Joe Biden's goodbye, Gaza ceasefire protests swarm Chicago streets: DNC Day 1 takeaways
Joseph R. Biden Jr. delivered a heartfelt goodbye – and dire warning – to fellow Democrats who showered their veteran warhorse with gratitude Monday during the party's first in-person convention since 2016.
It's a bittersweet time for the 81-year-old president, who after years of dogged questions about his age and capacity was pushed out by liberal donors and others within his own party after an abysmal debate performance in June.
The president wiped away tears after embracing his daughter, Ashley Biden, who introduced him to delegates, who've gathered in Chicago from across the country.
"I love you," Biden said.
He used most of his speech to brag about his administration's wins, attack former President Donald Trump and pass Vice President Kamala Harris a symbolic torch as the new leader of a party he has served for more than half a century.
"Are you ready to vote for freedom?" Biden asked the crowd. "Are you ready to vote for democracy and for America? Let me ask you, are you ready to elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz?"
Democrats entered the United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks, with a much more upbeat outlook about their chances at retaining the White House. Harris is surging past Trump in battleground states, according to polling.
Much of the convention this week will focus on that enthusiasm and turning the page as Democrats focus on reproductive rights, bringing down costs for average Americans and attacking Trump's character.
Protests outside the arena threaten to distract from the progressive unity fest, however, as left-leaning activists demand Harris and the Democrats do more to end Israel's bombardment of Gaza as a result of its war with Hamas stemming from the Oct. 7, 2023, terror attack.
Here are the key moments from day 1 of the DNC.
'Thank you, Joe': Biden's farewell kicks off DNC 2024
Democrats paid tribute to Biden's five-decade career Monday evening, which began in the Richard Nixon era as the country's youngest senator and ends as its oldest president.
"Joe, thank you for your historic leadership, for your lifetime of service to our nation and for all you will continue to do. We are forever grateful to you," Harris said in a surprise visit to the stage.
Throughout the evening the crowd chanted "thank you, Joe" whenever the president's name came up.
Biden said that he ran for president four years in large part because of Trump's response to the violent protests in Charlotteville, Virginia, in 2017 where white nationalists clashed with counter-protesters. He talked about lowering prescription drug prices, passing a massive $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill and combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The job of a president is to deliver for all Americans," Biden said. "Because of you, we've had one of the most extraordinary four years of progress ever. When I say we, I mean Kamala and me."
Biden leaves the DNC, and he ain't coming back
But the president and first lady Jill Biden quickly left Chicago after his speech for Santa Ynez, California, to vacation in wine country – and the pair won't be around at the DNC convention for the rest of the week.
That means the Bidens won't be present to watch Harris accept the party’s nomination on Thursday night.
Harris has a delicate line to walk to honor the man who named her vice president yet distancing herself from Biden’s unpopular handling of inflation and the economy.
TV cameras panning to Biden during Harris' remarks would not have been the optics the Harris campaign wants, but her allies are hopeful the president dipping out early won't overshadow her big moment either.
Still, it’s remarkable that Biden – having paved the way for Harris’ nomination by dropping out of the race – won’t be in the room with Harris as she takes the convention stage.
'Abandon Harris': Gaza protests swarm Chicago's streets outside DNC
The vibes inside were in sharp contrast to outside where hundreds of left-wing activists and organizers waged anti-Gaza war marches in various clashes with Chicago police.
One of the more anticipated protests started Monday at Union Park, which is about a half-mile from the convention hall, with chants of "free, free Palestine." The crowd swelled to roughly 1,000 people as it approached the United Center.
These demonstrations are going to happen all week and could further spoil Harris' party if that dissent gets out of hand or makes it inside the convention.
A group of about 30 uncommitted DNC delegates – who represent less than 1% of total delegates – want to be given time and space to be heard, for example. They have warned the VP's chances at winning this fall could be hurt unless she embraces an arms embargo on Israel and an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.
AOC, Beshear and other rising Dems shine
Democrats used Monday evening to showcase their diverse class of rising stars.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia, and Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas were among those who addressed the convention.
Beshear, a red-state Democrat, and the progressive Ocasio-Cortez, who represents the Bronx, hail from different wings and regions within the party, but both are among its fresh faces.
The 46-year-old Beshear, who has won two elections in a reliably Republican state, was recently under consideration by Harris as her running mate. He will be among Democrats mentioned as candidates for president in either 2028 or 2032.
"In Kentucky, we put reproductive freedom on the ballot last November, and I beat Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell's hand-picked candidate by more than 5 percentage points," Beshear said.
AOC is wildly popular among the liberal base and could become a contender for U.S. Senate in New York when Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer decides to step down. In her remarks, she thanked Biden and Harris, singled out the VP's efforts to secure a temporary cease-fire agreement in Gaza and jabbed her GOP critics.
"Ever since I got elected, Republicans have attacked me by saying that I should go back to bartending,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “But let me tell you. I'm happy to any day of the week because there is nothing wrong with working for a living."
Crockett’s profile has quickly taken off after she was first elected in 2022.
"She's lived the American dream. He's been America's nightmare," Crockett said in his remarks at Harris and Trump. "Kamala Harris has a resume. Donald Trump has a rap sheet."
She also alluded to her past viral alliteration that went after Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, with a new alliteration.
“The question before us is will a vindictive vile villain violate voters' vision for a better America or not?" Crockett said. "I hear alliterations are back in style."
Speakers evoke Fannie Lou Hamer as connection to Harris
The historic campaign of Harris seeking to be the first woman of color to lead the country wasn't lost on Democrats, who connected that to history.
On multiple occassions, lawmakers and activists brought up civil rights icon Fannie Lou Hamer, who infamously demanded during a televised testimony Black delegates be seated in place of Mississippi's all-white delegation during the 1964 Democratic convention.
"When she finished, she asked the country a simple but profound question: 'Is this America?'" Rep. Maxine Waters, D-California, said on the convention stage.
Sixty years later, she added, there is "no better leader to marshal us into the future," than Harris, who if elected would be the first Black and South Asian woman to become president.
Hillary Clinton pushes Harris to do what she couldn’t
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave a rousing speech making the case for Harris to do what she couldn’t – becoming the first female president.
She also attacked the man who stopped her from achieving it first: Donald Trump.
"It is no surprise that he is lying about Kamala's record. He's mocking her name and her laugh - sounds familiar," Clinton said. "We have him on the run now."
Clinton, 76, spoke earlier in the convention than some might have expected. But her remarks were some of the most memorable, electrifying Democrats inside the United Center.
“There's a lot of energy in this room, just like there is across the country," Clinton began. "Something is happening in America. You can feel it. Something we've worked for and dreamed of for a long time.”
Clinton had plenty of digs at Trump.
“Kamala locked up murderers and drug traffickers. She will never rest in defense of our freedom and safety. Donald Trump fell asleep at his own trial,” Clinton said. "And when he woke up, he made his own kind of history: The first person to run for president with 34 felony convictions."
Clinton also talked about the inspiration of her mother and former Rep. Geraldine Ferraro, the first female vice presidential running mate in 1984. Clinton brought up her 2016 election loss to Trump, saying Democrats responded by marching and running for office.
"We kept our eyes on the future. Well, my friends, the future is here. I wish my mother and Kamala's mother could see us. They would say: keep going!" Clinton said.
Reporters Trevor Hughes, Michael Loria and Tamia Fowlkes contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden's goodbye, Hillary's rallying speech lead DNC Day 1 takeaways
