‘This is the time to heal’: President-elect Joe Biden, VP-elect Kamala Harris address nation

WILMINGTON, Del.(FOX9) – Vice President-elect Kamala Harris delivered remarks ahead of President-elect Joe Biden Saturday night during a prime-time address to the nation.

Biden and his wife, Jill, and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, appeared at a drive-in rally outside the convention center in Wilmington, Delaware.

“Protecting our democracy takes struggle and takes sacrifice, but there is joy in it, and there is progress, because we the people have the power to build a better future,” she said. “And when our very democracy was on the ballot in this election with the very soul of America at stake and the world watching, you ushered in a new day for America.”

She thanked campaign staff and volunteers, saying, “Thank you for bringing more people than ever before into the democratic process.”

She said times have been challenging, “But we have also witnessed your courage, your resilience and the generosity of your spirit.”

“You delivered a clear message: You chose hope and unity, decency, science and, yes, truth,” Harris said.

“You chose Joe Biden as the next president of the United States of America,” she proclaimed, as supporters cheered and honked car horns.

Harris thanked her family and spoke on the historical significance of her election. “While I may be the first woman to hold this office, I will not be the last,” she said.

Following Harris’ remarks, Biden jogged to the podium, opening his remarks by saying, “The people of this nation have spoken. They’ve delivered us a clear victory, a convincing victory… for we the people.”

“Tonight, were seeing all over this nation… an outpouring of joy, hope, renewed faith in tomorrow bringing a better day, and I am humbled by the trust and confidence you have placed in me,” he said.

He pledged to unite and restore the “soul of America” and to make  “America respected around the world again.”

He thanked his family and praised his wife Jill Biden as well as his children and grandchildren, saying, “They’re my heart.”

Recognizing the historic significance of his and Harris’ victory, Biden said, “Don’t tell me it’s not possible in the United States. It’s long overdue.”

He praised Harris, saying, “We’re reminded tonight of those who fought so hard for so many years,” adding that Harris and her husband have become honorary Bidens. “There’s no way out,” he joked.

Biden continued to urge unity within the country. He addressed Trump supporters, saying he understands their disappointment. “I lost a couple of times myself,” he said. “To make progress, we have to stop treating our opponents like enemies. They are not our enemies — they are Americans,” he added.

He declared that it is time for the country to heal. “Americans have called on us to marshal the forces of decency, fairness, science and the forces of hope in the great battles of our time,” he said.

Biden announced that he will name a group of scientists and experts as transition advisers to convert his COVID-19 plan into an action blueprint to start immediately in January 2021. He explained that the group of advisers would be built on “bedrock science” and based on “empathy and concern.”

He promised to work on cultivating cooperation between Democrats and Republicans and said he would work for those who voted for him but work harder for those who didn’t.

“I believe in the possibilities of this country,” he said.

Biden briefly spoke of his son, Beau, who died of cancer. Biden said he believes America is a country that finds solutions and “cures diseases like cancer,” adding that it has always been bad to “bet against America.”

He thanked the American people, asking them to “spread the faith.”

The president-elect brought his family onto the stage where fireworks exploded over a joyous crowd.

Meanwhile, the Twitter accounts for both Biden and Harris posted their remarks.

Biden tweeted, “With full hearts and steady hands, with faith in America and in each other, with a love of country — and a thirst for justice — let us be the nation that we know we can be.”