(FreePressBeacon.com) – Marking another party snub to the 81-year-old, the Democrat National Convention (DNC) shoved Joe Biden aside by shifting his prime speaking slot to a near-midnight appearance on the East Coast.
Running behind schedule, the DNC was filled with tributes to Biden’s term, his decision to choose Kamala Harris as his running mate and his choice to step back from the 2024 reelection campaign.
As the crowd could be heard chanting, “Thank you, Joe,” Biden expressed, “It’s been the honor of my lifetime to serve as your president. I love the job, but I love my country more.”
“All this talk about how I’m angry at all the people who said I should step down — it’s not true. I love my country more, and we need to preserve our democracy in 2024. We need you to vote,” he added.
“We need you to keep the Senate and the House of Representatives. And above all, we need you to beat Donald Trump,” he said to conclude a speech that lasted nearly an hour.
As the evening dragged on, speculation grew about why Biden was delayed to such a late hour.
A longtime Biden aide lamented to Axios reporter Alex Thompson, “This is awful. He literally set up a campaign and handed it over to them — do they have to cut him out of prime time?”
Throughout the night, Jill Biden was also a focal point, with delegates frequently acknowledging her with “JILL” signs.
She introduced her husband just after 11 p.m., nearly an hour behind schedule. In her brief speech, she reflected on personal moments that showcased Biden’s character.
Biden’s decision came after growing concerns about his mental and physical capacity to serve another term, especially following a disastrous debate with former President Donald Trump on June 27.
In the aftermath, various reports surfaced about Biden’s health and occasional slips, noting he remains sharply focused from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. but tends to falter afterward.
Pollster Nate Silver suggested that the delay in Biden’s speech sought to reduce his visibility as the party shifts to support Harris.
Despite the backstage politics, Biden’s appearance received enthusiastic applause, cheering Harris’ bid for the White House.
He then rallied the delegates, “Let me ask you. Are you ready to elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz?”
They took the nomination away from him and now booted him out of prime time.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) August 20, 2024
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