Im joe biden and im jills husband. [cheers and applause] you all think im kidding, thats how im identified. Everyone knows jill is a philadelphia girl, she loves this city, i do too. But to paraphrase the poet of james joyce i have to say this folks because im near my state, when i day delaware written on my heart. [cheers and applause] look, im mildly prejudice but i think she made a great, great second lady and shes going to make one heck of a first lady. [cheers and applause] folks, in the past few weeks ive been all across america, pittsburgh, iowa, South Carolina, nevada, california, New Hampshire and today philadelphia. [cheers and applause] this campaign is just getting started. [cheers and applause] i promise you this, no one, no one is going to work longer, no one is going to campaign harder to win your hearts, your trust and your support than the son of catherine from pennsylvania and joseph from delaware. [cheers and applause] so those if you want to be part of this campaign, pick up your phones, pick up your phone now, send a text to the words united to the number 30330. Thats united. 30330 or 30330. [laughter] you got it. Its on the back there. [laughter] so, look, look, its a logical question people ask why we began this journey in this place, the great city of philadelphia, well, theres a reason because let him go. Thats not how we do it. Other campaigns do it this way, we dont do it that way. [cheers and applause] you will not i made a pledge. I mean it sincerely. You will not hear me speak ill of another democrat. Look, the reason we are here is because in a literal sense this was the birthplace of our democracy, it was here over 2 you know, two of the most Important Documents not only in our history but the history of the world were written right here. In 1776, the declaration of independence, we hold these truths to be selfevident. These words, these words are the basis for american creed, quality, equity, fairness, decency, america didnt live up to that promise for most of the people at the time, the people of color, women, we were born of an idea that every single solitary person given half chance no matter where theyre from, theres not a single thing they cannot do if they work at it. Thats who we are. [cheers and applause] in 1887 1787 the United States constitution, we we the people, the words changed everything. Power rested in the people and not the government. Freedom to think, to speak, to act, to criticize your government, all protected. We we became the model for the world and both documents, theres a singular word, we, we hold the truth selfevident. We the people. [cheers and applause] both, both. We have to remember this. Statements for common purpose, a common purpose, of one people, one nation. Our constitution doesnt begin with the phrase we the democrats or we the republicans, and certainly doesnt begin we the donors. [laughter] [cheers and applause] look, it began with the phrase that stands for we are all in this together, we need to remember that today. I think more than any time in my career, politics has become so mean, so petty, so negative, so partisan, so angry and so unproductive, so unproductive. Instead of debating our opponents we demonize them, instead of questioning judgments we question their motives, instead of listening, we shout, instead of looking for solutions, we look to score political points, but no more, no more. [cheers and applause] because this politics is pulling us apart. Its ripping this country apart at the seems. Our politicians, our politics today, division, the president is divider in chief. [cheers and applause] look, hes not the only one, far from it. Hes just the worst practitioner of politics that singles out scapegoats and source out the other, anyone different in creed, of color, conviction, they are the problem, thats what he said. Thats been the scheme used by politicians for decades, but comes as gigantic cost, i mean this from the bottom of my heart, comes with gigantic cost, it weakens us, distracts us, divides us, causes us to lose credibility around the world, you know, picks at the wound and solves nothing. This is not who we are, this is not who we are and i absolutely refuse. [cheers and applause] thats who we have to be. Folks n this country we are all bound together, great experiment of equality and opportunity and decency, we havent lived up and weve never given up on it. Everyone, and i mean everyone, everyone is in on the deal. Thats why we are beacon of hope for the rest of the world, thats why the world is always looking at us, that must be i dont know who that is. America is unique in all the world. America, folks, is a idea, idea stronger than any army, bigger than any ocean, powerful than any dictator, it offers hope to retire, the poor, to breed free, its written on the statute of liberty, we seem to have given up on that. America guaranty everyone and i mean everyone be treated with dignity, safe harbor. Thats who we are. [cheers and applause] i believe america has always been at its best when america actors as one america. It doesnt make it any less profound. This nation needs to come together, it has to come together. Folks, we started this campaign when we did, i said i was running for 3 reasons, the first is to restore the soul and nation, the essence of who we are. I mean it. [cheers and applause] the second, rebuild the backbone of the nation and the third, to unit this nation. One america. One america. [cheers and applause] folks ui know some of the smart folks say democrats dont want to hear about unity, democrats are so anger, angrier a candidate would be the better he or she can win democratic nomination, well, i dont believe it. I really dont. If democrats i believe democrats want to unify the nation, thats what the party has always been about. [cheers and applause] thats what it has always been about. Unity. The American People want president to add more division, lead with clinch fist, closed hand, hard heart, to demonize your opponent, spew hatred, they dont need me theyve got president donald trump. Folks, im running for all, democrats, republicans, independents, future that fulfills true potential. Some of the same people are saying, biden doesnt get it, you cant work with republicans anymore, thats not the way it works anymore, well, folks, im going to Say Something outrageous, i know how to make government work. [cheers and applause] not because i talked about it but because ive done it. Ive worked across the aisle to reach consensus, help government work in the past, i can do that again with your help. [cheers and applause] for me to me our principles must never be compromised but compromise itself is not auditory word, consensus is not a weakness, its the only way founders down the road there thought it was the only way we could govern. It was necessary, it was designed the way the constitution sits, requires consensus. [cheers and applause] i did it when i was a senator, its what i did as your Vice President , worked with barack obama. And its what i will do at your president. [cheers and applause] let me be real clear u everybody listen, democrats and republicans, if im elected your president im going to do whatever it takes to make progress on the matters that matter most, civil liberties, civil rights, womens right to choose, national security, health care, an economy that rewards work not just wealth, Climate Change policy that will save our children and grandchildren and this planet. [cheers and applause] i know there are times i know there are times theres only a bear knuckle plate will do, i know, we have to take on republicans to do whats right without any help from them, thats what it took to pass the Affordable Care act. [cheers and applause] that was a tough fight. It was a big deal. [laughter] which reminds me, i think we should step back and Say Something we dont often say as nation, barack obama was an extraordinary man. [cheers and applause] extraordinary. I watched, he has character, courage and vision. [cheers and applause] he was a president our children could and did look up to. [cheers and applause] he was a great president. And i was proud to serve as Vice President but never more proud than the day we passed health care. [cheers and applause] health care. A lot of president s before tried it, other administrations have not been able to do it but it was done by barack obama without a single republican vote. I know thousand get things done. I know how to go toe to toe with the gop but doesnt have to be and cant be that way on every single issue. Look at the recovery act, recovery act, the cornerstone of the nations economic recovery from the debt of the greatest financial crisis sort of depression that we ever faced in the history and thats a big reason, big reason we now have had 10 years of uninterrupted Economic Growth. [cheers and applause] but we need it. We need it to find 3 republicans in the United States senate to get it passed. It was my job to find them, persuade them, i did, they did and the country did better than it has before. [cheers and applause] one more, one more, i know President Trump likes to take credit for the economy and the Economic Growth and low unemployment numbers but just look at the facts not the alternative facts. [cheers and applause] President Trump inherited an economy from Obamabiden Administration that was given to him. Just like he inherited Everything Else in his life. [cheers and applause] just like Everything Else hes been given in his life, hes in the process of squandering that as well. [cheers and applause] look, recovery act helped save the nation from economic growing to get down, to get down, we had to get the work done, we had to bring a few relationships along republicans along and if we hadnt done it we would have had depression, the American People want the government to work. [applause] i dont think thats too much to ask. You know, i know some people in dc say, you it cant be done, well, let me tell them something, make sure they understand this, the country is sick of the division. [cheers and applause] they are sick of the fighting. Theyre sick of the childish behavior. There isnt Single Person among you or anywhere in the country that could get away that and their jobs. All they want is president , senators, representatives to do their jobs. Just do your job. [cheers and applause] folks, above all have a president , a president who measures his or her days by the people he brings together, rather than division that he sows. Look, folks, we all know as well as i do we wouldnt be here, you know the serious work that has to be done, but its not being done by a president who wakes up in the middle of the night and war on twitter like the guy in the whistle back there, i wonder Whose Campaign hes with, obsessing over personal grievances, look, the most important thing to remember, the rest of the world isnt waiting, china isnt waiting, they are building 5g, mastering ai, theyre rewriting the rules of the internet, theyre moving into areas that should not be abandoned by us. The rest of the world hasnt given up on the paris climate accord, they are pushing it. They know its essential to human existence. [cheers and applause] folks, the greatest challenges we face in the future will be over at technology, intellectual property, clean energy, a warming planet, theres not a single thing that building a wall or imposing another tariff can address in any of these issues. [cheers and applause] folks u we need a 21st century strategy for america. [cheers and applause] but every tool that donald trump uses is out of the path, folks, we have to get focused, focused on the future. Its the only way we will invest in educational system, our people need to succeed in 21st century. Jill always says, hes a Community College professor, she always says, any country thats outeducates us will outcompete us. Thats just a natural fact. [cheers and applause] folks, that success will come when we generate free Community Colleges, invest in apprenticeship, continuing education allowing people to fill jobs of the future, stronger commitment to prek and so much more. Folks, we know it works. We know what we have to do and lets stop fighting and start fixing. [cheers and applause] we want joe we want joe i need you. I need you. Folks, we all know the Affordable Care act was a historic achievement, 20 million americans got coverage, over 100 Million People with preexisting conditions could no longer be denied coverage. Amazing. Restore dignity for the parents who could not restore to take care of their Childrens Health care and now we need to go to the next step, we shouldnt start over and we surely shouldnt tear it down. To me giving every american, every american the right to choose a public option like medicare is the best way to get everybody covered, if they choose. [cheers and applause] folks, focusing on the future is the only way we will be able to build a new green infrastructure, not only new and safer roads and bridges but highways, ports and also our airports. We can make them greener and more rational and we can do a lot, water systems, no one in this country has to drink poison water. [cheers and applause] theres no question, theres no question protect this nation from cyberattacks, able to transmit solar and and wind energy across those same lines, folks, we know what we have to do, thats why im running and as i said, lets stop fighting and start fixing. We can only do it together. [cheers and applause] folks, its the only way we will deal with existential crisis pose bid Climate Change, theres not much time left, we need a Clean Energy Revolution and we need to start on. [cheers and applause] by the way u we have to stop to think clean energy and job creation dont go together, they do, they do. [cheers and applause] we need to set the most goal as possible but, folks, we have to Work Together to get it done. We will never convince climate deniers or special interest, but even now, some of those special interests are traditional polluters are realizing, gas and oil industry, automobile manufacturing, guess what, on television, mr. President , you have to do something about global warming. The oil industry because they will be under water, not a joke. Not a joke. The automobile industry, barack and i came along we will double the standard, they thought it was a good idea. They didnt even agreed with the president who is he trying to please . Folks, we need a president who is willing to lead. [cheers and applause] sake of our children. Folks, let me tell you something, the single most important thing we have to accomplish to get this done, the single most important thing we have to accomplish is defeat donald trump. [cheers and applause] folks we want joe we want joe folks, the longer donald trump is in the white house, as long as donald trump is in the white house, critical things, if you want to know what the first and most important plan in climate proposal is beat trump. One thing we need to remember. One thing i just discussed from everything i just discussed from education, infrastructure, to health care, to climate, theres overwhelming agreement among American People, what should be done, thats true, he doesnt, but the people are not divided. Its our politics thats divided. And that gap, that is causing and worst elements in our society, people coming out of the rocks, folks, you asked me a few years if our democracy was at stake i would have smiled and laughed a little bit, no more. No more. The threat to this nation, to our democracy is real. Its clear and its present. Weve watched the president now for 3 years, look at what hes doing and instilling fear, not joking, instilling fear, sewing divisions, racial divisions, undercutting every institution that was designed to check the abuse of power by the president or anyone else, all this for what reason . All this in order to solidify his base and expand his power. Think about it. Think about this. Fake news, enemy of the people, nothing to be dismissed. Tyrants and dictators all over the world are using same language to solidify power. Attack of courts saying you cannot trust the judge because of his mexican ancestry. No, by the way, if i made the speech 10 years ago youd laugh at me. You said thats not going to happen, that cant be america, democrat or republican. Folks, attacks on branch of congress blocking the constitution responsibility to legitimately enghaij oversight placing him above the law and by the way, without a wimper from the republicans of congress who know better. They know better. [cheers and applause] they know better. Folks, these things are corrosive and threaten the core value of the nation and undermine, they undermine our standing around the world. Everything that has made America America is at risk. Let me ask you, are we a nation that believes theres a moral equivalence between right supremacists, neo nazis, the ku klux klan and those with courage to stand against them, no, we dont. But trump does. Trump said theres a moral equivalence. Are we a nation that believes ripping children of the arms of the parents at the border, no. We dont, but trump does. Are we a nation that embraces dictators and tyrants like putin and kim jong un . We dont but trump does. Look, every day we are reminded in this election about we have to be remembered who we are, what we stand for, what we believe and every day we are reminded theres nothing guarantied about our democracy. We have to fight for it. We have to defend it. We have to earn it, we have to earn it. [cheers and applause] we stand here today, only 140 miles from gettysburg, perhaps the most important symbol of nations history and in gettysburg address lincoln not only honored but had message for the living, it is for us to be dedicated, government of, by and for the people shall not perish from the earth. [cheers and applause] folks, that set the challenge from