Washington: Democrats have officially named Joe Biden as their presidential candidate after several elder statesmen lauded the former US vice president’s leadership skills to challenge incumbent Republican President Donald Trump in November.
Two Democratic former presidents, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, and former secretary of state John Kerry endorsed Biden on Tuesday, the second day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). Former secretary of state Colin Powell, a Republican, also backed Biden’s candidacy.
Biden, 77, became the Democratic Party’s nominee for the November 3 presidential election on Tuesday night in a pre-recorded roll call vote from delegates in all 50 states.
He said the nomination “means the world to me and my family, and I’ll see you on Thursday,” referring to his speech accepting the nomination on the final night of the four-day convention which is largely virtual, amid the coronavirus pandemic.
It is the honour of my life to accept the Democratic Party’s nomination for President of the United States of America, Biden said in a tweet later.
Biden’s wife, Jill, who made a strong pitch for him, said that if elected, her husband would bring to the White House “leadership worthy of our nation” at the time of an unprecedented coronavirus pandemic and economic depression.
There are those who want to tell us that our country is hopelessly divided, that our differences are irreconcilable. But that’s not what I’ve seen over these months, she said.
We have shown that the heart of this nation still beats with kindness and courage. That’s the soul of America Joe Biden is fighting for now, she said.
We just need leadership worthy of our nation worthy of you, she said in her speech from inside the classroom of the Brandywine High School, in Delaware where she once taught English in the 1990s.
Biden played an important role in the Congressional passage of the 2008 US-India civil nuclear deal and was a key player in strengthening bilateral ties during the eight years of Obama administration. Last week, he scripted history by nominating Indian-origin Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate.
After a spectacular roll call that showed the heart and soul of our nation, it’s official. Congratulations, Joe Biden, Harris said in a tweet. While Biden is scheduled to deliver his acceptance speech on Thursday, Harris, 55, will deliver it on Wednesday.
Biden is leading over Trump by 7.7 points nationally, according to the average of polls by Real Clear Politics. This is a few points drop from his previous lead of 10.2 points he held in June.
Trump, 74, would be formally nominated by the Republican Party as its presidential candidate at its virtual convention next week. (PTI)
