Taking place in Wilmington, Delaware at Biden’s HQ, President-elect Joe Biden, and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris addressed the nation for the first time since their victory was declared. The event was a drive-in speech; masks were mandatory and social distancing was strongly encouraged.
Their speech started off with Vice President Kamala Harris. She came out in a powerful and classy white suit, smiled, waved, and looked out to the crowd of supporters. Kamala began by quoting John Lewis, a former United States representative and civil rights activist who passed away earlier in the year.
“Democracy is not a state, it’s an act” – John Lewis
Kamala mentioned that our democracy is not guaranteed, the people must fight for it. They must sacrifice for progress; for it is people who have the power to build a better future. Kamala thanked her staff, volunteers, poll workers, election officials, and the American people. Kamala recalled the grief, sorrow, and pain of the past few months and complimented the courage and resilience of the American people. She recalled marches for equality and justice and then applauded Americans for making their voices heard through voting, for standing up for decency, truth, science, unity, and hope.
Kamala talked about her running mate, Joe Biden. Talking about his purpose, his immense love for people, for his respectable personality, for his dignity to be a “president for all Americans.”
Kamala talked about her mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, who passed away in 2009. She thanked her for being an inspiration to her and to generations of diverse women.
Kamala Harris talked about her goals as Vice President. To control the epidemic, to fix the economy for working people, to fight against systemic racism, to combat the climate crisis, to unite the country, and to heal the soul.
She ended off her speech by saying that America is a country of possibilities and “While I may be the first woman in the office, I will not be the last.”
Next, President Joe Biden came out to the stage. He said, “The People of the nation have spoken” and smiled. He mentioned that he won with the most votes ever, 74 million. He recalled watching cities across the country and areas worldwide celebrating his victory. Saying they had renewed faith, hope, and joy for the future. Joe Biden pledged to unify the country and win the confidence of all the people, protesting red vs. blue states and supporting the United States.
He set his goals to restore the soul of America, to help the middle-class, and to make America respectable worldwide.
He thanked his family for their support, giving Jill Biden, his wife, a shoutout saying “Jill’s going to make a great first lady, I’m so proud of her”.
He thanked Kamala Harris and celebrated her being a daughter of immigrants and being the first woman vice president and first vice president of color.
Similarly to Kamala Harris, he thanked volunteers, poll workers, local officials, and his campaign team saying “I owe you everything.” He acknowledges his campaign for being the “Proudest and most diverse campaign in the history.”
He reached out to Republicans and Trump supporters saying he understood their disappointment. He recalled times he has failed in the past and asked for them to give him a chance; to view opponents not as enemies, but as Americans. He called for a time of decency, fairness, science, and hope.
Joe talked through his goals which include controlling the virus, building prosperity, providing racial justice, saving our planet with climate control, defending democracy, and giving everyone a fair shot.
Joe Biden announced that on Monday, November 9, a group of scientists and advisors who will help tackle covid control would be announced. And on January 20, 2021 they would set in place their plan on Coronavirus built on science, compassion, empathy, and concern.
Biden said, “I am a proud Democrat but I will govern as an American president. He pledged to work hard for all people, both those who voted for him and those who voted against him. Biden promised to fight for all races, sexes, sexual orientations, disabilities, and people. He then asked Congress to help him in his efforts.
Biden recalled moments in history that changed who we are and who we want to be. He mentioned previous presidents Lincoln, FDR, JFK, and Obama. He then compared them to where we are now in history.
He promised to defeat despair, build a purpose for America, make America a beacon of hope, and to lead by the power of our example.
Joe Biden reflected on American ideals, of America being a place of possibilities and opportunities. Of Americans having dignity and respect, and for Americans never leaving anyone behind. Biden said that Americans are people that “Never gives up, never gives in.”
He closed his speech with a hymn that was important to him in grieving for his son Beau and extended it to those who have lost loved ones to COVID-19. He called for America to be “The nation we know we can be.” For American’s to spread the faith and to end the “grim era of demonization”
The attendees cheered, honked their horns, and applauded. Jill Biden came out in a mask and waved to the people. The Biden-Harris campaign staff was streamed onto the screens on the side of the stage while Joe and Kamala’s extended families came on stage to celebrate with the people.
Next, while the music played and the families waved to the people, confetti launched, and a firework and LED show began. An outline of the United States, the American flag, number 46, and Biden and Harris’s names were illuminated in the sky with LED lights. During this time a Coldplay song named “Sky Full of Stars” which was one of Beau Biden’s favorite songs that once played at his funeral, played.
When the show ended, the elects and their families waved to the people. Then, Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Kamala Harris, and Doug Harris held hands and bowed. The entire event felt very prideful and left many American’s with a very hopeful feeling.
Many people noted that during both Joe Biden’s and Kamala Harris’s speeches they didn’t mention Donald Trump or name-call any individuals; they had respectable speeches. All of this even though Trump refused to call either elect and congratulate them, as Hillary once did for Trump.