There was an explosion of joy and happy tears in many cities of the urban United States as people took to the streets dancing and singing. Some television pundits, notably Van Jones on CNN, broke down explaining the relief they felt at being freed from an ugly four-year term of a president who embodied some of the vilest human characteristics: racism, bigotry, narcissism, sexism and an unrelenting disregard for truth, facts, and science.
In a statement shortly after the race was called, Biden said: “United States, I am honored that you have chosen me to lead our great country. The work ahead will be tough, but I promise you this: I will be president. for all Americans, whether they vote for me or not. I will keep the faith they have placed in me. ” Trump, playing golf, refused to accept the result.
It will take several more days for the total vote count to be tabulated and certified by the Secretary of State in each state, as required by law, but there is no question in the minds of anyone except Trump and his staunch henchmen that Biden has won clearly and convincingly. Trump will surely challenge the people’s verdict, continuing his false claims of election fraud and manipulation, but the momentum abruptly changed on Saturday morning when the networks went public with what had been obvious for almost 24 hours.
The United States has thrown its 45th president into the dustbin of history for now, despite its growing base and the prospect of a comeback in 2024. “I WON THIS ELECTION, BY FAR!” Trump shouting in capital letters on Twitter, shortly before the race was called, perhaps anticipating the moment. But many Republicans, including Jeb Bush, who ran against him in the 2016 primaries, congratulated Biden on his victory.
I WON THIS ELECTION, BY FAR!
– Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 1604763396000
Under the United States Constitution, Trump will remain president until noon on January 20, when the term of the new presidency opens, long enough for many to fear to fan the flames of racial strife and raze the country. Coronavirus cases in the US have already surpassed 100,000 every day for the past four days, with 1,000 deaths every day, with reckless indifference on Trump’s part, at least in public. In a strong closing statement, his own chief of staff, Mike Meadows, a fervent advocate of “no mask,” was diagnosed with the virus on Friday.
In sharp contrast, Biden on Friday night, hours before the race was called even though the result was obvious, spoke at length about addressing the health and economic crisis, rather than gloating over the impending victory. Mindful of convention and optics, he declared, without claiming victory, that he is mandated to begin preparing for a transition to the White House with what was widely seen as a presidential speech laced with empathy and grace, focusing on addressing the coronavirus. and the economy. as priority issues.
“We don’t have a final victory declaration yet, but the numbers tell a clear and compelling story – we’re going to win this race,” Biden said in late-night remarks in Wilmington, Delaware, speaking for seven minutes with his vice president-elect Kamala Harris at his side. .
He also called for national unity, saying: “We can be opponents, but not enemies. No matter who you voted for, I’m sure of one thing: the vast majority of the 150 million Americans want to get the virulence out of our politics. We’re certainly not going to agree on many of the issues, but we can at least agree to be civil to each other. ”
“Let’s leave anger and demonization behind. It is time for us to come together as a nation and heal.”
While the growing advantage in at least three battlefield states had put him on the cusp of a comfortable victory, Biden has repeatedly refused to claim a formal victory, urging patience until all votes are counted.
“I know that watching these vote counts on television progresses very slowly, and as slow as it is, it can be overwhelming. But never forget: the counts are not just numbers, they represent votes and voters, men and women who exercised their right. fundamental for their voice to be heard. And what is becoming clearer by the hour is that a record number of Americans, of all races, beliefs and religions, chose to change more of the same, “he said, noting only his recovery from Blue Wall that Trump had brought down in 2016, but also the popular vote nationwide where he is four million votes ahead of Trump.
“We both know that tensions can be high after a tough election, the one we have had. But we must remember, we must remain calm, be patient and let the process work while we count all the votes,” he said. advised.
Much of Biden’s comments were aimed at getting to work, with the implicit assumption that he would be sworn in on the constitutionally designated inauguration day, January 20, 2021.
Claiming that voters had given the Biden-Harris ballot a mandate for action on Covid, the economy, climate change, systemic racism, the former vice president revealed that he and Kamala Harris were already holding meetings with groups of health experts. public and economic crises facing the country, even as coronavirus cases have soared to more than 100,000 in each of the last four days with more than 1,000 deaths per day.
“We can never measure all the pain, loss and suffering that so many families have experienced. I know what it feels like to lose someone and I want them to know that they are not alone. Our hearts break with” We cannot save any of the lives that they have been lost, but we can save many lives in the months to come, “Biden said in one of the most empathetic moments of the speech, promising that on the first day, his administration would” put into action our plan to control this virus. ”
“We have serious problems to deal with: Covid, the economy, racial justice, climate change. We have no more time to waste on partisan warfare,” Biden said, amid apprehensions of civil unrest and a social conflagration. given the Trump. incessant campaign claims that the elections were rigged to defeat the president.
Kamala Harris calls Biden after calling elections
Moments after the race was called, Kamala Harris, on a walk with her husband Doug Emhoff on a bright fall morning, posted a video of her phone call to Biden in which she said, “We did it, we did it, Joe. You’re going to be the next president of the United States. ” Emhoff posted a photo of him hugging Kamala with the caption: Very proud of you. Biden’s social media call sign changed to “president-elect” and Kamala Harris’s to “vice president-elect.”
We did it, @JoeBiden. https://t.co/oCgeylsjB4
– Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) 1604769807000
Meanwhile, Trump was playing golf in Virginia, where a protester allegedly waved a banner that read “Bon Voyage!” The Trump campaign issued a statement saying that the race is not over and that “as of Monday, our campaign will begin to process our case in court to ensure that electoral laws are fully respected and that the rightful winner is seated.”
Many commentators also reflected on a truly historic moment when the US elected its first vice president, of any ethnicity or race, not just black and American Indian, directly and second in line to the president. The turning point in a country that now has more female voters than it does came after 244 years of male dominance, mostly white, which drew 45 men (44 white and one, Barack Obama, of mixed race) as president, and 48 vice presidents (all white men).
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