Imran Yaqub
New York
Former Vice President Joe Biden officially became the 2020 presidential nominee for the Democratic Party after a virtual roll call vote that showed off the geographic and demographic diversity of both the party and the United States.
Biden had long been the party’s presumptive nominee but Tuesday’s roll call vote formally put him into the position that he had sought twice previously. He is set to accept the nomination in a speech on Thursday.
Two Democratic former presidents, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, and former Secretary of State Colin Powell, a Republican, endorsed Mr Biden.
Mr Clinton said President Donald Trump had brought “chaos” to the Oval Office. This is Mr Biden’s third White House bid, having formerly run in 1988 and 2008. The 77-year-old’s campaign appeared to be in danger of collapse back in February this year.
On the second night of the party convention, with the theme “leadership matters,” Mr Clinton delivered the key address. Clinton said in his five-minute message pre-recorded from his home in Chappaqua, New York. “Well, we are the only major industrial economy to have its unemployment rate triple. “At a time like this, the Oval Office should be a command centre. Instead, it’s a storm centre. There’s only chaos.”
Following addresses from former First Lady Michelle Obama and Senator Bernie Sanders on Monday, Tuesday’s speeches aimed to persuade voters the Democratic party is the best suited to repair problems at home and abroad.
Mr Powell said he supported him for president because “we need to restore those values to the White House”. He joins several Republicans who have endorsed Mr Biden, including former Ohio Governor John Kasich during the first night of the convention.
