Barack Obama hailed a “new chapter” for America under Kamala Harris as he praised “selfless” Joe Biden for stepping aside from the presidential election. In an address to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where his wife Michelle also spoke on Tuesday, Mr Obama returned to his campaign message of hope in an appeal to the party to work hard for Ms Harris. The former president, 63, hinted at his concerns about Mr Biden’s age as he portrayed Ms Harris as a younger and more dynamic candidate, and compared to an inconsiderate neighbour using a leaf-blower.
“We don’t want four years of bluster and bumbling and chaos,” he said. “We’ve seen that movie before — and we all know that the sequel is usually worse. America is ready for a new chapter.
” Mr Obama praised Mr Biden, his former running mate, for “putting his own ambition aside for the sake of the country” by stepping aside on July 21 to make way for Ms Harris at the top of the Democratic ticket. He was one of several Democratic grandees to push Mr Biden privately to stand back from the race, amid polling that showed he would likely lose to Trump. “History will remember Joe Biden as a president who defended democracy at a moment of great danger,” Mr Obama said on Tuesday.
“I am proud to call him my president, but even prouder to call him my friend.” The speech came on the second day of the convention, where party delegates held a symbolic roll call to demonstrate their support for M.