President Joe Biden, originally slated to deliver the closing remarks at the Democratic National Convention, will instead only give a speech on the opening night as he fades into the shadows and "turns the keys over" to Vice President Kamala Harris, the new presumptive Democratic nominee.
"Monday night is Joe’s night. And then he’ll turn the keys over [to Harris]," an individual familiar with the internal deliberations told CNN.
For months, Biden was expected to clinch the Democratic nomination and deliver the convention’s closing remarks, but the octogenarian was demoted to opening night—typically reserved for the outgoing president—after he dropped his reelection bid, caving to mounting pressure from the Democratic Party to step aside.
Harris has secured enough Democratic delegates since Biden’s withdrawal from the race on July 21 and will be formally nominated as the party’s candidate at the Chicago convention, scheduled for August 19-22.
The opening night’s programming will highlight Biden’s "legacy and achievements" before pivoting to the 59-year-old vice president’s campaign, according to CNN. "[The convention] is our opportunity to tell our story directly to the American people, rally behind the Democratic nominees, and grow our broad and diverse coalition to defeat Donald Trump," DNC spokesman Matt Hill told the outlet.
Harris’s running mate is set to be announced next week and will address the convention on August 21. Other anticipated speakers include former president Bill Clinton, former president Barack Obama, former first lady Michelle Obama, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, and Doug Emhoff, Harris's husband.
Republican nominee Donald Trump, who had scheduled a second debate with Biden on September 10 before the octogenarian dropped out, said he will wait until after Harris gets her party’s official nomination before committing to any debate with her.
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