Tonight in Philadelphia President Biden threw down a gauntlet at the feet of those who would determine our future with a toxic mixture of lies, threats of violence and repression.

Joe Biden is experienced enough to know that that gauntlet will be picked up by many – many who are covetous of power over women, over even greater hoards of wealth, over even the souls of their fellow citizens.

He did not shrink from his duty to enunciate clearly the challenge before us, we must not shrink from our duty to defend him.

Full text:

“I speak to you tonight from sacred ground and American Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

This is where America made its Declaration of Independence to the world, where two centuries ago with an idea unique among nations and in America: We’re all created equal. This is where the United States Constitution was written and debated.

This is where we set in motion the most extraordinary experiment of self-government, the world has ever known.

With three simple words, “we the people … we the people.” These two documents and the ideas embody equality and democracy … [and] are the rock upon which this nation is built. They are how we became the greatest nation on earth.

They’re why, for more than two centuries, America has been a beacon to the world. As I stand here tonight, equality and democracy are under assault.

We do ourselves no favor to pretend otherwise.

But tonight, I’ve come to this place where it all began to speak as plainly as I can to the nation about the threat we face, about the power we have in our own hands to meet these threats, and about the incredible future that lies in front of us if only we choose it.

But never forget. We the people are the true heirs of the American experiment that began more than two centuries ago.

We the people are burning inside of each of us. The flame of liberty that was led here in Independence Hall. The flame the lit our way through abolition, the Civil War, suffrage, the Great Depression. World Wars, civil rights.

That sacred flame still burns.

Now in our time—as we build an America that is more prosperous, free and just—that is the work of my presidency. A mission I believe in with my whole soul.

But first, let’s be honest with each other and with ourselves.

Too much of what’s happening in our country today is not normal.

Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our republic.

I want to be very clear, very clear upfront. Not every Republican, not even a majority of Republicans, are MAGA Republicans. Not every Republican embraces their extreme ideology. I know because I’ve been able to work with these mainstream Republicans.

But there’s no question that the Republican Party today is dominated, driven and intimidated by Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans. And that is a threat to this country. These are hard things.

But I’m an American president. Not a president of red America, blue America. For all Americans.

I believe it’s my duty, my duty to level with you, to tell the truth, no matter how difficult, no matter how painful.

“And here, in my view, is what is true.

“MAGA Republicans do not respect the Constitution, do not believe in the rule of law. They did not recognize the will of the people and refuse to accept the results of a free election.

And they’re working right now, as I speak in state after state, to give power to the side elections in America. To partisans and cronies, empowering election deniers and undermine democracy itself.

MAGA forces are determined to take this country backwards, backwards to an America where there is no right to choose, no right to privacy, no right to contraception, no right to marry who you love.

They promote authoritarian leaders and they fanned the flames of political violence that are a threat to our personal rights, to the pursuit of justice, the rule of law, the very soul of this country.

And look at the mob that stormed the United States Capitol on January 6, brutally attacking law enforcement, not as insurrectionists placing a dagger at the throat of our democracy, but they’re looked at as patriots.

They see their MAGA failure to stop a peaceful transfer of power after the 2020 election as preparation for the 2022 and 2024 elections.

They tried everything last time to nullify the votes of 81 million people.

This time, they’re determined to succeed in thwarting the will of the people.

That’s why respected conservatives, like federal Circuit Court Judge Michael Luttig, has called Trump and extreme MAGA Republicans a clear and present danger to our democracy.

“While the threat to American democracy is real, I want to say as clearly as we can: We are not powerless in the face of these threats. We are not bystanders in this ongoing attack on democracy.

There are far more Americans, from every background and belief, who reject extreme MAGA ideology than those who accept it. It is within our power. Folks, it’s in our hands, yours and mine, to stop the assault on American democracy.

I believe America is at an inflection point, one of those moments that determine the shape of everything that’s to come after. And now America must choose to move forward or to move backwards. To build a future or obsess about the past. To be a nation of hope and unity and optimism or a nation of fear … and of darkness.

I agree Republicans have made their choice. They embrace anger. They thrive on chaos. They live not in the light of truth but in the shadow of lies.

Together we can choose a different path. We can choose a better path forward to the future. A future of possibility, a future to build and dream and hope. We’re on that path moving ahead.

I know this nation. I know you, the American people. I know your courage. I know your hearts and I know our history. This is a nation that honors our Constitution. We do not reject it. This is a nation that believes in the rule of law. We do not repudiate it. This is a nation that respects free and fair elections. We honor the will of the people; we do not deny it.

This is a nation that rejects violence as a political tool. We do not encourage violence. We are still Americans who believe in honesty and decency and respect for others. Patriotism. Liberty. Justice for all. Hope. And possibility.

We are still at our core a democracy, and yet history tells us that blind loyalty to a single leader and a willingness to engage in political violence is fatal to democracy. For a long time, we told ourselves that American democracy is guaranteed. But it’s not.

We have to defend it. Protect it. Stand up for it. Each and every one of us. That’s why tonight I’m asking our nation to come together and unite behind the single purpose of defending our democracy regardless of your ideology.

We are all called by duty and conscience to confront extremists who put their own pursuit of power above all else. Democrats, independents, mainstream Republicans must be stronger, more determined and more committed to saving American democracy than MAGA Republicans are to destroying American democracy. We the people will not let anyone or anything tear us apart.

Today, there are dangers around us, we can’t allow them to prevail. We hear, you heard it: more and more talk about violence as an acceptable political tool in this country. It can never be an acceptable tool.

I want to say this plain and simple: There is no place for political violence in America. Period. None. Ever.

You saw law enforcement brutally attacked on January the 6th. We’ve seen election officials, poll workers and volunteers of both parties subjected to intimidation and death threats. Can you believe it? FBI agents just doing their job, as directed, facing threats to their own lives? From their own fellow citizens?

On top of that, there are public figures—today, yesterday, the day before—predicting and all but calling for mass violence and rioting in the streets. This is inflammatory. It’s dangerous. It’s against the rule of law. And we the people must say, ‘This is not who we are.’

Ladies and gentlemen, we can’t be pro-insurrectionist and pro-American. They’re incompatible. We can’t allow violence to be normalized in this country. It’s wrong. We have to reject political violence with all the moral clarity and conviction this nation can muster. Now, we can’t let the integrity of our elections be undermined, for that is a path to chaos.

Look, I know politics can be fierce and mean and nasty in America. I get it. I believe in the give and take of politics and disagreement and debate and dissent. We’re a big complicated country. But democracy endures only if we the people respect the guardrails of the republic. Only if we the people accept the results of free and fair elections. Only if we the people see politics not as total war but mediation of our differences.

Democracy cannot survive when one side believes there are only two outcomes in an election: either they win or they were cheated. And that’s where the MAGA Republicans are today. They don’t understand what every patriotic American knows: You can’t love your country only when you win. It’s fundamental.

American democracy only works only if we choose to respect the rule of law and the institutions that were set up in this chamber behind me. Only if we respect our legitimate political differences. I will not stand by and watch elections stolen by people who simply chose not to accept an idea. I will not stand by as the most fundamental freedom in this country, the freedom to vote and have your vote counted, be taken from you and the American people.

As your president, I will defend our democracy with every fiber of my being. And I’m asking everyone to join.

Throughout our history, Americans often made the greatest progress coming out of some of our darkest moments, like you’re hearing that bullhorn (someone could be heard shouting in the background.) I believe we can and must do that again.

MAGA Republicans look at Americans and see carnage and darkness and despair. They spread fear and lies, lies both for profit and power.

I see a different America: an America with an unlimited future. An America that is about to take off. I hope you see it, as well. Just look around. I believe we can lift America from the depths of COVID, so we passed the largest economic recovery bill since President [Franklin Delano] Roosevelt, and today, America’s economy is faster, stronger than any other advanced nation in the world.”

This was perhaps the most courageous speech of our lifetimes, at perhaps the most perilous point in our history since our entrance into World War II.

While not as eloquent as FDR, or John Kennedy or Dr. King, Biden has courage.

There will be a lot of anger tonight, tomorrow and for the foreseeable future.

Let us all meet it with the same determination and grit the President displayed tonight.

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5 COMMENTS

  1. I’m starting to think Biden is on to something with his now continual use of the term MAGA Republican. He’s branding part (sadly, and worse dangerously a big part) of the GOP and with the traditional election season kicking off now gotten in an early punch in defining Republicans in many races. I have MSNBC on and in some back and forth Stephanie Ruhle emphasized that every single Republican is going to get asked if they are MAGA Republican. Given how many have been scrubbing their social media presence of all things Trump in the past week this will be more spectacular contortionist performance art than a Circ de Soleil show in Vegas!

    I have little faith mainstream journalists will hold Republican’s feet to the fire, but somehow they will all get caught on camera being asked the question. Get ready for meme after meme of them fleeing in terror! What’s important though is that for some Republicans, the ones who found Trump incredibly offensive but held their noses and voted for him and other GOP candidates because they wanted their goddamned tax cuts and fewer (actually no as in none) regulations Biden is setting up a proverbial off-ramp. Trump isn’t going to STFU. That can be counted on. The DOJ and maybe even state prosecutors will “go dark” soon but you can bet Trump will be out there bellowing at the top of his lungs “SEE? They got nothing!” So, even if his name isn’t on a single ballot in print, his name will be next to that of every GOP candidate for every office up and down the ballot. And we all know what happened in 2018 when a LOT of suburban Republicans (mostly women) decided enough was enough and sent Trump a not at all subtle message.

    Get ready for it to happen again. AND add in reproductive rights, which is something that will hit home with working class and poor conservative voters in rural/small town America. It might not make much difference in the House, but an extra one or even two points statewide will be huge in Senate races. And then there are state level races, where a lot of Republican voters will maybe have Trump fatigue, and some anger that GOP politicians didn’t rein him in more.

    I’m still not of a frame of mind to think we will prevail in November, but I feel like we have a real chance. We do however need to be extremely prepared, and well-organized down to the precinct level to counter what will be an unprecedented wave of voter suppression, intimidation (of election workers too) intimidation and even violence. And protests at statehouses because in some states GOP legislatures will try to step in and invalidate the results. That’s a lot to overcome but do we have any choice but to answer President Biden’s call to step up?

  2. Anyone who doesn’t get off their keyster and vote, is deciding to throw their lot in with the fascists. Like I had to chop my young neighbor down a couple years ago because he was so proud he voted for Jill stein. I corrected him by noting its ALWAYS a binary choice & by not voting for Hillary, he voted for Trump. Idiot. Glad Joe made it clear either you vote for democracy or YOU ARE A FASCIST.

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