It was a new Joe Biden who stepped on the stage in the parking lot of a conference center in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware on Saturday night to address Americans for the first time as President-elect. The evening before, Biden stood here as a candidate. His team had apparently expected CNN to declare Biden the winner by Friday night, but the count wasn’t going fast enough. Biden appeared on Friday anyway, looking tired and messed up.
Biden and Harris appear energetic, combative and exuberant with joy
None of this was seen on Saturday. On the stage came an energetic, combative, exuberant President-elect – and an energetic, combative, exuberant elected Vice President Kamala Harris. “This is where the real work begins, the hard work, the good work,” Harris called. Both managed to convey unbridled joy and drive. The first topic, said Biden, that will be addressed is the fight against Covid-19. On Monday he and Harris would set up a working group to work out corona measures “that are based on science.”
Biden proclaimed righteousness, science, justice and hope as the principles of his presidency. But the central theme of Biden’s speech was national unity, the promise to reunite America. Even during the election campaign this was always an important block of content in his speeches, he sometimes repeated formulations that he had already uttered in this way or similar.
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He wanted to “form the most diverse coalition in the history of the United States,” said Biden. “There are no red states and blue states – there is only the United States.” And: “We have to listen to each other again, see each other.”
Biden went on, “I’m a proud Democrat, but an American President.” never having heard before.
“Harris: I may be the first woman in this position. But I won’t be the last “
Kamala Harris, who spoke first, conveyed a similar message but was particularly appealing to women and Americans from immigrant families. She thinks today of her mother, Shamala Harris, an Indo-American oncologist, and all the other women, especially African-American women, who fought for freedom and equality. “You are the backbone of this society. I stand on her shoulders. ”
At the same time, Harris encouraged the next generation of women: “I may be the first woman in this position,” she said. “But I won’t be the last. Any little girl who watches tonight can see that this is a land of opportunity. And I tell you: see yourself in a way in which others do not yet see you – maybe because they are not used to seeing you that way. And be sure: We will support you every step of the way. “
More about the election in the US
– Who are Joe Biden and Kamala Harris? – a double portrait of the most powerful duo in the world
– Why Trump’s attempted coup failed – an essay
– Party in Washington – how the country celebrates
Both Biden and Harris had long talked about their families and thanked them. Both families came on stage after the speech ended: Jill Biden and Joe Biden’s son Hunter and daughter Ashley with his grandchildren and, on Harris ‘side, Douglas Emhoff with his adult children, Kamala Harris’ stepchildren and other relatives.
Donald Trump initially did not comment on the speech. He learned of Biden’s win on a golf course and returned to the White House that afternoon. Around midnight he tweeted the number of votes he could unite, 71 million, “the most ever for a sitting president”. After that, his Twitter account remained silent.
