Barack Obama praises Joe Biden’s ‘values and moral fiber’ in nationwide ad unveiled before former president endorses his VP at Democratic convention tonight
- Joe Biden’s campaign released an ad this week with former President Barack Obama showering praise on his former vice president
- The nationwide ad is part of the campaign’s $28 million ad buy this week, and it will air before the third night of the Democratic convention on Wednesday
- The voice overs from Obama are from a January 2017 speech where he awarded Biden with the Presidential Medal of Freedom just days before leaving office
- ‘He has never once forgotten the values and moral fiber that made him who he is,’ Obama says in the speech. ‘The best part is, he’s nowhere close to finished’
- Obama is the headline speaker for the third night of the fully virtual convention
- His wife, former first lady Michelle Obama, was the main speaker closing out the first night of the convention on Monday
Joe Biden‘s campaign released an ad this week with excerpts from a 2017 Barack Obama speech praising the presumptive Democratic nominee’s character as the former president prepares to endorse his vice president on the third night of the Democratic Convention Wednesday night.
‘Through his life, he has never once forgotten the values and moral fiber that made him who he is,’ Obama says. ‘The best part is, he’s nowhere close to finished.’
The excerpts from the January 2017 speech were added as a string of voice overs as black and white images of Biden throughout his life flashed across the screen. The particular remarks were from when Obama was honoring Biden as he presented him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom just days before leaving office.
Biden’s campaign will air the one-minute ad with Obama showering commendation on his former No. 2 ahead of the convention Wednesday night, where the former president will deliver remarks as the headline speaker.
The nationwide ad is part of the campaign’s $24 million paid media program this week.
The ad starts out showing former President Barack Obama speaking at a ceremony at the White House where he surprised his then-Vice President Joe Biden with the Presidential Medal of Freedom – the voice over throughout the ad is from those remarks
The remarks were made just days before the two vacated the White House and the one-minute video will air ahead of Obama’s remarks on the third night of the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday
Throughout the ad, part of the Biden campaign’s $28 million buy this week, black and white images are flashed across the screen showing the presumptive Democratic nominee’s humanity and connection with supporters
‘Through his life, he has never once forgotten the values and moral fiber that made him who he is,’ Obama says in the ad. ‘The best part is, he’s nowhere close to finished’
The final image turned back to color and flashed the Biden Harris logo on screen
His remarks will follow a speech from California Senator Kamala Harris, who is joining Biden’s ticket as his running mate, and close out the third night of the convention.
Obama’s wife, former first lady Michelle Obama, was the headline speaker on Monday night – and many think her speech will be the most watched other than Biden’s acceptance speech on the final night of the convention on Thursday.
The ad released this week brings light to Biden’s stutter as the candidate has spoken about his issues with the speech impediment on the campaign trail as he was attacked for a string of gaffes.
‘When Joe sticks up for the little guy, we hear the young boy who used to stand in front of the mirror determined to vanquish a debilitating stutter,’ Obama said as images of Biden as a young boy showed on screen.
Obama praised Biden as ‘a resilient and loyal and humble servant.’
Also speaking on Wednesday to endorse and make their case for a Biden presidency are Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, who was once among the top competition in the Democratic primary – she was also considered among the short list of those who could become his running mate.
Some other big name speakers include House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former Secretary of State and failed 2016 Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.
Former Arizona Representative Gabrielle Giffords, who resigned due to a severe brain injury following an assassination attempt and is now an avid gun control advocate, will also deliver shot, pre-recorded remarks.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham will also speak.
Singers Jennifer Hudson and Billie Eilish, who at 18 will be able to vote in her first presidential election in November, will serve as the musical entertainment for the night.