Joe Biden thanked Sen. Bernie Sanders and his supporters in a gracious, gaffe-free speech following his commanding string of primary victories Tuesday night, following word the Vermont lawmaker would not issue a statement.
Addressing a small crowd of supporters in Philadelphia — after a planned rally in Cleveland, Ohio was canceled over coronavirus — a somber Biden aimed for unity.
“I want to thank Bernie Sanders and his supporters for their tireless energy and their passion,” Biden said. “We share a common goal and together we’ll defeat Donald Trump.”
At the time of his address, the former Vice President was projected to win all three early contests Tuesday, including a key battle with Sanders in Michigan.
“A week ago pundits declared this candidacy dead. Now we’re very much alive,” Biden said, his wife, Jill, standing at his side.
“There’s a long ways to go but it looks like we’re gonna have another good night.”
“This campaign is taking off and I believe we will do well from here on,” he continued. “If you’re willing if you want to join us … We need you, we want you, there’s a place for you in this campaign.”
Biden, 77, also took aim at President Trump and vowed that “days of divisiveness will soon be over,” adding that America is “better than this moment that we’re in.”
“As I said from the beginning, this election is one that has character on the ballot,” Biden said. “It’s more than a comeback is a comeback for the soul of this nation.”
He talked about expanding healthcare, taking on gun control and boosting the middle class.
“Tonight we are a step closer to restoring decency, dignity and honor to the White House,” Biden said. “That’s our ultimate goal.”
Biden also notched commanding wins in Missouri and Mississippi.
And he further surprised observers by running ahead of Sanders in Idaho and neck-and-neck with the Senator in Washington, as of 11:30 p.m. ET — two places Sanders was supposed to perform well.
A Sanders campaign official said the Vermont lawmaker wouldn’t be issuing a statement on Tuesday night. Earlier, the campaign also had to cancel a rally in Cleveland over coronavirus fears.
