Joe Biden has formally accepted the Democratic presidential nomination on Thursday night and gave a speech expressing hope and unity.
He also criticized President Donald Trump for his failure to manage the coronavirus pandemic and address the issue of systemic racism. He demanded a stronger response and solutions for the economic and health-care crises brought by the Covid-19 outbreak.
"What we know about this president is if he’s given four more years he will be what he’s been the last four years. A president who takes no responsibility, refuses to lead, blames others, cozies up to dictators, and fans the flames of hate and division. He will wake up every day believing the job is all about him. Never about you," Biden said, referring to Trump.
Biden hoped history would “be able to say that the end of this chapter of American darkness began here tonight as love and hope and light joined in the battle for the soul of the nation.”
He called for hope and light and love, "hope for our futures, light to see our way forward, and love for one another." He also stressed that the country is not just about the differing interests of "Red States or Blue States."
"We can choose the path of becoming angrier, less hopeful, and more divided. A path of shadow and suspicion. Or we can choose a different path, and together, take this chance to heal, to be reborn, to unite. A path of hope and light," he said.
Biden also expressed his gratitude to former President Barack Obama. "Thank you, Mr. President. You were a great president. A president our children could – and did – look up to."
Coronavirus pandemic
Biden said that when he becomes president, the first step he will take is to manage the virus that has damaged many lives.
"We will never get our economy back on track, we will never get our kids safely back to school, we will never have our lives back, until we deal with this virus," he said.
"The President keeps telling us the virus is going to disappear. He keeps waiting for a miracle. Well, I have news for him, no miracle is coming. We lead the world in confirmed cases. We lead the world in deaths. Our economy is in tatters, with Black, Latino, Asian American, and Native American communities bearing the brunt of it. And after all this time, the president still does not have a plan. Well, I do," he continued.
However, Biden emphasized the importance of unity at the end of his speech.
"I believe there is only one way forward. As a united America. United in our pursuit of a more perfect Union. United in our dreams of a better future for us and for our children. United in our determination to make the coming years bright," he said.
"With passion and purpose, let us begin – you and I together, one nation, under God – united in our love for America and united in our love for each other."
