Biden Will Speak At Convention
Hello everyone, it looks like we’ve got some political drama unfolding that’s sure to catch your attention. The Democratic Party may be putting on a united front, but behind the scenes, President Joe Biden’s feelings are simmering, and the tension is palpable. Let’s break down what’s happening as we head into the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Just a short while ago, Biden was expected to close the convention with a primetime speech, making his case for another term as president. But now, plans have changed. Instead of closing out the event, Biden has been moved to the opening night, where he’s likely to call for unity in a party that has, in many ways, already decided to move forward without him.
According to reports from Politico’s Playbook, Biden won’t be sticking around for the rest of the convention, which means he’ll miss key moments, including former President Barack Obama’s speech. This has sparked speculation that Biden might be harboring some resentment, particularly because Obama didn’t publicly defend him when calls for a new candidate started gaining momentum after that disastrous debate with Donald Trump in Atlanta.
What’s even more significant is that by not staying for the entire convention, Biden may skip the symbolic handover of the 2024 presidential election torch to his vice president, Kamala Harris. This handover was set in motion when Biden decided to stand down and endorse Harris back in July.
Missing this moment could send a mixed message to the Harris-Walz team and the Democratic Party at large, potentially signaling division when the party is trying to showcase unity.
The White House has been tight-lipped about Biden’s plans. White House spokesman Andrew Bates has neither confirmed nor denied the reports, and Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized that Biden recognizes the importance of his moment at the convention. She reiterated that Biden looks forward to speaking directly to the American people about the need for unity—a theme that has been central to his presidency.
However, the underlying tension is hard to ignore. Biden is reportedly frustrated and angry with key Democratic leaders, including Obama, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, for the way they handled his exit from the race.
Politico reports that Biden was particularly upset that Obama didn’t personally call him to discuss the growing pressure to step aside. Pelosi’s actions were seen as “ruthless,” though Biden reportedly grudgingly respects her decision to do what she felt was necessary for the party’s success in November.
Despite this, some insiders claim that Biden is at peace with the situation and is focused on what he can achieve in his remaining months in office. Yet, the Harris-Walz campaign will be watching closely not just what Biden says, but what he does at the convention.