.
Watch Live
What to Know
- The theme of the DNC's final night is "America's Promise"
- The Chicks (formerly known as The Dixie Chicks), John Legend and Common will perform
- "Veep" star Julia Louis-Dreyfus will serve as emcee
The Democratic National Convention drew to a close Thursday, with former Vice President Joe Biden delivering his acceptance speech.
In his speech, delivered virtually amid the pandemic, Biden touched on how as President he would address the twin ills that have defined 2020: the COVID-19 crisis, and America coming to grips with growing inequality and systemic racism.
“I understand something this President hasn’t from the beginning,” he said. “We will never get our economy back on track, we will never get our kids safely back in schools, we’ll never have our lives back until we deal with this virus.”
Addressing the nation’s reckoning with race, her referred back to Charlottesville, as he did when he launched his campaign, and denounced Trump’s assertion that there were “very fine people on both sides” that day.
Then, after recalling a conversation he had with George Floyd’s daughter after his murder and remembering former Rep. John Lewis, Biden said, “America’s ready, in John’s words, to lay down, quote, ‘the heavy burden of hate at last.”
His speech followed remarks from his family members testifying to his values, and remarks by a number of prominent Democratic senators who took the virtual stage on the final night of the convention, including Cory Booker (NJ), Chris Coons (DE), Tammy Baldwin (WI) and Tammy Duckworth (IL).
Follow along with the TPM staff’s coverage below.
Let’s take a listen to Joe Biden tonight…
Go Joe and good luck!
Addendum:
Way to go Joe Biden!
What a great speech…
What a great rallying call for the soul of our country!
Vote BidenHarris2020
So, the heavy hitters have pretty much all gone…the best speakers who would inspire people. That makes sense, Biden isn’t the greatest speaker, though he can be very passionate and strong at times he can also wander. I expect one of his best speeches tonight, simply because he has the best themes to work with and a good team producing the content. I’m hoping that they don’t gloss over the “Uncle Joe” part of his character though…he really needs to come across as everyone’s favorite uncle who knows how to get things done.
I suspect tonight to be another night of strong production, with perhaps more discussions between Joe and the people, and more stories of how things are so bad in the nation right now due to Trump and the Republicans. That’s the first hour, setting up why we need a change, with the second hour stating how Biden/Harris is the change we need. They have been telling a good story all week, now we see if they can bring it home with a strong finish.
This also will set the stage for the Republican’s and their show next week…Biden and the Democrats have to leave a strong message that resonates against the massed propaganda and lying that will have to happen next week. Trump’s show will be all about how awful the Democrats are, how everything is their fault…if Biden can leave us with a reason to hope, that will contrast with Trump and the Republican message of hate.
There are plenty for tonight.
Mayor Pete.
Tammy Duckworth.
Tammy Baldwin.
Cory Booker.
Andrew Yang.
Michael Bloomberg.
Yang and Bloomberg? smh
Looking forward to Pete and Andrew Yang. I didn’t think Andrew was going anywhere politically and I think I was dead wrong about that. And good - he’s funny, charismatic, smart and young. We need him.