Biden plans to use his convention speech to turn on Harris and make a case against Trump

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden will deliver the keynote address Monday night at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, symbolically handing over his party to Vice President Kamala Harris and insisting on what he says is the threat to the country if Donald Trump returns to the White House.

Four weeks ago, Biden ended his re-election bid as his party descended into a crisis of confidence about its chances against the Republican nominee after a devastating performance in their June debate. Now, Biden is poised to receive a warm welcome from many of the same officials who wanted him out of the race.

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

Biden was greeted by chants of “Thanks Joe!” on Thursday when he appeared with Harris in Maryland, and aides said he was pleased with the party’s consolidation behind Harris. Biden endorsed Harris minutes after he ended his campaign, helping orchestrate a near-seamless handover of his political operation to his vice president and avoiding a contentious fight in Chicago over the party’s future.

While Biden is no longer at the top of the ticket, his influence will be felt in Chicago, albeit in a much smaller role than if he had remained the nominee.

Speakers at the convention are expected to tout Biden’s accomplishments, from helping the country emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic to winning major investments in infrastructure, climate and health care. Harris used Biden’s policies as a basis for his own policy plans.

The convention logo still calls back to the president’s campaign logo, and United Center signs will include a quote from Biden’s Oval Office address explaining his decision to drop out, when he urged voters to back Harris: “History is in your hands”. he said then.

On Monday, the signs will feature a common Bidenism: “Spread the Faith.”

First lady Jill Biden and other members of Biden’s family will be in the arena to watch his speech, which will serve as a coda to 50 years in Democratic politics. Jill Biden will also speak at the convention Monday night.

Harris is expected to attend that night. Biden was not scheduled to attend the convention when Harris first spoke Thursday night.