Good evening. Good evening. Thank you. Ood evening. So thank you. Ood evening. So congressman john lewis before his passing wrote democracy is not a state, it is an act. And what he meant was that americas democracy is not guaranteed. It is only as strong as our willingness to fight for it. To guard it. And never take it for granted. And protecting our democracy takes struggle, it takes sacrifice, but there is joy in it and there is progress because we the people have the power to build a better future. Cheers and applause] and when our very democracy was on the ballot in this election, with the very soul of america at stake, and the world tching, you ushered in a new day for america. To our Campaign Staff and volunteers, this extraordinary team, thank you for bringing more people than ever before into the democratic process. And for making this victory possible, to the poll workers and Election Officials across our country who have worked tirelessly to make sure every vote is counted, our nation wes you a debt of gratitude. You have protected the integrity of our democracy. And to the american people, who make up our beautiful country, thank you for turning out in record numbers to make your oices heard. And i know times have been challenging, especially the last several months, the grief, sorrow, and pain. The worries and the struggles. But we have also witnessed your courage, your resilience, and the generosity of your spirit. For four years you marched and organized for equality and justice, for our lives and for. R planet, and then you voted and you delivered a clear message. Ou chose hope and unity, decency, science, and, yes, truth. Next ose joe biden as the president of the United States f america and joe is a healer, a uniter, a tested and steady hand, a person whose own experience of loss gives him a sense of purpose that will help us as a nation reclaim our own sense of purpose. And a man with a big heart who loves with a abandon. It is his love for jill who will be an incredible first lady [cheers and applause] its his love for hunter and ashley and his grandchildren and the entire biden family. [cheers and applause] and while i first knew joe as Vice President , i really got to know him as the father who loved beau. My dear friend who we remember here today. And to my husband doug [cheers and applause] and our children cole and ella and my sister maya and our whole family, i love you all ore than i can ever express. We are so grateful to joe and jill for welcoming our family into theirs on this incredible journey. And to the woman most responsible for my presence here today, my mother who is lways in our hearts. When she came here from india at the age of 19 she maybe didnt quite imagine this moment, but she believed so deeply in an america where a moment like this is possible. And so i am thinking about her and about the generations of , asian, ck women white, latina, native american women, who throughout our nations history have paved the way for this moment tonight. Women who fought and sacrificed so much for equality and liberty and justice for all. Including the black women who are often too often overlooked but so often proved they are the backbone of our democracy. All the women who have worked to secure and protect the right to vote for over a century 100 years ago with the 19th amendment, 55 years ago with the Voting Rights act, and now in 2020 with the new generation of women in our country who cast their ballot and continue to fight for their fundamental ight to vote and be heard. Tonight i reflect on their struggle, their determination, and the strength of their vision to see what can be unburdened by what has been. And i stand on their shoulders. And what a testament it is to joes character that he has the audacity to break one of the most substantial barriers that xists in our country and select a woman as his Vice President. But while i may be the first woman in this office, i will not be the last. Because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities. And to the children of our country, regardless of your gender, our country has sent you a clear message dream with mbition, lead with conviction, and see yourself in a way that others may not simply because theyve never seen it before. But know that we will applaud you every step of the way. And to the american people, no matter who you voted for, i will strive to be a Vice President like joe was to president obama, loyal, honest, and prepared, waking up every day thinking of you and your family. Because now is when the real work begins, the hard work, the necessary work, the good work, the essential work to save lives and beat this epidemic, to rebuild our economy so it works for working people to root out systemic racism in our Justice System and society, to combat the climate crisis, to unite our country and heal the oul of our nation. And the road ahead will not be easy, but america is ready. Nd so are joe and i. We have elected a president who represents the best in us. A leader the world will respect and our children will look up to. A commander in chief who will respect our troops and keep our country safe, and a president for all americans. And it is now my great honor to introduce the president elect of the United States of america, joe biden. Cheers and applause] o hello. And the americans delawareance. I see my buddy senator tom carper down there and i think senator coons is there and i think the governor is around. S that former governor . Most importantly my sisters inlaw, my sister valerie. Anyway. Folks, the people of this nation have spoken. They delivered us a clear victory, a convincing victory, a victory for we the people. We won with the most votes ever cast on a president ial ticket in the history of the nation, 4 million. Well, i must admitted it surprised me tonight were seeing all over this nation all cities and all parts of the country, indeed across the world, an outpouring of joy, of hope, renewed faith. And tomorrow, bring a better day. And im humbled by the trust and confidence you placed in me. I pledge to be a president who seeks not to divide but unify, who doesnt see red states and blue states, only sees the i will work with all my heart of the confidence of the whole people to win the confidence of all of you. And for that is what america i believe is about. Its about people. And that is what our administration will be all about. I sought this office to restore the soul of america, to rebuild the backbone of this nation, the middle class, and to make america respected around the world again. And to unite us here at home. Its the honor of my lifetime that so many millions of americans have voted to that vision. And now the work of making that vision is real, its a task the task of our time. Folks, as i said many times before, im jills husband. And i would not be here without her love and tireless support, of jill and my son hunter and ashley my daughter and all our grandchildren and their spouses and all our families. Theyre my heart. Jill as mom, a military mom, an educater. She has dedicated her life to education. But teaching isnt just what she does. Its who she is. For american educators its a great day for you all. Youre going to have one of your own in the white house. And jills going to make a great first lady. Im so proud of her. I will have the honor of serving with a fantastic Vice President you just heard from, cam la harris. Who makes history as the first woman, first black woman, first woman of first asian descent, first daughter of immigrants, ever elected to this country. Dont tell me its not possible in the United States its long overdue and were reminded tonight of those who fought so hard for so many years to make this happen. Once again, americas bent the arc of the moral universe more toward justice. Your family, you become an honorary biden, theres no way out. To all of volunteers and worked the polls in the middle of this pandemic, local elected officials, you deserve a special thanks from the entire nation. And to my Campaign Team and all the volunteers and all who gave so much of themselves to make this moment possible, i owe you. I owe you. I owe you everything. And all those who supported us im proud of a campaign we built and ran, im proud of the coalition we put together, the broadest and most Diverse Coalition in history, democrats, republicans, independents, progressives, modernists, conservatives, ung, old, urban, suburban, rural, guy, straight, latino asians, native americans. I mean it especially those moments, and especially those moments when this campaign was at its low end end the African AmericanCommunity Stood up again for me. Youve always had my back and ill have yours. I said at the outset i wanted to represent this campaign to represent and look like america. Weve done that. Now i want the administration. So all those of you who voted for President Trump i understand the disappointment tonight. Ive lost a couple times myself. But now, lets give each other a chance. Its time to put away the harsh rhetoric, lower the temperature, see each other again, listen to each other again. And to make progress we have to stop treating our opponents as our enemies. They are not our enemies. They are americans. Hey are americans. The bible tells us to everything there is a season, a time to build, a time to reap, and a time to sow and a time to heal. This is a time to heal in america. Now this campaign is over, what is the will of the people . What is our mandate . I believe it is this, america has called upon us to marshall the forces of decency, the forces of fairness, to marshall the forces of science, and the forces of hope, and the great battles of our time. The battle to control the virus, the battle to build prosperity, the battle to secure your familys health care, the battle to achieve Racial Justice and root out systemic racism in this country. And the batle to save our planet by getting climate under control. The battle of restoring decency, defend democracy, and give everybody this this country a fair shot thats all theyre asking for, a fair shot. Folks, our work begins with getting covid under control. We cannot repair the economy, restore our vitality or relish lifes most precious moments hugging our grandchildren, our children, birthdays, weddings, graduations, all the moments that that matter most to us until we get it under control. On monday i will name a group of leading scientists and experts as transition advisers to help take the bidenharris plan and convert it into an action blueprint that will tart on january 20, 20 21. That plan will rebuild our bed rork science, it will be constructed out of compassion, empathy and concern. I will spare no effort, none, or any commitment to turn around this pandemic. Folks, im a proud democrat. But i will govern as an american president. I will work as hard for those who didnt vote for me as those who did. Let this grim eera of demonization in america begin to end here and now. Refusal of democrats and republicans to cooperate with one another is not some Mysterious Force beyond our control. It is a decision, a choice we make, and if we can decide not to cooperate then we can decide to cooperate. And i believe that this is part of the mandate given to us from the american people. They want us to cooperate in their interests. And thats a choice i will make, and ill call on congress, democrats and republicans alike, to make that choice with me. The american story is about slow yet steadily widening the opportunities in america. And make no mistake, too many dreams have been deferred for too long. We must make the promise of the country real for everybody, no matter their race, ethnicity, their faith, identity or disability. Folks, america has always been shaped by inflection points, by moments in time where we 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 lee leaguerd country a new deal. Jfk in 1960 pledging a new frontier, and 12 years ago when barack obama made history he old us yes we can. Well, folks, we stand at an inflection point. We have an opportunity to defeat despair, to build a nation of prosspert and purpose. We can do it, i know we can, ive 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 people say in this battle matters. Its time for our better angels to prevail. Tonight the whole world is watching america and i believe at our best america is a beacon for the globe. We will not we will lead not only by the example of our power but by the power of our example. I know ive always believed many of you have heard me say ive always believed we can define america in one word possibility. That in america everyone in america should be able to go as far as their dream and godgiven ability to take them. You see, i believe in the possibility of this country. Were always looking ahead ahead to an america thats free and more just, ahead to america to create jobs with dignity and respect, ahead to america that cures diseases like cancer and alzheimerses. Ahead to an america that never leaves anyone behind. Ahead to an america that never gives up, never gives in. This is a great nation. Ts always been a bad bet to bet against america. Were good people. This is the United States of america and there has never been anything never been anything we have not been able to do when weve done it together. Folks, in the last stage of the campaign i began thinking about a hymn that mean as lot to me and my family, particularly my deceased son beau. It captures the faith that sustains me and which i believe sustains america. And the hope and i hope it can provide some comfort and so long lass to 230 million thousand americans who lost a loved one to this terrible virus this year. My heart goes out to every one of you. I hope this gives you so long lass. It goes like this. He will raise you up on eagles wings, and make you design like the son and hold you like the palm of his hand. A and now together on the eagles wings we embark on the work, 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, theres never, never been anything weve tried and not been able to do. So remember, as my grand pappy said when i walked out of his home when i was a kid, he said, joey keep the faith. And our grandmother said no joey, spread it. Spread the faith. God love you all. May god bless america. And may god protect our troops. Thank you, thank you, thank you. [cheers and applause] [note] [note] just outside the white house on a street known as plaque lives matter plaza, people demonstrated in support of the Election Results right after the victory speeches by president elect joe biden and Vice President elect camilla harris. Heres a look. Hold your fire. Plaque lives matter. Black lives matter. Lack lives matter. Stay with c span for the transition of power. Cspan your unfiltered view of politics. Former f. B. I. Deputy director mccain testifies before the Senate Judiciary committee on the crossfire hurricane investigation which looks at russian interference in the 10e6 election. At 10 00 a. M. Eastern on cspan 3. Stream live or on demand or listen on the radio app. This morning Washington Post opinion writer paul waldman talks about this Years Campaign and election. Then hugo gurden also looks back at the election. Well take your calls and you can join the conversation on facebook and twitter on president elect joe biden and Vice President elect kamala harris. Washington journal is next. Host good morning, this is washington journal, november 8, 2020. In your first hour we will take your calls on joe biden getting becomeectoral votes to president elect of the United States. Yesterday they called for healing and the president elect once again promised to be a president for all americans. For his part, President Trump promised to