USA Biden's bitter speech: Adore office, but love my country more
In an emotional speech to the nation, US President Joe Biden heralded the end of his long political career and demonstrated a zest for action for his remaining six months in office.
25.07.2024, 04:44
SDA
"I adore this office, but I love my country more," said the 81-year-old. The best way to unite the country, he said, was to "pass the baton to a new generation". The Democrat outlined his political legacy in the important speech, which had something of a farewell address, and praised his deputy Kamala Harris as a replacement candidate: "She has experience. She's tough. She's capable."
The important speech from the president's office, the Oval Office, was preceded by chaotic weeks in the US election campaign. At the end of June, Biden failed miserably in a TV duel against his Republican challenger Donald Trump. For the Democrat, it was probably the beginning of the end of his political career. The performance was so disastrous that it sparked a debate in the USA about his suitability as a presidential candidate for the election on November 5. More and more party colleagues called for his withdrawal from the race for the White House. Biden clung on to power. The country briefly held its breath when Trump was injured in an assassination attempt around a week and a half ago.
Biden: Ambition must not stand in the way of saving democracy
However, the pressure on Biden was ultimately so great that he pulled the ripcord at the weekend and backed his deputy Harris as a replacement candidate. His speech was his first real public appearance since withdrawing from the race. Biden struck a reflective tone in his speech. "It has been the privilege of my life to serve this nation for over 50 years," he said. Nowhere else in the world could a child with a stuttering problem from humble beginnings rise to the highest office in the land. "This is where I am now. This is what makes America so special," Biden said.
"We are a nation of promise and possibility, of dreamers and doers, of ordinary Americans doing extraordinary things." He has given his heart and soul to serving the nation, like so many others. In return, he said, he has been blessed with the love and support of the American people. "I hope you have some idea of how grateful I am to all of you." At the same time, he warned, "Nothing, absolutely nothing, must stand in the way of saving our democracy. That includes personal ambition." The great thing about America, he said, is that there are no "kings and dictators" ruling here.
A difficult farewell
Prime-time speeches from the Oval Office are reserved for moments of crisis and major turning points in the country. It was the fourth speech of this kind in Biden's time in office since January 2021. He had last addressed the nation in this way ten days earlier after the assassination attempt on his predecessor and long-time political rival Trump. This also illustrates how much the current presidential election campaign stands out with its dramatic twists and turns.
The speech must not have been easy for the thoroughbred politician Biden. "I believe that my record as president, my leadership in the world and my vision for America's future deserve a second term," Biden admitted bluntly. According to US media reports, Biden's advisors ultimately confronted him with poll results showing that the Democrats had lost the November election in states that were actually safe for them. This is said to have finally persuaded Biden to change his mind. In a TV interview a few weeks ago, he had said that only God could persuade him to withdraw. Now it was probably the bare figures after all.
A politician with heart and soul
The lawyer began his career as a politician on the city council of Wilmington in the state of Delaware. He went on to represent the state in the US Senate for almost four decades until he became Barack Obama's running mate in the White House in 2009. In 1988 and 2008, Biden himself ran for the Democratic presidential nomination - without success. In 2000, his lifelong dream finally came true - he won the election against Trump and became President of the United States. His life was overshadowed by misfortune. He lost his first wife and their daughter in a car accident. His son Beau died of a brain tumor in 2015.
Biden has now made it clear that although he is not running for a term in office, he still has big plans for the remaining six months in office. He wants to continue to fight against gun violence, called for a reform of the Supreme Court and reaffirmed his intention to focus on making the NATO defense alliance stronger and more united. The day-to-day running of the government is likely to hit the 81-year-old with full force this Thursday. A meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently visiting the USA, is on the agenda. Relations reached a low point during the Gaza war.
Tears and applause
On Wednesday evening (local time), however, numerous staff members gathered in the White House to watch Biden's speech. It was probably the most important speech that Biden had never wanted to give, said CNN journalist Dana Bash. According to the media, tears were shed among the employees and there was loud applause at the end.
Biden's family was also present at the speech in the Oval Office. His relatives are considered his closest confidants and are said to have long encouraged him to stick to his candidacy. Biden's wife Jill published a handwritten letter on social media. "Thank you for the trust you have placed in Joe - now it's time to place that trust in Kamala," she wrote.
Dirty campaign continues
Trump offered a stark contrast to Biden's serious speech at a campaign appearance in North Carolina. The Republican took on his new political opponent Harris and called her a "radical left-wing lunatic" who would destroy the country. The 78-year-old also had nothing good to say about Biden. This was also evident in the Republican's reaction to Biden's speech. "Corrupt Joe Biden's speech in the Oval Office was hard to understand, and sooo bad!" he wrote.
Meanwhile, the US Democrats voted on Wednesday to nominate Harris as their presidential candidate virtually ahead of the party convention in mid-August. If only one person stands for election, an electronic vote could start on August 1 at the earliest, the party announced. If there are several candidates, voting would begin a few days later. This is due to concerns about deadlines in the states by which the parties must have confirmed their candidates.
