Aug 20, 2024 - 09:53
By npr.org

Biden caps off a career in public service as Democrats celebrate his legacy at DNC

On the first night of the Democratic National Convention, speakers took moments to acknowledge the past – President Biden’s “lifetime of achievement,” and what many described as his heroic decision to pass the torch to Vice President Harris and bow out of the 2024 presidential race.

Harris even made an unannounced appearance on stage to celebrate Biden’s “lifetime of service to our nation.”

But Democratic leaders were also eager to look past Biden’s administration, to harness the energy that’s swept through the party since Harris took the torch – and to fulfill the possibility of making history in November by electing Harris as the first female president in the country’s history.

Surprise remarks from the Democratic nominee

As the presidential nominee, Harris is slated to deliver the convention’s keynote address on Thursday evening.

But in a surprise appearance early in the evening, preceded by Beyoncé’s hit song, ‘Freedom,’ she thanked Biden, for all he’s done, “and for all you will continue to do, we are forever grateful to you.”

She also thanked the crowd in Chicago who so quickly embraced her candidacy.

“This November, we will come together with one voice, as one people, we are moving forward with optimism, hope and faith, so guided by our love of country, knowing we all have so much more in common than what separates us,” Harris said.

Harris later joined the audience at the convention during an address by Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who spoke for reproductive freedom following the testimony of three women who struggled to find care with their experiences with abortion, miscarriage and pregnancy in states with restrictive abortion laws.