Biden tugs on audience’s heartstrings with speech

Surprise appearance by Obama causes a stir at Convention

On Aug. 23, Barack Obama introduced Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware as his running mate, and the nation has been buzzing about him ever since.

Biden officially accepted his vice presidential nomination on Wednesday night with a speech that brought many audience members to tears.

Biden’s son, Beau Biden, introduced him on stage.

“Many of you know [my father] as a distinguished and accomplished senator,” he said. “I know him as an incredible father and a loving grandfather.”

Joe Biden followed up on his son’s words by saying how proud he is of all of his children and his wife Jill, who he said is “the only one who leaves me breathless and speechless at the same time.”

After the shout-outs to his family, Biden stated plainly, “Let me say this as simply as I can: Yes. Yes I accept your nomination to run and serve alongside our next President of the United States, Barack Obama.”

Biden’s acceptance of the vice presidential nomination for the Democratic Party brought loud whoops and cheers from the audience.

Biden went on to talk about his parents, who taught him and his siblings “to live our faith, and treasure our family. We learned the dignity of work, and we were told that anyone can make it if they try.”

Biden also said the American Dream is slipping away from Americans.

In a soft and concerned tone, Biden began listing concerns that the average American family has today, such as gas prices, inflation, companies cutting health care and heating bills.

“That’s the America that George Bush has left us, and that’s the future John McCain will give us,” he said. “We have the power to change it. That’s Barack Obama, and what he will do for this country. He’ll change it.”

Although Biden made some respectful remarks about John McCain (calling him a “friend”), he said he disagreed profoundly with the direction McCain wants to take the country.

“These times require more than a good soldier; they require a wise leader, a leader who can deliver change-the change everybody knows we need,” Biden said.

Biden continued by saying that McCain has had false judgment when it comes to the war in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“On the most important national security issues of our time, John McCain was wrong, and Barack Obama was proven right,” he said.

Biden ended his speech by calling on Americans to embrace change.

“This is an extraordinary election,” he said. “The American people are ready. I’m ready. Barack Obama is ready. This is his time. This is our time. This is America’s time.”

Just as Biden concluded his speech, soaked up the applause and appeared to be ready to go offstage, Obama joined him, causing screams and gasps of surprise from the audience.

Obama gave a brief speech thanking his wife and Hilary Clinton for their excellent speeches during the first two nights of the DNC, and said he was eager to greet the Convention again on Thursday night at INVESCO Field.

Biden’s sentiments on his family and his grave concerns for the average American family had more than just Jill Biden in tears. Some audience members had tears in their eyes from Beau Biden’s speech until the very end of the vice presidential candidate’s speech.

Judging from their strong and heartfelt reactions, audience members seemed to be quite taken with Biden.

“Joe Biden is brilliant,” said Camille Cooper, a guest at the DNC from Virginia. “It’s the right time for the right candidate.”

Other audience members said they felt a connection with the vice presidential candidate.

“I thought he was strong he connects with people and has a compelling story himself,” said Dan Bernal, a guest to the DNC from San Francisco. “He articulated well how Barack Obama will bring change and how McCain offers another four years of the same.”

As for the surprise appearance of Obama at the end of Biden’s speech, Bernal described the stadium’s reaction as “thunderous” and “excited.”

Contact CU Independent News Editor Julie Ryan at [email protected]