Key Points
- President Joe Biden gave a farewell speech on the first day of the Democratic National Convention.
- In his speech, he made the case for Americans to elect Kamala Harris as his White House successor.
- Harris made a surprise appearance and vowed to defeat Republican rival Donald Trump in November.
An emotional Joe Biden won a huge ovation as he gave a farewell speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Monday, cementing the party's embrace of Kamala Harris as its leader in the race for the White House against Republican Donald Trump.
Biden took to the stage to chants of "We love you Joe" from the same party which had pushed him out over concerns about his age, .
Wiping away tears after being introduced by his daughter Ashley and waving to the crowd that held signs saying, "We (heart) Biden," a smiling Biden said: "I love you."
An emotional 81-year-old Biden wiped away his tears next to his daughter Ashley ahead of his farewell speech. Source: AP / J. Scott Applewhite
Biden's address in Chicago kicked off a four-day event fuelled by enthusiasm for Harris and relief that Biden abandoned his own re-election bid and endorsed her to replace him.
The president's reluctant decision to step aside on July 21 came after heavy pressure from party leaders who worried the 81-year-old incumbent was too old to win or serve another four years.
In his speech, Biden touted his administration's accomplishments - boosting the US economy and strengthening US alliances abroad - and made the case for Americans to elect Harris as his White House successor.
He condemned the racism and white supremacy that continue to plague America, saying they had no place in the nation.
"We both know we have more to do, but we're moving in the right direction," he said, referring to himself and the 59-year-old Harris.
As he has been so often in his five-decade-long political journey, Biden was surrounded by family, with wife Jill Biden and their daughter Ashley introducing him.
Harris makes surprise appearance
Earlier in the evening, Harris made a surprise appearance drawing cheers from the crowd as she vowed to defeat Republican rival Donald Trump in the US election.
In the space of a few breathtaking weeks, America's first female, Black and South Asian vice president has quickly breathed new life into the Democratic Party: her campaign has broken records for fundraising, packed arenas with supporters, and turned opinion polls in her favour in some battleground states.
Biden has passed the torch to Kamala Harris, who in the space of a few breathtaking weeks has wiped out Republican rival Donald Trump's lead in the polls. Source: AP / Jacquelyn Martin
"I want to kick us off by celebrating our incredible president Joe Biden," said Harris, who was wearing a tan suit and took to the stage to Beyonce's "Freedom."
"We are forever grateful to you."
"Let us fight for the ideals we hold dear and let us always remember, when we fight we win!" Harris, the US vice president, said in brief remarks that drew roars from the crowd.
Harris, 59, will formally accept the nomination on Thursday.
Her star turn will cap a week where the biggest names from the party's past will endorse her as its future, with former president Barack Obama speaking on Tuesday, and ex-president Bill Clinton introducing on Wednesday.
