Biden’s farewell speech was all about America choosing between democracy – and a dictator
4 months, 4 weeks ago

Biden’s farewell speech was all about America choosing between democracy – and a dictator

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy For all its historical significance, President Joe Biden’s address to the nation last night regarding his decision not to stand in this year’s presidential election held no real surprises – but that’s no bad thing. In fact, the entire address was one long, fairly obvious jab at Biden’s boisterous, tangerine forebear/potential successor: “America is at an inflection point”, he said, and must choose whether it is to “move forwards or backwards”. The whole speech was really about the impossibility of moving forwards with somebody so backwards in charge – not just a reference to the 78-year-old Trump, for whom “backwards” is one of the milder descriptors that could be used to describe his politics, but for the 81-year-old Biden too, who after weeks of speculation about hit fitness for office is finally ready to admit the need for “new voices, fresh voices – yes, younger voices”, and to “pass the torch to a new generation”. But the appointment of Kamala Harris to Democratic candidate at least presents the chance that the next administration will be headed by somebody who doesn’t still refer to films as “talkies”.

History of this topic

Letters to the Editor: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris show how a peaceful transfer of power is done
1 month, 1 week ago
Former Kamala Harris aide asks Joe Biden to make her ‘first woman president’ of the US
1 month, 2 weeks ago
'Whoa!' CNN conservative stunned over proposal to transfer power to Harris
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Biden praises Kamala for having a ‘backbone like a ramrod,' says ‘giving up is unforgivable’
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Biden addresses nation after Harris's loss: Talks of peaceful transition, makes veiled attacks at Trump
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Biden promises to work with Trump and tells the nation to come together after Kamala Harris' defeat
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1 month, 2 weeks ago
'She stepped-up under extraordinary circumstances': Biden hails Harris's 'historic campaign' after loss
Trending News
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Biden praises Harris after poll defeat: She will remain a champion for Americans
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Biden breaks silence on Kamala's loss, says choosing her as VP was the ‘best decision’: ‘She will continue the fight’
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Under extraordinary circumstances Harris stepped up, led historic campaign: Biden
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Kamala Harris under fire for delaying concession speech as both she and Biden remain silent on Trump victory
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Kamala Harris concedes the election but not the fight
1 month, 2 weeks ago
"The best of America’s story": Biden responds to Harris election loss
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Biden 'disappointed Kamala trying to distance from his record'
2 months, 3 weeks ago
Who won the Harris–Trump presidential debate? Kamala was no Joe Biden.
3 months, 1 week ago
Biden’s disastrous debate performance offers lessons for Harris and warnings for Trump
3 months, 2 weeks ago
The interview: Kamala Harris’ inaugural sit-down was most notable for seeming ... ordinary
3 months, 3 weeks ago
Kamala Harris wants to break through the 'hardest glass ceiling' to defeat Trump. Democrats know it won't be easy
4 months ago
Trump Should Be Very Nervous About This Part of Kamala Harris’ DNC Speech
4 months ago
Kamala Harris storms DNC stage to give biggest speech of her career, pays tribute to ‘extraordinary’ Biden, blasts Trump
4 months ago
‘Yes She Can’: In Soaring Speech, Obama Calls Kamala Harris ‘New Way Forward’
4 months ago
Biden begins long goodbye to half century in politics as he rallies Democrats around Harris in rousing speech
4 months ago
Jill Biden pays tribute to Joe Biden in emotional DNC speech, officially endorses Harris
4 months ago
‘America I gave my best to you’: Biden bashes ‘loser’ Trump, gives Harris remarkable endorsement in powerful DNC speech
4 months ago
‘America I gave my best to you’: Biden bashes ‘loser’ Trump, gives Harris remarkable endorsement in powerful DNC speech
4 months ago
Joe Biden sets record straight at DNC about 'anger' over Kamala Harris handoff
4 months ago
Newsom closes ceremonial roll call at DNC, kick-starts his advocacy for Harris
4 months ago
Column: Biden shows what it means to make America great — and why Democrats are glad to bid him farewell
4 months ago
Biden gets a rousing ovation from Democrats as he gives Harris an enthusiastic endorsement
4 months ago
Biden plans to use his convention speech to hand off to Harris and make case against Trump
4 months, 1 week ago
Biden gives Trump a new nickname in first event with Kamala since he dropped out...as crowd walks out when he starts speaking
4 months, 1 week ago
Harris thrives as she drops Biden’s campaign themes
4 months, 2 weeks ago
Donald Trump Gives Rambling Press Conference, Says Kamala Harris Can't Do Same
4 months, 2 weeks ago
She'll 'destroy the country': Trump rambles about Kamala Harris in new Fox News interview
4 months, 3 weeks ago
‘He fell on his sword’: Democrats, Republicans and media figures react to Biden’s address to nation
4 months, 4 weeks ago
'A Time For Younger Voices': In Oval Office Address, Biden Says He Quit Presidential Race To Unite His Party
5 months ago
Key takeaways from Biden’s Oval Office speech on exiting 2024 race
5 months ago
Biden makes a case for his legacy — and for Harris to continue it — in his Oval Office address
5 months ago
Biden speaks to campaign staff as he passes the torch to Kamala: ‘We’re still fighting in this fight together’
5 months ago
Public deference, private power: How Nancy Pelosi navigated the Biden withdrawal
5 months ago
Biden breaks his silence 24 hours after extraordinary decision to drop out by calling into his old campaign office during Kamala Harris' visit
5 months ago
'You may clap': Kamala Harris makes first remarks since Biden quit race
5 months ago
Kamala Harris becomes Democratic frontrunner as Biden quits 2024 White House race following weeks of pressure
5 months ago
Kamala Harris says ’honoured by Joe Biden’s endorsement, pledges to secure victory over Donald Trump’
5 months ago
Kamala Harris is just as much of joke as Biden is: Trump campaign
5 months ago
Democrats Praise Biden as True Patriot After He Quits Race
5 months ago
Kamala Harris takes center stage. Can she save the Democrats?
5 months ago
Telegraph readers: ‘It’d be a mistake to think Kamala Harris lacks a strong following’
5 months ago
Biden drops out: How Hollywood is reacting to the Kamala Harris campaign
5 months ago

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