President-Elect Joe Biden addresses nation after monumental win
by Sherri Kolade
Forty-six never looked so good.
President-Elect Joe Biden was officially elected early this afternoon to be this nation’s 46th president of the United States come January.
Biden won just over 75 million or 50.58% of the popular votes, with 290 electoral votes surpassing the 270 votes needed. Trump received just over 70 million or 47.75% of the popular votes and 214 electoral votes.
Biden and Vice President-Elect Sen. Kamala Harris addressed the nation at Biden’s campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware. An outpouring of celebrations across the country noted the momentous Biden/Harris win.
Leading up to the national address, attendees at the event held their own party outside in between rows of parked vehicles lined up to hear Biden and Harris speak. The sea of jubilant supporters waved American flags up high in the night sky, also punctuated by glow-in-the-dark blue thunder sticks. Many danced, some smiled, others cried at the words of Harris, who said that Biden had the “audacity” to break one of the most substantial barriers that exist in America and select a woman as his vice president.
“While I may be the first woman in this office I will not be the last because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities,” Harris said, adding that she will strive to come correct for all Americans–regardless if they voted for her or not.
“I will strive to be…loyal, honest and prepared. Waking up everyday thinking of you and your family because now is when the real work begins,” she said.
Harris described Biden as a president who “represents the best in us,” because of his own experience with the loss of his son, Beau, which gave him a sense of purpose, and he will help the nation reclaim their own sense of purpose.
It felt as if Biden’s purpose was solidified even more tonight when he appeared on stage to the deafening roar of the crowd who cheered him on.
“My fellow Americans … folks, the people of this nation have spoken. They’ve delivered us a clear victory; a convincing victory,” Biden said amidst the continued thunderous applause. “For we the people — we’ve won with the most votes ever cast of a presidential ticket cast in the nation.”
Biden said that while he was surprised at the worldwide support for his win, the public expressions of unfiltered joy showcased that people had “renewed hope and faith” for a better day tomorrow.
“I am humbled by the trust and confidence you have placed in me. I pledge to be a president who seeks to unite not divide,” Biden said, adding that he won’t see blue or red states but the United States of America. “I sought this office to restore the soul of America. To rebuild the backbone of this nation.”
Biden said that he wants to help strengthen the middle class and make America respected around the world again more. He also smiled and told the crowd that for American educators, “it’s a great day for y’all” because the new first lady, his wife, Jill, is an educator. He also commented on how Harris will be a “fantastic” vice president while noting how her win was historic in and of itself.
“Don’t tell me it’s not possible in the United States — it’s long overdue,” Biden said, also thanking campaign volunteers, clerks, and others who made up his campaign, including the massive support from Black voters. “The African American community stood up again for me. You always had my back and I will have yours.”
Biden also put a call to action out to everyone to help heal the nation, saying it’s time to “put away harsh rhetoric.”
“To make progress we have to stop treating our opponent as enemies — they are Americans,” he said, adding that one of the monumental tasks he and Harris will work on will be to control the COVID-19 pandemic that has killed over 200,000 Americans, touched the Black community in insurmountable ways economically and physically, and impacted the country.
“On Monday I will name a group of leading scientists and experts as transition advisors to help take the Biden/Harris COVID plan and convert it into an action blueprint that will start on Jan. 20 2021,” Biden said, adding that the plan will be built on science, empathy, and concern.
Biden said that the country would go forward with faith in America and one another.
“Let us be the nation that we know we can be,” Biden said. “A nation united; a nation strengthened, a nation healed. The United States of America … there’s never been anything we’ve tried that we’ve not been able to do. .. spread the faith. God love you all.”
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