Biden wants to use his speech at the party convention to give Harris the floor and take action against Trump

WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden will deliver the keynote address at the Democratic Party Convention in Chicago on Monday evening. During his speech, he will symbolically hand over the presidency of his party to Vice President Kamala Harris and point out what he believes is the looming danger to the country should Donald Trump return to the White House.

Four weeks ago, Biden ended his bid for re-election as his party faced a crisis of confidence in his chances against the Republican nominee following a disastrous performance in the June debate. Now Biden is likely to receive an enthusiastic welcome from many of the same politicians who sought to push him out of the race.

Biden aides said the president will use his remarks to make the case for why he believes Harris must replace him and defeat Trump, who he says is a threat to democracy. Biden will also highlight some of his popular accomplishments before stepping out of the spotlight so that Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, can take center stage for the rest of the week, the aides said.

Biden was greeted with chants of “Thank you, Joe!” as he appeared with Harris in Maryland on Thursday, and aides said he was pleased to see the party consolidate behind Harris. Biden endorsed Harris minutes after his campaign ended, helping orchestrate a nearly seamless handoff of his political career to his vice president and avoid a heated argument in Chicago over the party’s future.

Even though Biden is no longer at the top of the ballot, his influence will be felt in Chicago, albeit in a far smaller role than if he had remained the candidate.

Speakers at the convention are expected to point to Biden’s accomplishments, from helping lead the country out of the COVID-19 pandemic to passing critical investments in infrastructure, climate and health care. Harris has used Biden’s policies as the basis for her own policy plans.

The convention logo still bears a resemblance to the president’s campaign logo, and signs at the United Center will feature a quote from Biden’s Oval Office speech explaining his decision to drop out, when he urged voters to support Harris: “History is in your hands,” he said at the time.

On Monday, the signs will feature a typical Biden-ism: “Spread the faith.”

First Lady Jill Biden and other members of Biden’s family will be in the arena to hear his speech, which will mark the conclusion of his 50 years as a Democratic politician. Harris was expected to speak that evening. Biden was not scheduled to be at the convention when Harris speaks prominently Thursday night.