WASHINGTON, April 25 (KUNA) -- US former Vice President Joe Biden announced Thursday via a youtube video his run for president in 2020, making it his third White House bid.
In a tweet with his video, Biden said "the core values of this nation, our standing in the world, our very democracy... everything that has made America - America - is at stake. That's why today I'm announcing my candidacy for President of the United States." In the video, Biden, 76, said "we are in the battle for the soul of this nation." He stressed "if we give Donald Trump eight years in the White House, he will forever and fundamentally alter the character of this nation, who we are and I cannot stand by and watch this happen." He recalled the 2017 Charlottesville, Virginia clashes when President Donald Trump said there were "some very fine people on both sides.
"In that moment, I knew the threat to this nation was unlike any I had seen in our lifetime," Biden remarked.
"We can't forget what happened in Charlottesville. Even more important, we have to remember who we are. This is America," he concluded.
Biden, who joins the race with 19 other Democratic candidates so far, is expected to hold his first campaign event on Monday in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
In response to Biden's announcement, Trump said in a tweet "welcome to the race Sleepy Joe. I only hope you have the intelligence, long in doubt, to wage a successful primary campaign. It will be nasty - you will be dealing with people who truly have some very sick and demented ideas. But if you make it, I will see you at the Starting Gate". (end) si.hb