WATCH: Joe Biden calls for unity during first address as president-elect
Updated: 1:44 AM CST Nov 8, 2020
Yeah. E Hello, my fellow Americans on with People have brought me the dance. Delawareans. I see my buddy Tom, Senator Tom Carper down there and I think I think Senator Coons is there and I think the governor's around. Is that Ruth Anne? And that former Governor Ruth Ann Minner? Most importantly, my sisters in law, my sister Valerie. Anyway, folks, the people of this nation have spoken. They've delivered us a clear victory. A convincing victory, a victory. Four. We, the people. We've one with the most votes ever cast from presidential ticket in the history of the nation 74 million e. I must admit a surprise. May Tonight we're seeing all over this nation all cities in all parts of the country indeed across the world are now pouring of joy of hope, renewed faith and tomorrow bring a better day on. I'm humbled by the trust and confidence you placed in May. I pledge to be a president who seeks not to divide but unify, who doesn't see red states and blue states on. Lee sees the United States on work with all my heart, with the confidence of the whole people toe win the confidence of all of you and for that is what America I believe is about. It's about people, and that's what our administration will be all about. I sought this office to restore the soul America, to rebuild the backbone of this nation, the middle class, and to make America respected around the world again. Did you unite us here at home? It's the honor of my lifetime that so many millions of Americans have voted for that vision and now the work of making that vision Israel. It's a task, the task of our time folks. As I said many times before, I'm Jill's husband on. I would not be here without their love entirely support of jail and my son, Hunter and Ashley, my daughter and all our grandchildren and their spouse is and all our family. They're in my heart. Joseph Mama, military mom and educator. She has dedicated her life to education, but t she doesn't just what she does, it's who she is. For American educators, this is a great day for you all. You're gonna have one of your own in the White House on Jill's gonna make a great first lady. I'm so proud of her. E. I'll have the honor of serving with a fantastic vice president. You just heard from Kamala Harris, who makes history as the first woman first black woman, the first woman from South Asia descent, the first daughter of immigrants ever elected in this country. Don't tell me. Stop possible in the United States. It's low overdue, and we're reminded tonight of those who fought so hard for so many years to make this happen. Once again, America's bent the arc of the moral universe. War toward justice, Comma Doug. Like it or not, your family, you becoming honorary Biden. There's no way out. All those of you volunteered and work the polls in the middle of a pandemic. Local elected officials. You deserve a special thanks from the entire nation, my campaign team and all the volunteers and all who gave so much of themselves to make this moment possible. IOU, iou, IOU, everything and all those who supported us. I'm proud of the campaign we built ran. I'm proud of the coalition. We put together the broadest and most diverse coalition in history Democrats, Republicans, independents, progressives, moderates, conservatives, young, old urban, suburban, rural, gay straight, transgender, white, Latino, Asian Native American. I meeting, especially those moments, and especially for those moments with his campaign, was that his lowest ebb. The African American community stood up again for many. We've always had my back and I'll have yours, I said at the outset. I wanted to represent this campaign to represent and look like America. We've done that. Now that's what I want. The administration will look like an act like for all those of you who voted for President Trump. I understand the disappointment tonight. I've lost a couple of times myself. But now let's give each other a chance. It's time to put away the harsh rhetoric, lower the temperature, see each other again, listen to each other again. And to make progress, we have to stop treating our opponents as our enemies. They are not our enemies. There are Americans. They're Americans. The Bible tells us to everything. There's a season, a time to build, a time to reap it, a time to sow and a time to heal. This is the time to heal in America way. Now this campaign is over. What is the will of people? What is our mandate. I believe it's this America had called upon us toe Marshal the forces of decency, the forces of fairness to marshal the forces of science and the forces of hope in the great battles of our time. The battle of control, the virus, the battle of build prosperity, the battle of secure your family's health care the battle. Achieve racial justice and root out systemic racism in this country on the battle to save our planet by getting climate under control, the battle of restore decency, defend democracy and give everybody in this country a fair shot. That's all they're asking for a fair shot, folks, Our work begins with getting covert under control. We cannot repair the economy, restore our vitality, a relish life's most precious moments, hugging our grandchildren, our Children, our birthdays, weddings, graduations, all the moments that matter most to us until we get it under control. On Monday, I will name a group of leading scientists and experts as transition advisors to help take Biden Harris covert plan and converted into an action blueprint that will start on January 20th 2021. That plan will be built on bedrock science will be constructed out of compassion, empathy and concern. I will spare no effort, none or any commitment to turn around this pandemic. Folks, I'm a proud Democrat, but I will govern as an American president. I work is hard for those who didn't vote for May as those who did let this grim here of demonization in America begin to end here and now refusal of Democrats and Republicans to cooperate with one another. It's not some mysterious force beyond our control. It's a decision, a choice we make. And if we could decide not to cooperate, then we can decide to cooperate. And I believe that this is part of the mandate given to us from the American people. They want us to cooperate in their interest, and that's the choice I'll make. And I'll call on Congress. Democrats, Republicans alike to make that choice with May, the American story is about slow yet steadily widening the opportunities in America and make no mistake, too many dreams have been deferred for too long. We must make the promise of the country, really for everybody, no matter their race, their ethnicity, their faith, their identity or their disability folks, America has always been shaped by inflection points by moments in time, we've made hard decisions about who we are and what we want to be. Lincoln in 18 60 Coming to save the Union, FDR in 1932 promising a beleaguered country. A new deal. JFK in 1960 pledging a new frontier. And 12 years ago, when Barack Obama made history, told us, Yes, we can wait. We stand at an inflection point way. Have an opportunity to defeat, to spare, to build a nation of prosperity and purpose. We can do it. I know we can. I've long talked about the battle for the soul of America. We must restore the soul of America. Our nation is shaped by the constant battle between our better angels on our darkest impulses. Now what President say in this battle matters it's time for our better angels to prevail. Tonight the whole world is watching America, and I believe it. Our best America is a beacon for the globe. We will not leave. We will lead not only by the example of our power, but by the power of our example. I I've always believed many of you heard me say it I've always believed we could define America in one word possibilities that in America everyone should be given an opportunity to go. Is faras their dreams and God given ability will take them. You see, I believe in the possibility of this country. We're always looking ahead ahead. 21 Americans freer and more just head to in America that creates jobs with dignity and respect. Head of America that cures diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's ahead to an America that never leads anyone behind. Ahead of America that never gives up. Never gives in. Thats a great nation. It's always been a bad bet to bet against America. We're good people. This is the United States, America. There's never been anything, never been anything. We've been able not able to dio when we've done it together, folks. In the last days of the campaign, I began thinking about a him that means a lot to me and my family, particularly my deceased son, Beau. It captures the faith that sustains may, which I believe sustains America and the hope, and I hope it could provide some comfort and solace. The 230,001,000 Americans who've lost a loved one to this terrible virus. This year my heart goes out to each and every one of you. Hopefully this him gives you solace is well, it goes like this and he will raise you up on Eagles wings, bear you on the breath of dog and make you just sign like the sun and hold you in the palm of his hand. And now together on Eagles wings we embark on the work of that God and history of called upon us to dio with full hearts and steady. Here's with faith in America and each other with love of country A thirst for justice Let us be the nation that we know we can be a nation united a nation Strengthen a nation Heal the United States America Ladies and gentlemen, there's never never been anything we've tried. We've not been able to do so. Remember as my grandpa, Part grand poppies say when I walked out of his home when I was a kid up in Scranton said Joey, keep the faith on our grandmother when she was alive. She you'll know, Joey spread it. Spread the faith. God love you all. May God bless America And may God protect our truth. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Parking by you before filling. How
WATCH: Joe Biden calls for unity during first address as president-elect
Updated: 1:44 AM CST Nov 8, 2020
Democrat Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump to become the 46th president of the United States on Saturday, positioning himself to be a leader who "seeks not to divide, but to unify" a nation gripped by a historic pandemic and a confluence of economic and social turmoil."I sought this office to restore the soul of America," said Biden in a prime-time victory speech not far from his Delaware home, "and to make America respected around the world again and to unite us here at home."Biden said Saturday night in Wilmington, Delaware, that “this is the time to heal in America” and pledged to be a president to represent even those who didn’t support him.Noting, "I’ve lost a couple times myself," Biden said, “now, let’s give each other a chance.” Biden said “it’s time to put away the harsh rhetoric, lower the temperature, see each other again, listen to each other again,” saying of his political opponents, “they are not our enemies. They are Americans.”“For all those of you who voted for President Trump, I understand the disappointment,” Biden said.He pledged to be a president “who seeks not to divide but to unify.”Echoing his campaign stump speech, Biden promised to be a president who “doesn’t see red states or blue states, only sees the United States,” and said he would work “with all my heart” to win the confidence of all Americans.Biden touted the fact that he’s won more votes than any presidential ticket in history, calling his win “a convincing victory, a victory for the people.” He also said he was “surprised” by seeing the celebrations and an “outpouring of joy” in the wake of his win nationwide.Biden said that “once again, America’s bent the arc of the moral universe more toward justice.”His victory came after more than three days of uncertainty as election officials sorted through a surge of mail-in votes that delayed processing. Biden crossed the winning threshold of 270 Electoral College votes with a win in Pennsylvania.Trump refused to concede, threatening further legal action on ballot counting.Biden, 77, staked his candidacy less on any distinctive political ideology than on galvanizing a broad coalition of voters around the notion that Trump posed an existential threat to American democracy. The strategy proved effective, resulting in pivotal victories in Michigan and Wisconsin as well as Pennsylvania, onetime Democratic bastions that had flipped to Trump in 2016. Biden's victory was a repudiation of Trump's divisive leadership and the president-elect now inherits a deeply polarized nation grappling with foundational questions of racial justice and economic fairness while in the grips of a virus that has killed more than 236,000 Americans and reshaped the norms of everyday life.Kamala Harris made history as the first Black woman to become vice president, an achievement that comes as the U.S. faces a reckoning on racial justice. The California senator, who is also the first person of South Asian descent elected to the vice presidency, will become the highest-ranking woman ever to serve in government, four years after Trump defeated Hillary Clinton.Harris introduced Biden "as a president for all Americans" who would look to bridge a nation riven with partisanship and nodded to the historic nature of her ascension to the vice presidency."Dream with ambition, lead with conviction and see yourselves in a way that others may not simply because they've never seen it before," Harris said. "You chose hope and unity, decency, science and, yes, truth ... you ushered in a new day for America."Harris paid tribute to Black women who "so often prove they are the backbone of our democracy."The daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, she is the first woman to be elected to the vice presidency.Harris noted her ascension to the role comes 100 years after the 19th Amendment was ratified and 55 years after the signing of the Voting Rights Act, which expanded who could participate in American democracy.She praised Joe Biden for having “the audacity to break one of the most substantial barriers that exist in our country” by selecting a woman as his running mate.“Every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a county of possibilities,” Harris said.The remarks were some of the most direct she has delivered.Biden was on track to win the national popular vote by more than 4 million, a margin that could grow as ballots continue to be counted.
Democrat Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump to become the 46th president of the United States on Saturday, positioning himself to be a leader who "seeks not to divide, but to unify" a nation gripped by a historic pandemic and a confluence of economic and social turmoil.
"I sought this office to restore the soul of America," said Biden in a prime-time victory speech not far from his Delaware home, "and to make America respected around the world again and to unite us here at home."
Biden said Saturday night in Wilmington, Delaware, that “this is the time to heal in America” and pledged to be a president to represent even those who didn’t support him.
Noting, "I’ve lost a couple times myself," Biden said, “now, let’s give each other a chance.”
Biden said “it’s time to put away the harsh rhetoric, lower the temperature, see each other again, listen to each other again,” saying of his political opponents, “they are not our enemies. They are Americans.”
“For all those of you who voted for President Trump, I understand the disappointment,” Biden said.
He pledged to be a president “who seeks not to divide but to unify.”
Andrew Harnik / AP Photo
President-elect Joe Biden speaks Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Wilmington, Del.
Echoing his campaign stump speech, Biden promised to be a president who “doesn’t see red states or blue states, only sees the United States,” and said he would work “with all my heart” to win the confidence of all Americans.
Biden touted the fact that he’s won more votes than any presidential ticket in history, calling his win “a convincing victory, a victory for the people.” He also said he was “surprised” by seeing the celebrations and an “outpouring of joy” in the wake of his win nationwide.
Biden said that “once again, America’s bent the arc of the moral universe more toward justice.”
His victory came after more than three days of uncertainty as election officials sorted through a surge of mail-in votes that delayed processing. Biden crossed the winning threshold of 270 Electoral College votes with a win in Pennsylvania.
Trump refused to concede, threatening further legal action on ballot counting.
Biden, 77, staked his candidacy less on any distinctive political ideology than on galvanizing a broad coalition of voters around the notion that Trump posed an existential threat to American democracy. The strategy proved effective, resulting in pivotal victories in Michigan and Wisconsin as well as Pennsylvania, onetime Democratic bastions that had flipped to Trump in 2016.
Biden's victory was a repudiation of Trump's divisive leadership and the president-elect now inherits a deeply polarized nation grappling with foundational questions of racial justice and economic fairness while in the grips of a virus that has killed more than 236,000 Americans and reshaped the norms of everyday life.
Kamala Harris made history as the first Black woman to become vice president, an achievement that comes as the U.S. faces a reckoning on racial justice. The California senator, who is also the first person of South Asian descent elected to the vice presidency, will become the highest-ranking woman ever to serve in government, four years after Trump defeated Hillary Clinton.
Harris introduced Biden "as a president for all Americans" who would look to bridge a nation riven with partisanship and nodded to the historic nature of her ascension to the vice presidency.
"Dream with ambition, lead with conviction and see yourselves in a way that others may not simply because they've never seen it before," Harris said. "You chose hope and unity, decency, science and, yes, truth ... you ushered in a new day for America."
Harris paid tribute to Black women who "so often prove they are the backbone of our democracy."
The daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, she is the first woman to be elected to the vice presidency.
Harris noted her ascension to the role comes 100 years after the 19th Amendment was ratified and 55 years after the signing of the Voting Rights Act, which expanded who could participate in American democracy.
She praised Joe Biden for having “the audacity to break one of the most substantial barriers that exist in our country” by selecting a woman as his running mate.
“Every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a county of possibilities,” Harris said.
The remarks were some of the most direct she has delivered.
Biden was on track to win the national popular vote by more than 4 million, a margin that could grow as ballots continue to be counted.