David Axelrod on Biden’s DNC Speech: A Delicate Balance Between Legacy and Handing Off to Harris
REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
As President Joe Biden prepares to deliver a crucial speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Democratic strategist, and CNN contributor David Axelrod shared his insights on what Biden needs to achieve in this pivotal moment. Scheduled to speak in a prime-time slot on Monday night, Biden faces a unique challenge: highlighting his own achievements while passing the baton to Vice President Kamala Harris, who is now at the top of the ticket.
Just two months ago, the convention was set to be Biden’s coronation as the party’s repeat nominee. However, following a disastrous debate performance, Biden made the unexpected decision to withdraw from the race and endorse Harris to lead the party in the 2024 election. This decision has set the stage for what Axelrod describes as an unprecedented task for Biden in his upcoming speech.
“On the one hand, he ought to claim credit for some of the really important accomplishments he made,” Axelrod told his fellow CNN panelists. “And he should say very positive things about his vice president,” Axelrod emphasized that Biden’s speech must strike the right tone, ensuring that his support for Harris is strong without overshadowing her or making her seem like a mere extension of his administration.
Axelrod further elaborated on the delicate balance Biden must maintain: “You want it to be a handoff — not a death embrace.” He explained that Biden needs to frame Harris’s candidacy as a continuation of progress, but also as a new direction for the party. “You don’t want him to make her a part of his legacy that it seems like a seamless handoff but not a change in direction,” Axelrod added.
The challenge for Biden, according to Axelrod, lies in navigating the convention’s messaging. Posters at the event have branded Harris as “a new way forward,” signaling the party’s intent to present her as a fresh leader for the future. Biden’s speech must therefore carefully balance the celebration of his own legacy with the promotion of Harris as the right person to carry the torch.
As Biden takes the stage, all eyes will be on how he manages this unique transition, highlighting his past successes while positioning Harris as the leader who can guide the party into a new era.
