Biden's Legacy-Defining Farewell Speech: A Moment Of Historic Patriotism
In a powerful DNC speech that echoed Washington’s farewell address, Biden framed his decision to step aside as an act of patriotism, urging support for Kamala Harris and the preservation of democracy.
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As the end of his second term approached, President George Washington did something remarkable: he decided not to run for re-election, relinquishing the enormous power of the presidency that most people of his time would’ve desperately clung to.
In a farewell address written with the assistance of Alexander Hamilton, Washington declared that he would not run for a third term. The public letter, printed in newspapers in September 1796, shook the young United States, which had only ever known one man to be its leader.
Washington claimed his decision to step aside was one of patriotism, and in doing so, he set an extraordinary precedent and made a statement that the presidency should not be a lifetime role. In other words, the president is not a monarch. From President Washington’s farewell address:
“Satisfied that if any circumstances have given peculiar value to my services, they were temporary, I have the consolation to believe, that while choice and prudence invite me to quit the political scene, patriotism does not forbid it.”
That part of Washington’s farewell address came to mind as I watched President Joe Biden deliver his speech on the first night of the Democratic National Convention (DNC). Although President Biden doesn’t leave office for another five months, this speech felt very much like his own farewell address.
In an echo of President Washington, President Biden also linked his decision not to seek re-election with his patriotism, declaring: “It’s been the honor of my lifetime to serve as your president. I love the job. But I love my country more.”
In an election featuring an authoritarian who sought to overthrow democracy to hold on to power, Biden is relinquishing power in order to save it. The impact of his choice will reverberate for generations.
As I wrote at the time when he dropped out, President Biden stepped away from the awesome power of the presidency when his party asked him to, and he determined it would be in the best interest of American democracy. Donald Trump tried to overthrow American democracy to cling to power when he lost a free and fair election. The character contrast speaks for itself. You tell me who is more patriotic and who puts the country over their own self-interest.
President Biden’s selfless decision to drop out of the race placed him in another echelon of historic presidents, with historians rightfully drawing comparisons to Presidents George Washington and Lyndon Johnson. In the DNC arena, you could see the history being made, and the respect for Biden oozing out of the convention crowd. Biden is getting his flowers while he can still smell them.
As I’ve said many times, President Biden has already cemented his place in history, but if Kamala Harris beats Trump, Biden’s legacy will be defeating Trump in 2020, running a remarkably successful administration, stepping aside to safeguard democracy, and helping bring America its first Black/AAPI woman president.
Biden’s speech on Monday night sought to pass the torch to Kamala Harris, but he also appeared to be writing his own legacy in real-time.
Let’s dive in.
How President Biden Wants To Be Remembered
After Dr. Jill Biden and Ashley Biden delivered remarks introducing President Biden, he walked out onto the stage, hugged his daughter, and wiped away tears as he basked in a 4-and-a-half-minute standing ovation from the Democratic Party he spent his life serving.
Chants of “We love Joe!” and “Thank you, Joe!” reverberated off the walls of the convention center. After soaking it all in, Biden dove in.
President Biden began his speech with the topic of democracy. Biden disavowed political violence, condemned the January 6 insurrection, and discussed the August 2017 neo-Nazi demonstration in Charlottesville and how right-wing extremism motivated him to run for president again in the first place. He discussed the threat to democracy posed by Donald Trump and emphasized that while Biden’s election fended off that threat, it still very much looms.
“With a grateful heart, I stand before you now, on this August night, to report that democracy has prevailed. Democracy has delivered. And now, democracy must be preserved,” Biden declared to uproarious applause.
After leading with his key accomplishment of preserving democracy in the face of authoritarianism, Biden then immediately moved into what would be the bulk of this speech: a forceful defense of his record as President. It was apparent to me while listening that Biden feels he hasn’t been given the proper credit for what he’s accomplished. When looking at media coverage and public polling, his feeling isn’t unjustified.
“Because of you, we’ve had one of the most extraordinary four years of progress ever. Period. And when I say we, I mean Kamala and me,” Biden said, sharing credit with Vice President Kamala Harris as he ran through a list of his administration’s accomplishments.
“Just think about it,” Biden continued. “COVID no longer controls our lives. We’ve gone from economic crisis to the strongest economy in the entire world. Record 60 million new jobs, record small business growth, record high stock market, record high 401Ks. Wages up, inflation down, way down, and continuing to go down. The smallest racial wealth gap in 20 years, and yes, we both know we have more to do, but we’re moving in the right direction.”
Fact-check: True. The data backs up Biden’s assertions.
Beyond the economy, Biden touted his legislative accomplishments, like the Inflation Reduction Act, the most significant gun safety legislation since the assault weapons ban 30 years ago, the CHIPS & Science Act, expanding NATO, and the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
“Folks, how can we have the strongest economy in the world without the best infrastructure in the world?” Biden asked. “Donald Trump promised infrastructure week every week for four years, and he never built a damn thing!” The crowd roared with applause at this line.
“But now, because of what Kamala and I’ve done, remember we were told we couldn’t get it done… Right now, we’re giving America an infrastructure decade, not week.”
Throughout the speech, President Biden went out of his way to tie his Vice President to the high points of their administration. The speech culminated in a powerful case for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz to be sent to the White House.
“Folks, all of us carry a special obligation - Independents, Republicans, Democrats - we saved democracy in 2020, and now we must save it again in 2024,” Biden asserted, once again laying out the fact democracy is at the core of this election.
President Biden called on his fellow Democrats to get to work: “Kamala and Tim understand that this nation must continue to be a place of possibilities, not just for a few of us, but for all of us. Join me in dedicating your whole heart to this effort. And with all my heart, I promise I'll be the best volunteer Harris and Walz camp have ever seen.”
That’s a rallying call millions of Americans should take up. It’s time to get to work.
President Biden closed out his speech by quoting the song "American Anthem." In a moment that got everyone on their feet at the convention, Biden said:
"The work and prayers of centuries have brought us to this day. What shall our legacy be? What will our children say? Let me know in my heart, when my days are through. America, America, I gave my best to you."
Regardless of where you stand on President Biden, you can’t deny that the man who was elected to the Senate at just age 29 and would go on to serve as Vice President to the first Black president and later become the President who defeated Donald Trump, has certainly given his all to America.
Thank you, Ahmed. I knew it would be worth my while to put down Brian Tyler Cohen’s book “Shameless” for a hot minute to catch your take on last night’s activity. My four o’clock tea and cookies taste all the more delicious as I enjoy your reporting. Joy to the world!