Biden and Harris Join Forces in Philly for DNC

President Biden delivers remarks at the 2023 DNC Winter Meeting in Philadelphia on February 3, 2023 (Andrew McKeough/AKSM Photography).

President Biden and Vice President Harris spoke to Democrats at the DNC Winter Meeting Discussing everything from healthcare to gun control, the President and Vice President spoke on the current state of the nation, as well as their outlook for the future.

Article by Tommy Lynch, Junior White House Correspondent

PHILADELPHIA - President Biden and Vice President Harris travelled to Philadelphia on Friday for the winter meeting of the Democratic National Committee.

After being introduced by chairman Jamie Harrison, Vice President Harris walked out to Bill Withers’ “Lovely Day” being played from the speakers as the crowd chanted “M.V.P.” Harris began by speaking on the record job growth and the large investment the administration has put towards climate control.

“When someone asked me a few weeks ago for my one word to describe the new year, I said ‘Momentum’. Democrats, we are delivering,” the Vice President said.

While discussing the successes of the Biden-Harris administration, Vice President Harris continued to deliver a message of hope looking forward.

“Let us bring together those who believe in freedom and liberty… because that is what America stands for,” Harris said.

The Vice President wrapped up her speech discussing the importance of protecting marriage equality, stopping gun violence, protecting a woman’s right to choose, and to stop violence from those who are supposed to protect us.

Following Vice President Harris, President Joe Biden walked out on stage to Whitney Houston’s “Higher Love” as the crowd chanted “Four more years.”

The President began his remarks lightheartedly, by cheering on the Philadelphia Eagles as they head to the Super Bowl on February 12.

“I am Jill Biden’s husband. I want to be real clear: she is a Philly girl, so there is no way I can stand here today without saying go Eagles, fly Eagles fly… Thank God I’m a Philadelphia professional sports fan, because if I wasn’t a fan, I’d be sleeping alone.”

Biden went on to celebrate the lowest unemployment rate since 1969, the largest infrastructure investment since Eisenhower, the lowering health care costs, and the swearing in of Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first black woman on the Supreme Court.

The President then turned to his future goals, focusing on rebuilding the middle class, putting an end to trickle-down economics, and uniting the country.

“We need to build our nation… from the bottom up and the middle out, and not from the top down, because when the middle class does well, everyone does well,” President Biden said.

He then discussed the Republican party, specifically their attempt to eliminate the IRS and replace it with a 30 percent sales tax.

“[The Bill is] shifting the entire burden to the working class and middle class in America. It’s not going to happen, I’m going to veto the sucker if it ever got to me,” the President said.

Biden touched on wanting to pass childcare and paid family leave laws, as well as ban assault weapons and limit the number of bullets in a magazine. He also spoke on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals failing to bar domestic abusers who are under restraining order from possessing a firearm.

“I respect the right of responsible gun owners, but someone who has threatened or beaten a domestic partner is not a responsible gun owner,” Biden said.

The President went on to discuss the death of Tyre Nichols and the importance of the George Floyd Policing Act.

“How many more horrible tragedies, how many more ghastly videos do we have… to see before congress steps up and does its job,” The President asked.

Biden ended the speech by lightly touching on foreign relations with China, talking about his meetings with Xi Jinping when Biden was still Vice President.

“[Jinping] looked at me and he said, ‘Can you define America for me?’… I said, ‘Yes, in one word: Possibilities,” Biden said.

Biden ended his speech with a rallying cry of unity to the country.

“Nothing is beyond our capacity.  And we’re the only nation in the world that’s come out of every crisis stronger than before we went in,” Biden said, “And that’s what we’re doing now.”