CT delegates join DNC in tribute to Biden — and focus on Harris

CHICAGO — President Joe Biden began his farewell from American politics Monday with a late-night valedictory address to a recharged and relieved Democratic Party that already has pivoted to the chosen successor who made a surprise appearance, Vice President Kamala Harris.

Biden entered the Democratic National Convention to a raucous ovation and choreographed demonstration lasting four minutes. He drank in the adulation, seemingly briefly overcome. Then he turned to promoting Harris and tearing down her opponent, Donald J. Trump, as a threat to decency and democracy.

“You cannot say you love your country only when you win,” Biden said, a shot at Trump’s baseless claim the election was stolen, fuel for an extraordinary attack on the Capitol. “Democracy prevailed. Democracy has delivered. And now democracy must be preserved.”

The opening night was an emotional success, though hardly an exercise in focused storytelling for television.

“I want to kick us off by celebrating our incredible president, Joe Biden,” Harris told delegates three hours before he arrived. But a long lineup of other speakers, most focused on praising Harris or attacking Trump, delayed the start of Biden’s 53-minute speech until 11:25 p.m. EDT, well past prime time.

Even before the president entered the United Center, Connecticut delegates expressed gratitude that not only had the 81-year-old Biden ceded the nomination, but he cleared the field for Harris, who has won over doubters, energized the party and surged in many polls.

“It’s been amazing,” said U.S. Rep. John B. Larson, who represents greater Hartford in Congress. “I have to say I was skeptical.”

“Joe Biden has brought this party together in a way no one could imagine,” said U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes, whose reelection to a fourth term in the competitive 5th Congressional District of western Connecticut can only benefit from a stronger top of the ticket.

“We now move forward — with his support — for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz and a seamless transition,” said U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, who has known Biden for more than 30 years. “There was no bloodletting.”

Biden assured that on July 21, the day he withdrew, by quickly endorsing Harris and turning over his campaign and its funds.

“He’s really responsible for her being the candidate,” said Chris Dodd, the former Connecticut senator and longtime Biden friend . “There were a lot of people that wanted an open convention, primaries, all sorts of things that would have been a nightmare.”

Often paired with digs at Trump, Biden tried to burnish a record that has not impressed most Americans, as judged by approval ratings. He talked about the passage of an infrastructure spending plan, something Trump repeatedly promised without delivering.

“You never built a damn thing!” Biden said.

Biden said Trump sabotaged a bipartisan border and immigration bill negotiated by Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, just so Trump could continue to use the issue against him. Trump successfully convinced Republicans to block passage.

“My God! Think about it,” Biden said. “Typically Trump, putting himself first and America last.”

Opening night was built around a tribute to Biden, but speakers ranging from Hillary Clinton to Steve Kerr, coach of the Olympic champion men’s basketball team, keyed on Harris, who could become the first woman to win the White House.

Clinton, who was denied that place in history in 2016 by Donald J. Trump, the man Biden drove from office four years later and Harris now is trying to defeat, entered to an ovation that lasted more than one minute. Smiling broadly, she called the roaring applause evidence of a party on the move.

“Something’s happening across our country,” Clinton said. “You can feel it.”

She only obliquely referred to her shattering loss.

“Afterwards, we refused to give up on America. Millions marched. Many ran for office. We kept our eyes on the future,” Clinton said. “Well, my friends, the future is here.”

Kerr, a rarity in the coaching ranks for his willingness to speak out on political issues, said the best leaders in any endeavor display dignity, truthfulness and an ability to laugh at themselves and love others.

“And if you look for those qualities in your friends, or your boss, or your child’s teacher, or your mayor, then shouldn’t you want those same qualities in your president?” Kerr said. “And when you think about it that way, this is no contest.”

In the Connecticut delegation, the divide that opened over whether Biden should step aside after his faltering debate performance has largely closed. U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney of Connecticut’s 2nd District said unity was the goal of any convention.

Luke Bronin, the former Hartford mayor, had talked to Democrats about signing a letter urging Biden to give way after the debate. U.S. Rep. Jim Himes of Fairfield County’s 4th District was among the elected Democrats who publicly called for Biden to cede the presidential nomination. Gov. Ned Lamont privately told the White House that Biden had been badly damaged.

“I think that moment was hard for everybody,” said Bronin, a delegate. “I think almost every Democrat believes that President Biden has been a really effective president and feels not only enormous respect and gratitude toward him, but also genuine affection and love.”

“The energy and enthusiasm within our party for this new ticket is unrivaled in my lifetime, with the exception of the early days of [President Barack] Obama,” said Comptroller Sean Scanlon. “And I think people in our party clearly understand the stakes of this election. They love Joe Biden, but they worried about Joe Biden’s capacity to prosecute the case that we need to prosecute against Donald Trump.”

Biden, who stumbled over the word “electoral” in an otherwise strong performance, closed by talking about overcoming his lifelong struggle with stuttering.

“America is and always has been a nation of possibilities,” Biden said. “We must never lose that.”

He promised to be the best volunteer in the Harris-Walz campaign.

As he did in his inaugural address, Biden quoted a song, American Anthem, that was written by Gene Scheer and popularized by Norah Jones.

“Let me know in my heart When my days are through / America, America, I gave my best to you.”

DNC 2024:

1. Former CT GOP Rep. Chris Shays visits Democratic Convention
2. On a difficult night, Chris Dodd and Joe Biden’s friendship endures
3. ‘Hottest ticket in town’: CT delegates rally in Chicago for Harris