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Tuesday, August 20, 2024
By Matt Visser
“My dad used to have a saying,” the president said. “He would say, ‘Joey, family is the beginning, the middle and the end.'”
President Joe Biden speaks during the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Monday. (Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post)
CHICAGO — President Joe Biden was speechless for a few moments. At first, it was because he was wiping his eyes. Then, it was because the cheers continued.
“Thank you,” he said nearly twenty times, but he failed to start his speech amid the chorus of “We Love Joe” signs.
His wife, first lady Jill Biden, cried the entire time. His daughter, Ashley, wiped away tears. His son, Hunter, watched from the background. The audience was emotional and hungry for catharsis after weeks of unbelievable scenes. Biden looked at his family, who have been the backbone of his career and the listening ear for the toughest decision of his political life.
“My dad used to have a saying,” he said, “He would say, ‘Joey, family is the beginning, the middle and the end.'”
Biden has played many roles in his long career. He was introduced as “the young man” in the 1988 presidential campaign. During his eight years as vice president, he was the foreign policy statesman. During the 2020 presidential campaign, he was the elder wise man.
When he took the stage at the 13th Democratic National Convention on Monday night, he was the torchbearer. He was trying to step into this new role, one that requires a recognition that his time as the party’s primary standard-bearer is coming to an end. He spoke to the crowd, and Democrats compared the speeches to those in 1960 and 2008, but they recognized that the catalyst was not him but the new optimism and joy that has permeated the party since he stepped down in favor of Vice President Kamala Harris.
Harris has been a backup for much of Biden’s presidency. As vice president, she has often stayed behind the scenes and never wanted to be seen as overshadowing the president.
The relationship had been changing for weeks, but it was never more evident than when Harris took the stage Monday evening, urging everyone — everyone at her convention — to honor the president at the start of the new week.
She said: “First, I want to pay tribute to our outstanding President Joe Biden, who will speak later tonight. Joe, thank you for your historic leadership, thank you for your lifetime of service to our country, and thank you for all you will continue to do. We are forever grateful to you. Thank you, Joe.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said afterward: “Thank you Joe Biden for your leadership.”
“Let us honor President Joe Biden,” Hillary Clinton said. “He has been a champion of democracy at home and abroad.”
When the night’s focus turned to Biden, his family was always there. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) quoted Biden’s mother (“Your courage defines you, your loyalty redeems you”), spoke of Biden’s record and thanked Jill Biden, as the crowd held up green signs with “Jill” on them.
His daughter Ashley told him stories about how he was “a dad to our girls” and how he was still her best friend.
But the show dragged on so long that Biden’s remarks were not included in prime-time television coverage on the East Coast. He did not take the stage until 11:25 p.m. ET.
Chants of “Thank you Joe! Thank you Joe!” rang out throughout the night and resumed when he took the stage. At one point, television cameras focused on Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the former House speaker who played a key role in signaling that Biden should drop out of the race, chanting the words. The two longtime allies haven’t spoken in weeks, and Pelosi has publicly expressed concern that their relationship could be irreparably damaged.
At one point, Biden reflected on reports of divisions and tried to smooth over them, saying: “It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as your president. I love the job, but I love my country more. … I get mad at all the people who are saying I should step down — that’s not true.”
Biden often uses public speeches to mark important moments in his life. He uses them not only to outline policies or seek votes, but also to grieve or vent. He prepared for Monday’s speech as he has for most others, gathering several top advisers — in this case, longtime adviser Mike Donilon and speechwriter Vinay Reddy — and bouncing ideas with historian Jon Meacham. Hours before the speech, he walked across the convention stage. Asked if it was bittersweet for him, he replied, “It’s an unforgettable moment.”
A reporter asked him if he was ready to pass the torch.
“Yes,” he said.
But he rarely finds himself in situations like the one he faced Monday night.
People love him. Some love his career as a top Democrat and a leader in his party. Some love him for his decision to resign.
His family loved him, though, because he was a father, husband, and grandfather. Biden often idolized the Kennedys and tried to emulate them. For much of his career, he thought his eldest son, Beau, would succeed him. He thought Beau would become president and carry the political banner for the family.
After Beau died in May 2015, the patriarch wanted to fulfill his late son’s wishes by staying active and pursuing his life goals. Initially, that meant writing books and giving speeches. Eventually, it meant launching a presidential campaign in 2019, his third attempt to win the nation’s highest office.
Jill Biden pointed out her husband’s humbling moments during her remarks, recalling the moment he ended his reelection campaign weeks ago.
“I watched him reach deep into his heart and decide not to seek reelection and to endorse Kamala Harris,” she said. “With faith and conviction, Joe knows that the strength of our country does not come from intimidation or cruelty. It comes from small acts of kindness that heal deep wounds.”
In the Biden family, Beau Biden’s memory is not far away. Jill Biden also mentioned the friendship he and Harris have developed.
“Our son Beau first worked with Kamala when he was attorney general of Delaware,” she said. “He told me at the dinner table one night: Mom, she’s special. She’s someone who deserves your attention. And he was right.”
Ashley Biden also mentioned Beau and how they had recovered from their devastating loss.
“Dad knew that family was everything. When Hunter and I lost our brother Beau to cancer in 2015, the grief and pain seemed never-ending,” she said. “Dad had the ability to step outside of his own pain and absorb ours. I know Beau is with us tonight, just as he has always been with us.”
Biden ended his speech right where he began, tears welling up in his eyes.
“I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my career. But for 50 years, I’ve served you with all my heart,” he said. “Like many of you, I’ve served our country with all my heart.”
He lamented the changes that have taken place in the past few weeks.
“I’m either too young to be in the Senate because I’m not even 30 yet, or too old to be president,” he said. “But I want you to know how grateful I am to all of you.”
At the end of his speech, his family joined him on stage, and he soaked in the moment. Harris gave him a long hug.
The convention will continue on Tuesday with remarks from former President Barack Obama, and on Wednesday Tim Waltz will give his vice presidential inauguration address. On Thursday, Kamala Harris will give her inaugural address.
But Biden will be gone for a long time. After his speech Monday night, he plans to board Air Force One and begin a two-week vacation at his homes in California and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. His family will join him.
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