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Joe Biden to reject Trump's 'clenched fist, closed hand and hard heart' Biden rejects Trump's 'clenched fist' in appeal for Democratic and US unity
(about 3 hours later)
Formally launching his third presidential campaign on Saturday, Joe Biden will accuse Donald Trump of leading America with “a clenched fist, closed hand and a hard heart”. Formally launching his third presidential campaign on Saturday, Joe Biden accused Donald Trump of leading America with “a clenched fist, closed hand and a hard heart”.
Could climate change submerge Joe Biden's presidential bid?Could climate change submerge Joe Biden's presidential bid?
Biden is due to appear in Eakins Oval in Philadelphia on Saturday afternoon, two days ahead of a Trump rally elsewhere in Pennsylvania, one of the states in which blue-collar swing voters delivered the White House to the Republican in 2016. Biden was scheduled to appear at Eakins Oval in Philadelphia on Saturday afternoon, two days ahead of a Trump rally elsewhere in Pennsylvania, one of the states in which blue-collar swing voters delivered the White House to the Republican in 2016.
According to prepared remarks previewed to the website Axios, Biden will say: “If the American people want a president to add to our division, to lead with a clenched fist, closed hand and a hard heart, to demonize the opponents and spew hatred – they don’t need me. According to prepared remarks shared with the media, Biden said: “If the American people want a president to add to our division, to lead with a clenched fist, closed hand and a hard heart, to demonize the opponents and spew hatred – they don’t need me.
“They already have a president who does just that. I am running to offer our country – Democrats, Republicans and independents – a different path.”“They already have a president who does just that. I am running to offer our country – Democrats, Republicans and independents – a different path.”
Biden, a senator from Delaware for 36 years and vice-president to Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017, was a relatively late entrant to the sprawling field seeking the Democratic nomination in 2020. Biden called for party unity as the way for Democrats to counter the divisive rhetoric of the Trump presidency.
He has been criticised for his behaviour towards women, for his congressional record on racial issues and for a perceived lack of progressive policies and appeal. “Some say Democrats don’t want to hear about unity,” he said. “That they are angry – and the angrier you are, the better. That’s what they are saying to have to do to win the Democratic nomination.
“Well, I don’t believe it. I believe Democrats want to unify this nation. That’s what we’ve always been about. Unity.”
Biden was a senator from Delaware for 36 years and vice-president to Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017. He was a relatively late entrant to the sprawling field seeking the Democratic nomination in 2020, which has now reached 23 candidates.
Biden has been criticised for his behaviour towards women, including his role in hearings into allegations of sexual harassment against supreme court justice Clarence Thomas; for his congressional record on racial issues; and for a perceived lack of progressive policies and appeal.
The 76-year-old nonetheless has a handy lead in most primary polls, clear of prominent opponents including Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg.The 76-year-old nonetheless has a handy lead in most primary polls, clear of prominent opponents including Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg.
He also leads Trump in general election match-ups, among them a headline-grabbing 11-point lead in Pennsylvania in a Quinnipiac poll released this week. In return, Trump has begun to attack Biden regularly. He also leads Trump in general election match-ups, among them a headline-grabbing 11-point lead in Pennsylvania in a Quinnipiac poll released this week. In return, Trump has begun to attack Biden regularly, coining the nickname “SleepyCreepy Joe”.
Biden campaign sources told Axios the former vice-president would seek to tell Democrats a president should appeal to more than a party’s core support. About 2,000 people were expected to attend the Philadelphia event, campaign sources told the Axios website. Other candidates have claimed bigger crowds for their kick-off rallies, among them the California senator Kamala Harris. About 20,000 attended her speech in Oakland in late January.
About 2,000 people were expected to attend, the sources said. Other candidates have claimed bigger crowds for their kick-off rallies, among them the California senator Kamala Harris. About 20,000 attended her speech in Oakland in late January.
Biden mounted unsuccessful runs for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1987 and 2007.Biden mounted unsuccessful runs for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1987 and 2007.
Joe BidenJoe Biden
DemocratsDemocrats
US elections 2020US elections 2020
US politicsUS politics
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