Just a few weeks ago, Joe Biden was slated to headline the Democratic National Convention. Now, following a harsh political setback, he finds himself playing the opening act for Kamala Harris. For an 81-year-old president with a strong sense of pride, delivering his speech on the convention’s opening day is bound to stir a mix of emotions. Biden could make history by becoming the first African-American female nominee of a major US political party and deliver a message of unity that would appeal to the Democratic base. Still, the same speech could also alienate delegates who want to see him drop out of the race so they can vote for someone else.
If he stays in the race, it could backfire even more because he will continue to face questions about his fitness to serve. Some Democrats — including elected officials seen as rising stars, leaders from business and labor, and high-profile endorsers — have already called for him to quit the race and allow their colleagues to move forward with someone younger and more capable.
But Biden is not about to give up the fight. His team says he’s a better option than Trump and has strong appeal among women. He is also a powerful speaker who knows how to connect with an audience. In the speech he plans to deliver on Monday, he’ll highlight his accomplishments and talk about a resurgent middle class that has created new businesses, cut energy costs, and seen declining unemployment rates.
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He will also mention his unwavering commitment to racial equity, which has been the centerpiece of his presidency, and his plan to nominate the first black woman for the Supreme Court. In February, he nominated Ketanji Brown Jackson to fill a vacancy left by the retirement of Justice Stephen Breyer.
And he will hit on his top issues: fighting ‘shrinkflation’ by forcing companies to put fewer pretzels in a jar or less yogurt in a sealed cup, as well as the need to combat junk fees that are soaring and costing consumers billions of dollars. And, of course, he will continue to push for the same foreign policy principles that have made him a beloved figure in many corners of the country.
Biden is trying to reassure his supporters that he is still in the race and will take the time needed to prepare for the convention. But the fact is, he needs more time to save his campaign. He’s already been forced to rework his schedule, and the next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether he can revive it and make a convincing case that he can serve another four years as president. If he can’t, his long political career will end with a disappointing political comedown. He’s got to pull off a near-impossible feat to convince voters that he’s up to running a nation of 330 million people.