DNC Day 1: Biden Delivers Emotional Closing Speech After Hillary Clinton And Harris Hail His ‘Historic Leadership’

 

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, left, applauds President Joe Biden at the Democratic National Convention

President Joe Biden capped off the first day of the Democratic National Convention with a emotional passing of the torch speech Monday after several speakers including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Vice President Kamala Harris commemorated his legacy.

Key Facts

Harris, making a surprise appearance, told the crowd “this November we will come together and declare with one voice as one people, we are moving forward,” after thanking Biden for his “historic leadership” and “lifetime of service.”

Biden “has been democracy’s champion at home and abroad,” Clinton said, crediting him with bringing “dignity, decency and confidence back to the White House,” and thanking him for a “lifetime of service and leadership.”

Clinton also lauded Harris, drawing parallels between the time they spent during their legal careers “helping children who were abused and neglected,” telling the crowd Harris will “never rest in defense of our freedom and safety.”

Clinton frequently blasted former President Donald Trump, drawing contrasts between him and Harris, accusing him of “lying about Kamala’s record . . . mocking her name and her laugh,” Clinton said, adding “we have him on the run now,” referring to Harris’ lead in polls.

As Clinton talked about the ex-president, audible chants of “lock him up” broke out among convention attendees, mocking chants of “lock her up” commonly heard at Trump rallies when he was running against her in 2016.

Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., who took the stage after Clinton, also spent much of his speech assailing Trump, whom Clyburn said has been “looking out for himself and his billionaire buddies” while “Kamala has been fighting to lower costs for all Americans.”

Clyburn additionally attacked the widely criticized Project 2025 blueprint for a potential second Trump term that some of Trump’s former staffers helped draft, calling it “Jim Crow 2.0.”

What To Watch For

Vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is scheduled to speak Wednesday, and Harris is expected to speak Thursday to close out the convention.

Key Background

Democrats descend on Chicago this week as the party has been reenergized by Harris’ candidacy since Biden dropped out of the race on July 21, less than a month after his disastrous June 27 debate performance effectively ended his campaign. More than 99% of Democratic delegates voted to nominate Harris and Walz earlier this month in a virtual roll call—a formality typically reserved for the convention. Delegates held a ceremonial vote Monday to nominate Walz and are expected to host a celebratory vote commemorating Harris’ nomination later in the week.

Tangent

Democrats also approved their 2024 party platform Monday evening—a 92-page document written before Biden dropped out of the race that outlines a continuation of his policies.