On a Night of High Stakes: President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden Emerge to a Roaring Crowd as Hundreds Wave Signs Bearing Their Names!H
“I hope you know how grateful I am to all of you,” Biden said.
Last Updated: August 20, 2024, 12:30 PM +07
Democrats kicked off their convention Monday with a who’s who of guests who all touted Vice President Kamala Harris’ run for the White House.
Several topics came up during the night including the future of reproductive rights and Project 2025.
Harris made a surprise appearance after several Democratic VIPS took the stage, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
The main stars of the night were some of the Democrats’ longstanding figures including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
But the main spotlight came as President Joe Biden spoke to the cheering crowd, reflecting on his four years as president and his decision to “pass the torch” to Harris.
Latest headlines:
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Here’s how the news is developing:
California Gov. Newsom to present Harris with delegate votes at ceremonial DNC roll call
California Gov. Gavin Newsom will lead his state’s delegation at the DNC on Tuesday, delivering the delegates that send California native, Vice President Kamala Harris, over the top of the delegate threshold for the nomination in a ceremonial roll call.
Harris is already the nominee, but Tuesday’s ceremonial roll call is a gesture in name only.
Politico was first to report the news.
-ABC News’ Zohreen Shah and Brittany Shepherd
‘America, America, I gave my best to you’: Biden
Biden closed his speech by citing a verse from the song “American Anthem,” which he says has meant a lot to him and his family.
He said he would spare the crowd his singing so just quoted the verse: “America, America, I gave my best to you.”
President Joe Biden speaks at the Democratic National Convention, Aug. 19, 2024, in Chicago.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
“I gave my best to you for 50 years,” Biden said. “I hope you know how grateful I am to all of you.”
He ended his speech saying he’s more optimistic about the future than he was when he was first elected to the Senate at the age of 29.
“Folks, we just have to remember who we are,” he said. “We’re the United States of America. And there’s nothing we cannot do when we do it together.”
President Joe Biden kisses his wife First Lady Jill Biden after he gave the keynote address on the…
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images
Biden joined by Jill Biden, Kamala Harris after speech
US President Joe Biden raises hands with US Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential…
Eva Hambach/AFP via Getty Images
After giving remarks for roughly an hour, Biden was joined by first lady Jill Biden on stage as the song “Higher Love” blared throughout the stadium.
They were soon joined by Vice President Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff, both of whom exchanged hugs with Biden.
Other Biden family members also embraced him, including his son Hunter Biden and several of his grandchildren.
At one point, Harris and Biden clasped their hands together and raised them in the air.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden greet Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and Vice Pr…
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Scene inside United Center as Biden speaks
All around the stadium, attendees held up vertical “We love Joe” signs echo the shape of the delegation signposts. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was seen on the convention floor with the sign.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her daughter Christine Pelosi hold “We Love Joe” signs…
Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images
Others held up cards that read, “Thank you Joe.”
Delegates hold up signs reading “Thank you Joe” as President Joe Biden speaks on the first day…
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
In their box, Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz sat with their spouses listening to Biden’s speech. Walz was emotional throughout much of the president’s remarks.
Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, Second Gentleman D…
Cheney Orr/Reuters
