Valley officials sound off on Biden’s speech

President Joe Biden has delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country’s democracy.

By TAYLOR BROWN AND SARAH PELLIS tbrown@yourmvi.com spellis@yourmvi.com

President Joe Biden addressed the American people in the Oval Office on Wednesday night, explaining his decision to drop from his reelection campaign and to support his Vice President Kamala Harris, with mixed feelings from local legislators and leaders.

The address offered the public its first chance to hear directly from Biden his rationale for dropping out of the 2024 race on Sunday via a press release after weeks of insisting he believed himself to be the best candidate to take on former President Donald Trump, according to the Associated Press.

“The defense of democracy is more important than any title,” Biden said in the address. “Nothing, nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy. And that includes personal ambition. I revere this office, but I love my country more.”

Michelle McFall, a chairwoman for the Westmoreland County Democratic Party and a part of the Pennsylvania State Democratic Executive Committee, said she thought Biden’s speech was “one of the most important speeches ever delivered by an American president.

“Like our first president, George Washington, he freely gave up power for an idea far bigger than any one person,” McFall said. “President Biden is patriotism personified and the epitome of courageous leadership. I’m proud to be a Biden Democrat. Now it’s time to honor him and turn out our voters to elect Kamala Harris.”

Unlike McFall, North Belle Vernon Council President Brett Berish said he didn’t get the answers he hoped for.

“There’s not much to say,” Berish said. “He didn’t give the answers I was hoping for, like who stabbed him and pushed him out, but he said what he needed to say. I believe that he believes he did a great job. He looked tired and like a guy who knew it BIDEN’S SPEECH •A2

“I never thought in my life I would feel sorry for the president of the United States, but I can honestly say I feel sorry for him…and it scares me to think about what our foreign adversaries see when they look at our leadership right now.”

STATE. REP. ANDREW KUZMA

R-ELIZABETH TOWNSHIP was time to retire. He loved his country and served it. I admire that.”

Charleroi Councilman Larry Celaschi said he was disappointed about the address.

“All I did was shake my head hearing what came out of Biden’s mouth,” Celaschi said. “He speaks of all these lofty goals that he will be delivering in the next five months. What makes anyone believe he will accomplish any of them in five months when he hasn’t done anything in four years? And will he even remain in office for the next five months?”

State Rep. Andrew Kuzma, R-Elizabeth Township, said he was going to try to watch the speech, but added he does not have much faith in the current president.

“I never thought in my life that I would feel sorry for the president of the United States, but I can honestly say I feel sorry for him,” Kuzma said. “I really feel sorry for him, and it scares me when I think about what our foreign adversaries see when they see our leadership right now. They’re looking at something that I don’t think is even qualified to continue to serve.”

According to the Associated Press, Biden’s candidacy faced a crisis of confidence from Democrats after his abysmal debate against Trump nearly a month ago, where he spoke haltingly, appeared ashen and failed to rebut his predecessor’s attacks. It sparked Democrats to second guess not just whether he was capable of beating Trump in November, but also whether at 81, he was still fit for the high-pressure job.

“(Biden’s condition) didn’t happen over a couple months, and they should have told the people, especially in the Democratic primary, what the condition was prior to that because for a party that claims to be Democratic, they are not letting the population vote for who the Democratic candidate is,” Kuzma said.

“People right now, and a lot of people I talk to out in Harrisburg, understand why he stepped down from being a candidate, but they don’t understand how he could step down to serve as the president of the United States,” Kuzma added. “I think he would be able to try to justify why he should serve. No matter what he says, I don’t buy it. I think that the Democratic Party is imploding and I think they are getting what they deserve for trying to cover this up for so long.”

Celaschi also said Biden should have addressed his health in his speech.

“Not once did he address his health condition. He must not think that was important to discuss with the television viewing audience,” Celaschi said. “Biden also speaks of fighting for the right to vote and democracy. Well that was totally ignored by not giving his own party the right to vote for a new democrat president candidate of their choice. Biden is a disgrace and his vice president is even worse.”

On Sunday afternoon, while isolating at his Rehoboth Beach, Del., home with COVID-19, Biden finally bowed in a letter posted to his account on X announcing his decision to leave the race, followed up later by an endorsement of Harris.

“I have decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation,” Biden said in his Wednesday speech, saying he wanted to make room for “fresh voices, yes, younger voices,” and it would be the “best way to unite our nation.”

Kuzma said Harris will not be hard to beat come November, and thinks the Democratic party should give the general population a chance to vote for their nominee.

“I don’t have much faith in Kamala Harris either,” Kuzma added about the possible Democratic nominee. “You gave the lady one job to do at the border, and she failed miserably. What do you think it would be like if she would run everything? She can’t even run the whole show if she can’t even clean up our border.”

Biden’s address pledged that he would remain focused on being president until his term expires at noon on Jan. 20, 2025, saying he would work to end the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, fight to boost government support to cure cancer and call for Supreme Court reform.

Biden was also looking to make the case for his legacy of sweeping domestic legislation and the renewal of alliances abroad, according to the Associated Press.

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Wednesday that any question of Biden resigning his office — which would allow Harris to run as an incumbent — was “ridiculous.”

Jean-Pierre said Biden has “no regrets” about his decision to stay in the race as long as he did, or his decision to quit it over the weekend. She said Biden’s decision had nothing to do with his health.

A statement from the Mon Valley Democrats, a branch of the Westmoreland County Democratic Committee, said they stand with Biden, and are grateful for his 50 years of public service.

“President Biden has served our country with unwavering dedication, integrity and courageous leadership,” the statement states. “Throughout his tenure, he faced unprecedented challenges with resilience and worked tirelessly to bring our country together, recover from the global pandemic, and restore America’s standing on the world stage. His leadership has been marked by significant accomplishments, including historic investments in infrastructure, the fight against climate change, historic job growth, and efforts to ensure economic recovery for all Americans.”

Celaschi