DNC: Biden uses convention speech to hand over power to Harris

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will deliver the keynote speech at the Democratic Party Convention in Chicago on Monday evening. In doing so, he will symbolically hand over the party to Vice President Kamala Harris and represent the views of those who, in his opinion, threaten the country should Donald Trump return to the White House.

Four weeks ago finished his bid to win re-election while his party was in a crisis of confidence about his chances against the Republican nominee after a disastrous performance in the June debate. Now Biden is being greeted enthusiastically by many of the same politicians who tried to push him out of the race.

Biden aides said the president will use his remarks to argue why he believes Harris must replace him and defeat Trump, whom he calls a threat to democracy. Biden will also use some of his popular Achievements before he steps out of the spotlight and lets Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, take center stage for the rest of the week, aides said.

Biden was greeted with chants of “Thank you, Joe!” as he appeared with Harris in Maryland on Thursday, and aides said he was pleased to see the party consolidate behind Harris. Biden endorsed Harris minutes after his campaign ended, helping orchestrate a nearly seamless handoff of his political career to his vice president and avoid a heated argument in Chicago over the party's future.

Even though Biden is no longer at the top of the ballot, his influence will be felt in Chicago, albeit in a far smaller role than if he had remained the candidate.

Speakers at the convention are expected to point to Biden's accomplishments, from helping to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic to passing critical investments in infrastructure, climate and health care. Harris has used Biden's policies as the basis for her own policy plans.

The convention logo still bears a resemblance to the president's campaign logo, and signs at the United Center will feature a quote from Biden's Oval Office speech explaining his decision to drop out, when he urged voters to support Harris: “History is in your hands,” he said at the time.

On Monday, the signs will read a typical Biden-ism: “Spread the faith.”

First Lady Jill Biden and other members of Biden's family will be in the arena to hear his speech, which will mark the conclusion of his 50 years as a Democratic politician. Jill Biden will also speak at the party's convention on Monday evening.

Harris is expected to speak this evening. Biden was not expected to be at the convention when Harris speaks prominently on Thursday evening.