Biden to spotlight achievements, support Harris at DNC

President Joe Biden, compelled by his allies to step down from his reelection bid last month, will be the featured speaker on the opening night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Biden will highlight his achievements and advocate for Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor before heading to California for a vacation.

Instead of the anticipated acceptance speech for a second term, Biden will focus on his accomplishments in boosting the U.S. economy and strengthening international alliances.

Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, is expected to join Biden on stage, sources revealed. Her campaign is strategizing on how best to utilize Biden’s support for the upcoming Nov. 5 election.

Biden endorsed Harris after yielding to pressure from fellow Democrats on July 21. Following a disappointing debate against former President Donald Trump on June 27 and increasing concerns over his age, Biden decided to exit the race. Despite initial resistance, Biden eventually conceded, influenced by opinion polls showing Trump gaining ground.

While Biden has expressed frustration over the pressure from Democrats, including from his longtime ally Nancy Pelosi, he is now committed to aiding Harris’s campaign and focusing on his remaining time in office, which ends on Jan. 20, 2025. Pelosi and Biden have yet to reconcile, but Biden remains focused on future goals, as expressed by former White House senior adviser Anita Dunn.

The convention will also honor past Democratic figures, with Hillary Clinton speaking before Biden on Monday, Barack Obama on Tuesday, and Bill Clinton on Wednesday. Biden’s speech will credit Harris for his administration’s successes and caution against a Trump return to the White House.

Ted Kaufman, a Biden confidant, emphasized Biden’s goal of ensuring Harris’s victory, highlighting the critical stakes of the 2024 election. Presidential historian Thomas Alan Schwartz noted that Biden’s withdrawal demonstrates prioritizing the party’s success, fostering support for Harris without overshadowing her campaign.