Excerpts of Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by President Joe Biden on Democracy Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
“Today we are here to answer the most important of questions: Is democracy still America’s sacred cause?
“This isn’t rhetorical, academic, or hypothetical. Whether democracy is still America’s sacred cause is the most urgent question of our time.
“It is what the 2024 election is all about.”
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“When the attacks of January 6th happened, there was no doubt about the truth.
At the time, even Republican members of Congress and Fox News commentators publicly and privately condemned the attack. And as one Republican Senator said, Trump’s behavior was embarrassing and humiliating for the country.
“But now as time has gone on — politics, fear, money – have all intervened. And those MAGA voices who know the truth about Trump and January 6th have abandoned the truth and abandoned our democracy. They’ve made their choice. Now the rest of us – Democrats, Independents, mainstream Republicans – we have to make our choice.
"I know mine. And I believe I know America’s.”
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“The mob that attacked the Capitol on January 6th, waving Trump flags and Confederate flags, stormed right past the portrait. The image of George Washington gave them no pause – but it should have.
“The artist who painted the portrait memorialized this moment because he said it was ‘one of the highest moral lessons ever given to the world.’
“George Washington was at the height of his power having just defeated the most powerful empire on Earth. He could have held onto that power as long as he wanted. But that wasn’t the America he and the American troops of Valley Forge had fought for.
"In America, our leaders don’t hold on to power relentlessly. Our leaders return power to the people – willingly. You do your duty. You serve your country. And ours is a country worthy of service. We are not perfect, but at our best, we face head on the good, the bad, the truth of who we are. That’s what great nations do, and we are a great nation – the greatest of nations.
“That’s the America I see in our future.
“We get up. We carry on. We speak of possibilities – not carnage. We’re not weighed down by grievance. We don’t foster fear. We don’t walk around as victims. We take charge of our destiny.
“We get the job done – to help people find their place in a changing world and dream and build the future we all deserve.
“We don’t believe America is failing. We know America is winning. That’s American patriotism.”