The Democratic National Convention is parading its best voices in front of America: Hillary Clinton Monday, Michelle and Barack Obama Tuesday, Bill Clinton Wednesday, rising stars from the House, Senate and governorships all week long.
On Monday night, however, the reason Democrats were headed for defeat weeks ago was on full display. In his late-night remarks, President Biden could have left the political stage to rising popular acclaim if he delivered a speech on how thankful he is for having been allowed to serve his state and country. Such a humble approach would have drawn heightened gratitude from Democrats in the convention hall and watching at home. Instead, he reminded the country why he was one of the two most unpopular presidential candidates in modern history.
His speech looked like it would be emotional when it started. Mr. Biden wiped his eyes and embraced his daughter Ashley after she introduced him to speak. A man who has given more than a half-century to the Democratic Party then gave his political goodbye. It wasn’t pretty.
Mr. Biden offered a few grace notes toward the end of his roughly 48-minute speech, saying, “Nowhere else in the world could a kid with a stutter and modest beginnings in Scranton, Pa., and Claymont, Del., grow up to sit behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office.” He drew sustained cheers at the close, by admitting he’d “made a lot of mistakes in my career. But I gave my best to you.”
The rest of the address, however, was spent heralding his record, which Americans have largely rejected. Mr. Biden appeared to be obsessed with justifying his accomplishments—not to voters, who are no longer considering him, but to future historians, hoping to rise in their ratings of past presidents. His subtext seemed to be: “I deserve more credit than I’ve received.”
Mr. Biden’s remarks were disjointed, overly familiar and tired. It was as if his staff said it’s his last convention speech, so let him say what he wants. His tone wasn’t conversational or empathetic. He shouted. He showed anger, or at least bitterness. His jaw was hard, his eyes dark slits, and his head moved mechanically from side to side as he read from the teleprompter. The longer he went, the older and more frail he looked.
His speech underscored, if unwittingly, how wise Democrats were to pressure him to step aside for Kamala Harris. Donald Trump would have beaten him badly.
It’s little wonder that the dominant emotion for Democrats in Chicago and around the country this week is profound relief. They swapped a sure loser for a newer, younger face. Ms. Harris gives Democrats a fighting chance, despite her history of very left-wing views.
Since Mr. Biden’s withdrawal July 21, the polls have moved her direction. While Mr. Biden trailed Mr. Trump in the RealClearPolitics national average by 3.1 points on the day the president exited, Ms. Harris was ahead of the former president by 1.5 points Wednesday. If the Democratic convention helps more Americans get to know Ms. Harris and her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz, in a favorable light, that margin will likely grow. Watch the wave of post-Labor Day surveys.
