President Biden defended his record and promised to be Kamala Harris's “best volunteer” in a 49-minute speech Monday night that lasted well past midnight on the East Coast.
The convention was more than an hour late when the president took the stage at the United Center in Chicago, and a performance by James Taylor, which had been scheduled before Biden’s daughter’s introduction, had to be cut because of time.
The president received a standing ovation from the audience, who chanted “Thank you, Joe!” at various points in the speech. Pro-Palestinian protesters briefly interrupted the speech at one point, holding up a sign that read “Stop arming Israel.”
The speech was billed as an opportunity for Biden to pass the torch to Vice President Kamala Harris, who sat with her running mate, Tim Walz, in the stands and then took the stage with her husband, Doug Emhoff, to embrace the president.
“I love my job, but I love my country more,” Biden said.
Biden stumbled over his words at several points, and several times made sarcastic references to his age.
“I know more foreign leaders by their first names and I know them better than anyone else alive – just because I'm older,” he said.
He has repeatedly criticized former President Trump, once calling him a “loser.” He has also defended his record on infrastructure, capping the cost of prescription drugs, and his support for Ukraine.
“Ukraine is still free,” he said to applause.
The president noted that he had five months left in office, and said he had “a lot to do.” He cited in particular the work to reach a ceasefire in the conflict in Gaza.
“The protesters who took to the streets have a point,” he added.
Later, he quoted from “The American Anthem,” which he also cited in his 2021 inaugural address.
“Tell me in your heart when my days are done,” he said. “America, America, I have given you the best I have.”
