Analysis: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris declare 'America's back' at victory rally

The pair tried to turn the page on the Trump era, delivering a message of unity and patriotism

US vice president-elect Kamala Harris and president-elect Joe Biden arrive for victory address after being declared the winner in the 2020 presidential election, in Wilmington, Delaware. EPA

US president-elect Joe Biden and Jill Biden with vice president-elect Kamala Harris are joined by family members after Mr Biden delivered his victory address following the announcement of the winner in the 2020 presidential election, in Wilmington, Delaware. EPA

People watch fireworks after media announced that Democratic US presidential candidate Joe Biden has won the 2020 election, in Wilmington, Delaware. Reuters

US president-elect Joe Biden gestures in celebration after delivering remarks in Wilmington, Delaware. AFP

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his wife Jill, and Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris and her husband Doug, react to the confetti at their rally in Wilmington, Delaware. Reuters

Vice president-elect Kamala Harris arrives to deliver remarks before introducing the US president-elect Joe Biden in Wilmington, Delaware. AFP

People gather to watch the speeches in Times Square in New York City. Reuters

Gabriella Ziccarelli, 32, from Arizona, holds a US flag as she watches a speech by vice president-elect Kamala Harris, in Times Square in New York City. Reuters

Vice president-elect Kamala Harris speaks in Wilmington, Delaware, November 7, 2020. Reuters

US president-elect Joe Biden and vice president-elect Kamala Harris gesture during their post-election rally in Wilmington, Delaware. Reuters

A person wearing a protective mask holds a 'Biden Harris' campaign sign outside Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia. Bloomberg

The presidential motorcade, with US President Donald Trump, travels through Reston, Virginia, after President Trump played golf at his International golf club. AFP

President Donald Trump returns to the White House from playing golf in Washington, after Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election. AFP

President Donald Trump plays golf at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia. AFP

A woman reacts as she watches speeches by Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, in Times Square in New York City. Reuters

People watch the speeches by Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, at Times Square in New York City. Reuters

Confetti falls after US president-elect Joe Biden and vice president-elect Kamala Harris delivered speeches in Wilmington, Delaware. AFP

US president-elect Joe Biden with his wife Jill Biden, salute the crowd on stage after delivering a speech in Wilmington, Delaware. AFP

US president-elect Joe Biden, wife Jill Biden, vice president-elect Kamala Harris and husband Douglas Emhoff hold hands while wearing protective masks during a post-election event in Wilmington, Delaware. Bloomberg

Vice president-elect Kamala Harris and president-elect Joe Biden stand on stage with family members in Wilmington, Delaware. AP Photo

A boy carries a sign with vice president-elect Kamala Harris at Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington. Reuters

People watch a speech by Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris, at Times Square in New York City. Reuters

A woman takes selfie photo posing with an extra edition of a newspaper reporting that Democrat Joe Biden is projected to win the 2020 US presidential election, in Tokyo, Japan. Reuters

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris delivered victory speeches on Saturday night at a rally in Delaware, concluding a long and often bitter election campaign against US President Donald Trump, who has become the first incumbent since George HW Bush in 1992 to be voted out of office.

In their addresses, Mr Biden and Ms Harris tried to turn the page on the Trump era, sending out a message of unity and patriotism.

Dressed in suffragette white, Ms Harris made her speech on the 100-year anniversary of American women securing the right to vote.

Before introducing Mr Biden, Ms Harris said that “while I may be the first woman in this position... I will not be the last".

Referring to her late mother, Ms Harris said: “When she came here from India at the age of 19, she maybe didn’t quite imagine this moment. But she believed so deeply in an America where a moment like this is possible.”

Mr Biden’s speech offered a vision and a tone that was in marked contrast to the often divisive rhetoric of Mr Trump. There was no populist undertone or muscle-flexing against foreign or domestic adversaries. Instead, the 77-year-old president-elect opted for a message of unity inside America and one of restoration abroad.

“For all those of you who voted for President Trump, I understand your disappointment. I lost a few times myself, but let us give each other a chance... we have to stop treating our opponents as enemies. This is the time to heal in America,” Mr Biden said.

He promised to work on urgent challenges, such as the pandemic.

“It's time for our better angels to prevail. At our best, America is a beacon for the world. We will lead, not only by our power, but by our power of example,” Mr Biden said. “The message is: America’s back.”

There was a sense of humility and authenticity in Mr Biden’s speech. There was also emphasis on the broad coalition that elected him, promising a Cabinet that will resemble the diversity of the US: “Democrats, Republicans, independents, progressives, moderates, conservatives, young, old, urban, suburban, rural, gay, straight, transgender, white, Latino, Asian, Native American."

Mr Biden also listed a number of priorities that his administration would tackle once he takes office in January.

“The battle to control the virus, the battle to build prosperity, the battle to secure your family’s health care, the battle to achieve racial justice and root out systemic racism in this country, the battle to save our planet by getting climate under control, the battle to restore decency, defend democracy and give everybody in this country a fair shot,” he said.

Mr Biden is expected to announce critical appointments related to a Covid-19 task force this week. When he takes office, he is likely to sign executive orders that will reverse many of the Trump administration's policies.

The new president is reported to be seeking to rejoin the Paris Agreement on climate change and the World Health Organisation. He will also repeal Mr Trump’s ban on immigration from several Muslim-majority countries and reinstate the Dreamers programme.