Joe Biden eyes legacy in emotional farewell at Democratic convention

The reception Mr Biden received from the packed Democratic convention hall was equally electric. The Democrats here in Chicago have been jubilant all day. But the cheers for the president could be as much a sign of gratitude for his grudging decision to step aside as it was a tribute to a storied political career that began in 1972 when he was first elected to Congress at the age of 29.

Tomorrow, Barack Obama will address the convention crowd. On Wednesday, Bill Clinton will have his turn. Both are former presidents who stood for – and won – re-election.

Mr Biden will not have that opportunity. Instead, he was left to define and defend his legacy as a one-term president in a speech that, barring a major national event in the next five months, will be his final address to a massive American television audience.

Toward the end of the speech, he quoted a line from a song, American Anthem.

“Let me know in my heart when my days are through, that America, America, I gave my best to you,” he said.

The crowd erupted in another round of applause.

Eight years ago, Biden passed up a presidential bid in favour of Hillary Clinton – under some not so subtle pressure from Barack Obama. Four years ago, he won the nomination, but the Covid pandemic denied him an opportunity to bask in adulation of a packed Democratic convention hall and the celebratory post-speech balloon drop.

This, then, was as close to a Democratic convention moment in the spotlight Mr Biden will get.

After his speech concluded – past midnight on the US east coast – the president left the arena and headed to Air Force One for a flight to California for a holiday. His time in Chicago, at this Democratic National Convention, was measured in hours, not days. And despite his desires just a few months ago, his remaining time as president will be measured in months, not years.