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IMAGE

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Image / Agenda / Breaking Stories

Biden Wins: Democrat projected to take White House as he takes Pennsylvania


By Jennifer McShane
07th Nov 2020
Biden Wins: Democrat projected to take White House as he takes Pennsylvania

Multiple news sources have declared Joe Biden has won the 2020 US election and will be the next president of the United States 


Former vice-president Joe Biden has been declared the winner of the US presidential election by multiple news outlets after clinching the key battleground state of Pennsylvania, securing the 270 electoral college votes needed to win the presidency.

With it, Biden achieved something monumental – more votes than any presidential candidate in US history, passing the 69.4 million record that Barack Obama set in 2008. At a time of unprecedented discord, his call for unity, stability and civility resonated. Though, right to the wire, it was a close call.

Pennsylvania’s 20 electoral college votes puts Biden at 284 to Trump’s 214, with Biden expected to pick up more from the states of Nevada and Georgia which, among others, are still tallying their votes.

The call was made by Sky News/NBC and other US networks because Joe Biden’s lead in the most crucial remaining state – the one state that on its own could end Donald Trump’s hopes of staying in power – became unassailable.

He is now up by 34,414 votes in Pennsylvania, and Trump, due to Biden’s other expectant wins in two other key Swing States, can not make up the numbers to overtake him.

The victory means Biden will become the 46th president of the United States, and the oldest to take up the office – he’ll turn 78 later this month.

It’s a historic, pivotal moment. With his election comes Kamila Harris, the first woman and first woman of colour to ever become vice-president of the United States.

Biden will become the 14th former vice president to go on to become president, having served two terms as vice president to Barack Obama.

It feels as if a weight has lifted. Should we allow a moment of euphoria even while numbers are being finalised? The atmosphere remarkably different to that four years ago when Trump took the podium.

Trump delusion?

Trump has already called foul (as he has all week) and judging by his statement, he will not concede quietly.

“We all know why Joe Biden is rushing to falsely pose as the winner, and why his media allies are trying so hard to help him: they don’t want the truth to be exposed.

“The simple fact is this election is far from over. Joe Biden has not been certified as the winner of any states, let alone any of the highly contested states headed for mandatory recounts, or states where our campaign has valid and legitimate legal challenges that could determine the ultimate victor.

“In Pennsylvania, for example, our legal observers were not permitted meaningful access to watch the counting process.  Legal votes decide who is president, not the news media.

“Beginning Monday, our campaign will start prosecuting our case in court to ensure election laws are fully upheld and the rightful winner is seated,” his statement says.

We can expect more drama from Trump but it was to be expected.

The Democratic Party are no doubt readying themselves to take him on and prepare for their transition to the White House.

“There is nothing we can’t do, if we do it together,” says Biden.

The president-elect’s time can’t come soon enough.

But it is a day of hope. A day of change. A day we can breathe a little bit easier.