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Joe Biden vows to unify Americans and heal divides as US President

Joe Biden has vowed to unify Americans and heal deep divides across the country in his first spee...
Newsroom
Newsroom

08.24 8 Nov 2020


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Joe Biden vows to unify Americ...

Joe Biden vows to unify Americans and heal divides as US President

Newsroom
Newsroom

08.24 8 Nov 2020


Share this article


Joe Biden has vowed to unify Americans and heal deep divides across the country in his first speech since being named US President-elect.

He pledged to "work with all my heart to win the confidence of the whole people" and said now was the time to "give each other a chance".

He said: "It's time to put away the harsh rhetoric, lower the temperature, see each other again and listen to each other again."

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Kamala Harris, the Vice President-elect, introduced Mr Biden at their drive-in rally in Wilmington, Delaware, and, before he took to the stage, praised officials who oversaw election counts.

She said: "You have protected the integrity of our democracy".

Ms Harris is the first woman to be elected Vice President and the first person of colour in the role.

"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.

Mr Biden is projected to be the 46th President of the United States after a nail-biting race.

The Democratic candidate gained an unbeatable lead in Pennsylvania yesterday, taking its 20 Electoral College votes and past the 270 needed to win the White House.

He said: "I pledge to be a president who seeks not to divide but to unify; who doesn't see red states and blue states - only sees the United States.

"To make progress, we have to stop treating our opponents as enemies. They are not our enemies, they are Americans."

Coronavirus was a major feature of his speech, while Mr Biden vowed to improve the country's international reputation, as well as to build prosperity, protect people's access to healthcare, root out systemic racism, save the climate and defend democracy.

Meanwhile, Mr Trump is refusing to concede and has vowed to launch legal action, challenging the legitimacy of the result by claiming - without evidence - voter fraud and ballot stuffing on a mass scale.

He was playing golf when the announcement was made, and has since proclaimed "I WON THE ELECTION" on Twitter.

World leaders have already sent congratulations, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin saying that Joe Biden will be "the most Irish President since JFK".

Barack Obama, whom Mr Biden served as vice-president under, has warned the US "remains deeply and bitterly divided", so Americans should "lower the temperature and find some common ground".

Mr Biden has already launched his transition planning, so he can hit the ground running when he takes office in a few months.

After being inaugurated on January 20th, he will officially become the president and US commander-in-chief.

Additional reporting by IRN

Main image: Vice President-elect Kamala Harris holds hands with President-elect Joe Biden and her husband Doug Emhoff as they celebrate Saturday. Credit: AP Photo/Andrew Harnik

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Barack Obama Donald Trump Election 2020 Joe Biden Kamala Harris Presidential Election US Election US President

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