Joe Biden plans farewell speech for Democratic National Convention as he steps aside for Kamala Harris to run for 2024 presidential election

It is not the convention Joe Biden originally planned.

The president will deliver the keynote address Monday night, opening the Democratic National Convention. But when the convention concludes Thursday night with Kamala Harris as the party’s nominee, he’ll be thousands of miles away, watching the balloons fall on television, like most Americans.

A month after he decided to withdraw from the presidential race — following intense public and private pressure from his party colleagues — Biden will take his final bow to his party.

In his speech, he will focus on his legacy and argue why Harris is the best person to succeed him in the White House.

“After saving democracy in 2020, President Biden is determined to defeat the threat to democracy posed by Donald Trump, who has said he would abolish the Constitution and be a dictator from day one,” a Biden aide said.

Biden’s swift endorsement of Harris sealed the deal for her in terms of the Democratic nomination. It also averted a potential floor battle that could have led to chaos in Chicago.

He will pass the torch to her on Monday night. Harris will be at the United Center when Biden delivers his speech, and Reuters reports she will join him on stage.

After his disastrous performance in the June 26 debate against Trump, Democrats panicked about the president, fearing he would not only lose the White House but also drag down House and Senate candidates with him.

Dozens of them openly called on him to withdraw from the race.

Under crushing pressure, he did. Aides say Biden remains confident he can beat Trump in November, but he must put party and country first.

Ironically, by dropping out of the race, Biden can ride into Chicago on Monday as a conquering hero: the man who put aside vanity and his own personal ambitions for the betterment of his country.

Instead of questions about his age, stamina and mental capacity, the 81-year-old is cheered from the rafters.

The president is expected to receive a warm welcome from delegates, who are much more optimistic about the party’s chances of defeating Trump now that Harris is on top.

Aides stress that his speech Monday is not a farewell address, but there’s no denying that while Biden will be the opening act of the Democratic National Convention, his vice president will be the biggest attraction.

The president spent the weekend at Camp David, where he met with his staff to prepare his speech.

He will discuss the progress the US has made over the past three and a half years, particularly in the post-COVID recovery.

He will also touch on the fight for democracy that was a cornerstone of his re-election campaign, arguing that Harris and his running mate Tim Walz are the best people to preserve democracy.

When Biden returned to the White House on Sunday, a reporter asked him how he felt about his speech Monday night. “Good, very good,” he said.

President Biden will pass the torch to Kamala Harris at the convention on Monday night

Jill Biden, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff at the White House on July 4

The conference on Monday evening will be entirely dedicated to him.

At the United Center, the arena will feature digital banners with Biden quotes, including: “History is in your hands. Let’s win this!” and “Spread the faith.”

Delegates will receive a gift bag containing ‘Cup of Joe’ coffee.

The rest of the week’s programming will focus on Biden’s accomplishments in office, with careful attention to how Harris has helped him.

First lady Jill Biden will also speak Monday night, setting the stage for her husband with her remarks. She knows him best and is a constant presence at his side.

In her speech, she will “speak to the strength and character of the President in a way that only a spouse of nearly 50 years can do, and she will reiterate her support for Vice President Harris, calling on Americans to come together ‘with trust in each other, hope for a better future and love for our country,'” a source told DailyMail.com.

Both Bidens will be traveling for Harris this fall.

But first, Joe Biden takes the spotlight.

Then he leaves the arena. He won’t be there Thursday night when Harris is crowned the Democratic presidential nominee.

He leaves Chicago on Monday evening for a vacation in Southern California.

He will spend the rest of the week behind closed doors, watching the conference on television, like most Americans.