‘We’re going to win this race’: Biden calls for unity as lead over Trump grows, United States News & Top Stories



[ad_1]

WASHINGTON – Democratic candidate Joe Biden said Friday night (Nov. 6) that he was confident he would win the presidential election with a clear majority, though he failed to declare victory in a speech that occurred when the race remained undeclared for three nights after the elections. Day.

Biden said he was on track to win more than 300 electoral votes, more than the 270 needed to reclaim the White House, and noted that he had surpassed President Donald Trump in the battle states of Pennsylvania and Georgia and doubled his lead in Nevada in the last 24. hours.

“We don’t have a final victory declaration yet, but the numbers tell a clear and compelling story,” Biden said in brief remarks from the Chase Center in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware. “We are going to win this race.”

The former vice president also won the popular vote, with 74.8 million votes to Trump’s 70.5 million and counting, a record in US history.

“A record number of Americans… chose to change more of the same. They have given us a mandate for action on Covid and the economy and climate change and systemic racism, ”said Mr. Biden.

“As I wait for the final results, I want people to know that we are not waiting to get the job done,” he said.

Biden offered his condolences to the families and loved ones of the nearly 240,000 Americans who had lost their lives to Covid-19 so far, and vowed to put his plan to control the virus in motion “on the first day” of his presidency.

“We cannot save any of the lives lost,” he said. “But we can save many lives in the coming months.”

He also promised that his economic plan would put the United States on the path to a strong economic recovery.

Call to unity

Biden, who ran during a particularly bitter election with the message of uniting a fractured and divided America, called on Americans to unite and begin the healing process.

Biden, who promised to represent the entire nation as president, said: “Strong disagreements are inevitable in a democracy, and strong disagreements are healthy. They are a sign of vigorous debate, of deeply held opinions.

But we must remember: the purpose of our policy is not a total, relentless and endless war. No. The purpose of our policy, the work of the nation, is not to fan the flames of conflict, but to solve problems. “

He added: “We can be opponents, but not enemies.”

Throughout his speech, Biden mentioned Trump by name only once.

Trump spent Friday criticizing his dwindling lead on Twitter, making unsubstantiated claims that votes counted after Election Day were illegal and that cases of voter fraud were rampant. The Trump campaign has posed legal challenges to slow or stop vote counting in key states on the battlefield.

Before Biden gave his speech, Trump tweeted: “Joe Biden should not unfairly claim the office of president. I could also make that claim. The legal proceedings are just beginning! “

He said in a later tweet: “I had such a huge lead in all of these states well into election night, only to see the clues miraculously disappear as the days passed. Perhaps these clues will return as our legal proceedings progress! “

Vote counting

By the time Biden delivered his speech, Americans, and millions around the world, had spent more than 72 hours watching and waiting for the vote count, a process that is taking this election longer due to the increase in mail-in ballots due to the pandemic.

“I know watching these vote counts on television move very slowly … it can be overwhelming,” Biden said with a slight smile.

“But never forget: the counts are not just numbers, they represent votes and voters. Men and women who exercised their fundamental right to have their voices heard ”, he added.


People listening as Joe Biden speaks from Delaware through loudspeakers outside the White House in Washington on November 6, 2020. PHOTO: REUTERS

Biden urged people to wait patiently for each vote to be counted, saying it is part of the process of democracy.

“We are again demonstrating what we have demonstrated for 244 years in this country. Democracy works. Your vote will be counted. I don’t care how hard people try to stop it. I won’t let it happen, ”he said.

For live results and updates, follow our live coverage of the US elections.



[ad_2]