President Biden’s speech on the continuing assault on democracy
On Wednesday evening at 7PM ET, President Joe Biden is set to deliver a speech on the continuing threat to American democracy. Excerpts from the speech have already been released, showing that Biden will warn against candidates for office who have already committed to thwarting the outcomes of democratic elections. Biden will reportedly make the speech from the DNC, not the White House.
“This is also the first national election since the events of January 6, when an armed, angry mob stormed the US Capitol. I wish I could say the assault on our democracy ended that day. But I cannot. As I stand here today, there are candidates running for every level of office in America: for governor, for Congress, for attorney general, for secretary of state who won’t commit to accepting the results of the elections they’re in.
That is the path to chaos in America. It’s unprecedented. It’s unlawful. And, it is un-American. As I’ve said before, you can’t love your country only when you win.”
Join us for live coverage of the speech as the president speaks.
Heartfelt and passionate, straightforward and unflinching. You couldn’t ask for more.
“I hope you’ll ask a question of every candidate … will that person accept the outcome of the election, win or lose? … On that question hangs the fate of the nation.”
This is a moving and touching speech, in which Biden is really pushing to reach those “better angels.” He’s laying it out there, putting in everything he has.
“I believe the voices calling for violence are a distinct minority in America, but they are loud, and they are determined.”
“A vote is not a partisan tool, to be counted when it helps your candidate, and tossed aside when it doesn’t.”
Biden’s speech is a powerful lesson in the difference between democracy and autocracy. It should be heard. It’s not clear that those who most need to be reached can be reached. “Disunion, and chaos, are not inevitable. There’s been anger before in America. There’s been division before in America. But we have never given up on the American experiment.”
Biden hammers home how the 2020 election is the most reviewed, most examined, and most certain election in history. But Trump is still leveraging the big lie and the GOP is working in advance to damage the 2022 election before votes are even cast. “This is not about me. It’s about all of us. It’s about what makes America, America.”
“We the people must decide whether we’ll have fair and free elections, and every vote counts.”
Biden makes it clear that other issues, from abortion to Social Security, are important, and that the parties have their differences, But the threat to democracy is not like other issues. “Today, I appeal to all Americans, regardless of party, to meet this moment of national importance.”
“My fellow Americans, we’re facing a defining moment. An inflection point. We must say with one overwhelming, unified voice and speak as a country, to say that there is no place for intimidation, no place period.”
Biden makes an example of Georgia’s Republican Sec. of State Brad Raffensperger, who received threats against himself and his family for refusing to falsify votes for Trump.
Biden starts out immediately talking about the break in at Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s house and the attack on Paul Pelosi. “The assailant entered the home saying ‘Where’s Nancy? Where’s Nancy?’ Those are the very same words used by the mob on Jan. 6.”
Powered by WPeMatico