President-elect Joe Biden speaks to the nation
In a speech from Wilmington, Del., the president-elect said he hoped to unify the nation.
Video Transcript
JOE BIDEN: Folks, America has always been shaped by inflection points, by moments in time. We've made hard decisions about who we are and what we want to be. Lincoln in 1860, coming to save the Union, FDR in 1932, promising a beleaguered country a New Deal, JFK in 1960, pledging a new frontier, and 12 years ago, when Barack Obama made history. He told us, yes, we can.
[CHEERING]
[CAR HORNS HONKING]
Well, folks, we stand at an inflection point. We have an opportunity to defeat despair, to build a nation of prosperity and purpose. We can do it. I know we can.
I've long talked about the battle for the soul of America. We must restore the soul of America. Our nation is shaped by the constant battle between our better angels and our darkest impulses. And what presidents say in this battle matters. It's time for our better angels to prevail.
Tonight, the whole world is watching America. And I believe, at our best, America's a beacon for the globe. We will lead not only by the example of our power, but by the power of our example.
[CAR HORNS HONKING]
[CHEERING]
I know I've always believed-- many of you heard me say-- I've always believed we can define America in one word-- possibilities.
[CHEERING]
That, in America, everyone should be given an opportunity to go as far as their dreams and God-given ability, will take them. You see, I believe in the possibilities of this country. We're always looking ahead, ahead to an America that's freer and more just, ahead to an America that creates jobs with dignity and respect, ahead of America that cures diseases like cancers and Alzheimer's, ahead to an America that never leaves anyone behind, ahead of America that never gives up, never gives in.
[CAR HORNS HONKING]
[APPLAUSE]
This is a great nation. It's always been a bad bet to bet against America. We're good people. This is the United States of America. And there's never been anything, never been anything we've been able-- not able to do when we've done it together.
Folks, in the last days of the campaign, I began thinking about a hymn that means a lot to me, to my family, particularly my deceased son Beau. It captures the faith that sustains me and which I believe sustains America.
- Yeah!
JOE BIDEN: And I hope it can provide some comfort and solace to 230 million-- thousand Americans who've lost a loved one to this terrible virus this year. My heart goes out to each and every one of you. Hopefully, this hymn gives you solace as well. And it goes like this.
And he will raise you up on eagle's wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, and make you to shine like the sun and hold you in the palm of his hand. And now, together on eagle's wings, we embark on the work that God and history have called upon us to do, with full hearts and steady hands, with faith in America and in each other, with love of country, a thirst for justice.
Let us be the nation that we know we can be, a nation united, a nation strengthened, a nation healed, the United States of America, ladies and gentlemen. There's never, never been anything we've tried we've not been able to do.
So remember, as my grandpop, our grandpop, used to say when I walked out of his home when I was a kid up in Scranton, he said, Joey, keep the faith. And our grandmother, when she was alive, she'd yelled, no, Joey, spread it. Spread the faith. God love you all. May God bless America, and may God protect our truth.
