Biden Leaves the Stage

The 2022 Democratic National Convention stood as a stark contrast to what Joe Biden had expected, leading to an apparent disappointment for the President.

Expectations for Presidential Validation at the 2020 Convention

The 2020 Democratic Convention was anticipated to be a pivotal moment of celebration and validation for Biden. Being the presidential nominee, this would be his chance to enjoy the spectacle and grandeur of the event—an experience and recognition he had longed for in his prior campaigns but had never realized given that the 2020 convention was constrained to a virtual format due to the pandemic.

Diminishment at the 2022 Convention

Unfortunately for Biden, the 2022 convention did not align with his expectations of being the central figure of the event.

Relegated to the Opening Night Speech

Instead of speaking on the closing night of the convention—a slot traditionally saved for the acceptance speech of the party’s presidential nominee and the climax of the event—Biden was scheduled to deliver his speech on the first night. This departure from the norm is typically perceived as a demotion, with opening night usually reserved for former presidents and revered party figures rather than the current p ...

Joe Biden's path to withdrawal from the 2020 presidential election was shaped by both his personal health challenges and political strategy considerations, culminating in his decision to endorse Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination.

Biden's decision to withdraw from the 2020 race was precipitated by his bout with COVID-19 and the growing realization that he would face an uphill battle to win the nomination without strong party support.

Katie Rogers reports that President Biden, dealing with the effects of COVID-19, consulted with his top advisers at his Delaware beach home. During these meetings, key advisor Steve Ricchetti conveyed the party leaders’ concerns and their diminishing enthusiasm for Biden's campaign. His senior strategist and advisors, including Ricchetti and Mike Donilon, advised him that although they could technically continue the campaign, the lack of support from Democratic party leaders would present significant challenges.

While initially inclined to forge ahead, Biden consulted closely with top advisers who conveyed the party's waning enthusiasm for his candidacy and the high personal and political costs of continuing the fight.

Biden recognized that pushing forward with his campaign could cause a rift within the Democratic Party. After an evening of reflection while isolated in a spare bedroom due to his COVID-19 infection, Biden decided to focus on party unity rather than his per ...

Katie Rogers reports that President Biden has played a pivotal role in positioning Vice President Harris as his political successor, aiming to prevent another Trump term by solidifying her as the Democratic Party's future leader.

By swiftly endorsing Harris and effectively locking up the nomination for her, Biden sought to ensure a smooth and unified transition of power within the party.

Biden's endorsement of Harris preempted any potential intra-party jockeying or power struggles, solidifying her status as the heir to his political legacy.

Biden threw his full support behind Vice President Harris, which Rogers interprets as an attempt to shut down any speculation about other potential candidates. This move preempted any internal competition or political maneuvering within the Democratic Party, unifying the party behind a single candidate and setting the stage for a more organized transfer of leadership when the time comes.

In doing so, Biden aimed to preserve party unity and set Harris up for success, recognizing that his own political future and historical legacy were now inextricably linked to her performance as the Democratic standard-beare ...

Amid the pageantry of the democratic convention, Joe Biden delivered what was remarked as the final convention speech of his long political career, creating an atmosphere ripe with bittersweet sentiment and nostalgia as he reflected on his journey and passed the torch to the next generation.

Biden's convention speech represented the formal conclusion of his long political career, a bittersweet moment of acknowledging the end of his presidential ambitions while also celebrating his decades of public service.

Delegates at the convention shared their deep affection and reverence for Biden, emotional yet understanding of his decision to step down as it was seen as right for the country. With tears expected, the crowd came prepared with Kleenex, understanding the poignancy of the moment. As Biden concluded with a heartrending "America, America, I gave my best to you," it solidified the end of an era of his political activism, leaving an indelible mark on those in attendance. Roaring cheers and affectionate graphics of "Thank you, Joe" and "We love Joe" spread across the convention hall, offering a clear sign of recognition and gratitude for his service.

The speech was imbued with deep emotion as Biden reflected on his life's work, the challenges he had overcome, and the legacy he hoped to leave behind - a poignant passing of the torch to the next generation of Democratic leadership.

Sabrina Tavernise and Peter Baker called the closing of Biden's extraordinary political journey an American story that transcends political affiliations. Using the line "And there's nothing we cannot do when we do it together," Biden spoke of unity, a continuing theme underpinning his political mission. As Biden made it clear he was stepping aside after more than 50 years in public service, the human element of his decision was palpable, his speech serving both as reflection on his place in history and as a reminder of the significance of his presidency.

Biden, demonstrating visible emotion, revealed the personal signific ...