US ELECTION RESULT JOE BIDEN PLEDGES TO BE “A PRESIDENT WHO UNIFIES” IN VICTORY SPEECH
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” admitting to those
who backed Donald Trump instead that “I understand your disappointment”.
“But now let’s give
each other a chance,” he urged. “it’s time to put away the harsh rhetoric,
lower the temperature see each other again and listen to each other again.”
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.
“You have protected the
integrity of our democracy,” she said
Acknowledging her
historic role as number two in the new administration, Ms. Harris predicted:
“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.”
To rousing cheers from
supporters parked up to watch, Mr. Biden employed his traditional run up to the
stage and kicked off his speech by trying to draw a line under the tight win he
clinched earlier on Saturday.
“I pledge to be a
president who seeks not to divide but unify; who doesn’t see red states and
blue states only sees the United States,” he announced.
“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 with Mr. Biden saying he would act quickly to get the
pandemic under control and next week name a panel of experts to advice him
“built on a bedrock of science”.
And he vowed to improve
the country’s international reputation adding: “our nation is shaped by the
constant battle between our better angels and our darkest impulses it is time
for our better angels to prevail.”
Other issues he
promised to champion included building prosperity, protecting people’s access
to healthcare, rooting our systemic racism, saving the climate defending
democracy.
Mr. Biden signed off
with a vision of “a nation healed” and was played off the stage to songs
including Coldplay’s “Sky full of stars”, while fireworks went off above and
lit-up drones spelled out his name