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OMAHA, Neb. — Joe Biden received a standing ovation from 800 enthusiastic supporters as he walked onto the stage at the downtown Hilton ballroom in Omaha on Friday, marking his return to the political spotlight just over a year after his party’s presidential defeat.
“Did you see the results Tuesday?” Biden asked the crowd, triggering another round of cheers as he highlighted Democratic victories across the country, from governorships in New Jersey and Virginia to the mayoral race in New York and a redistricting decision in California.
The former president’s appearance in Nebraska, a state that Republicans have carried in every presidential election since 1968, served as a rallying cry for Democrats in a traditionally red state. “You know what it feels like to be outnumbered,” Biden told the audience. “But every election, you put up the yard signs and you make your voices heard. The country needs you badly.”
His message resonated in Omaha, where Democrats have managed to capture the city’s 2nd District electoral vote in past elections, recently elected a Democratic mayor for the first time since 2009, and feel optimistic about their chances in the 2nd District congressional race in 2026.
Throughout his 30-minute address, Biden focused primarily on what he viewed as his administration’s major achievements, particularly in handling the COVID-19 pandemic and initiating economic recovery. The audience responded with multiple standing ovations as he touched on familiar themes of supporting the middle class, promoting equality, and upholding America’s role on the global stage.
“What we have to do is repair our faults, and that’s what we began to do on Tuesday,” Biden declared with unexpected vigor, contrasting with moments where his delivery was quieter and sometimes difficult to hear even with amplification.
Notably absent from Biden’s remarks was any substantial discussion of the tumultuous events of 2024, including his withdrawal from the presidential race following his widely criticized debate performance against Donald Trump in June. After weeks of uncertainty that caused significant anxiety within the Democratic Party, Biden eventually stepped aside in July and endorsed then-Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s nominee.
The closest Biden came to acknowledging this difficult chapter was a brief, self-deprecating joke: “I have the dubious distinction. I’m the youngest ever man elected to the U.S. Senate and I’m the oldest damn president,” he said playfully.
The event also featured Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, who praised Biden for “a lifetime of service to our country” and described him as “a president who governed not for red states, not for blue states but for the entire United States.” The audience rose in a standing ovation as Biden, seated during this introduction, beamed with appreciation.
This appearance marked Biden’s second public engagement since completing radiation therapy in October for an aggressive form of prostate cancer diagnosed after he left office. The former president made no mention of his health condition during the speech, and when he referenced cancer, it was in relation to his late son Beau, who died in 2015.
Friday’s event was Biden’s first purely political appearance since Labor Day 2024, when he joined Harris at a labor event in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, two months before the November election. Whatever questions may have existed about his decision to exit the presidential race seemed forgotten by the conclusion of his speech, as supporters chanted “Thank you, Joe!” as he left the stage.
For Democrats in Nebraska, Biden’s visit provided both a morale boost following Tuesday’s victories and a reminder of the party’s core principles. As Biden emphasized to the appreciative crowd, these are values “we’ve never walked away from” and, raising his voice for emphasis, “We’re not going to walk away from them now.”
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10 Comments
It’s admirable that Biden is willing to visit and rally Democrats in a state that’s been solidly Republican for decades. Even if the odds are long, every vote and every seat matters in the grand scheme of things.
Absolutely. The Democratic party needs to play the long game and keep contesting even in the toughest of territories. You never know when the tide might turn.
Interesting to see Biden rallying Democrats in a traditionally Republican state. I wonder how the party’s recent wins across the country will impact the 2nd District congressional race. Underdogs can sometimes pull off big surprises.
That’s a good point. Local elections can often defy national trends, so it will be worth watching how the Nebraska race plays out.
Kudos to the Nebraska Democrats for their perseverance. It can’t be easy being an underdog, but their continued efforts and Biden’s visit show their commitment to the cause. I’ll be watching this race with interest.
Agreed. It takes a lot of grit and determination to keep fighting in the face of long odds. The Nebraska Democrats deserve credit for not giving up.
I’m curious to see if Biden’s appearance and the party’s recent wins will boost Democratic turnout and competitiveness in the 2nd District race. Nebraska is an interesting battleground, and I’ll be following the results closely.
That’s a good point. Nebraska’s 2nd District has been competitive in the past, so it will be fascinating to see if the Democrats can build on their recent momentum there.
Kudos to the 800 enthusiastic supporters who came out to hear Biden. Even in a red state, it’s important for Democrats to energize their base and make their voices heard. The country does need them badly, as Biden said.
Agreed. Every vote counts, and it’s crucial for Democrats to keep pushing in traditionally Republican strongholds. Local organizing and engagement can make a big difference.