LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A feisty President Joe Biden loudly outlined his administration's list of accomplishments Tuesday and told delegates at to the NAACP's annual convention that he was "all in" on a second term.
"Four more years! Four more years," a welcoming crowd shouted as the president began his remarks an hour after the advertised 1 p.m. start time.
During his 31-minute speech, Biden hinted at his recent rough patch following a disastrous June 27 debate performance and repeated attempts to get his campaign back on track by invoking former President Harry Truman, the first chief executive to attend an NAACP event in 1947.
Trump famously said "if you want a friend in Washington, get a dog," Biden reminded the crowd in a cavernous ballroom at the Mandalay Bay conference center.
"After the last couple of weeks, I know what means," Biden said.
Biden outlined a list of things his administration had already done, including:
- A record-low Black unemployment rate, reached in March 2023.
- What Biden called the most significant investments in fighting climate change in history.
- Forgiving millions in student debt.
- Lowering prescription drug prices by allowing Medicare to negotiate with drug makers.
- Sending money to historically black colleges and universities.
And he promised, if re-elected, to work on several initiatives, including:
- Banning military-style semi-automatic rifles of the kind used in the 1 October shooting in Las Vegas and in the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump on Saturday. "It's time to outlaw them. I did it once and I will do it again," said Biden, one of the backers of the original 1994 assault weapons ban.
- Expanding the child tax credit to allow parents to pay for day care for children.
- Ending jail sentences for people convicted of simple possession or use of marijuana.
- Passing voting rights laws.
- Passing legislation to codify the overturned Roe v. Wade decision on abortion.
- Raising taxes on wealthy people to expand Social Security and Medicare.
- Capping rent increases on corporate-owned homes.
WATCH FULL SPEECH: President Biden speaks at 115th NAACP National Convention
That last point drew an objection from Gov. Joe Lombardo, who recently called for Biden to release more federal land to build more affordable housing. (Biden has embraced that idea.)
“While the release of federal land for subsidized housing in Las Vegas is one arrow in our quiver, significant work remains in alleviating high housing costs for the middle class and eliminating federal barriers to housing development across the state,” Lombardo said in a statement.
"Like many others, I’m also concerned about President Biden’s rent control proposal, which studies have repeatedly shown to inadvertently raise rental costs and lead to lower-quality housing options. My administration remains committed to delivering sustainable and practical long-term housing solutions for Nevadans," he added.
Biden warned the NAACP of Project 2025, a lengthy list of conservative policy initiatives compiled by the Heritage Foundation as a road map to a new conservative administration. Trump has tried to distance himself from the document, although some former Trump administration officials were involved in its drafting.
"They're trying to erase Black history," Biden claimed. "Black history is American history."
Biden reminded the crowd that he'd appointed the first Black woman to the U.S. Supreme Court, and the next president could appoint as many as two justices to the court, which has become a political touchstone in the last three years.
The president didn't shy away from the age issue, which many people in his own party have cited as a reason to have him step aside and let someone younger take over.
"Hopefully, with age, I've demonstrated a little bit of wisdom." he said. "Here's what I do know: I know how to tell the truth. I know right from wrong. I know how to do this job, And I know the good Lord hasn't brought us this far to leave us now."
Biden is scheduled to speak at the UnidosUS Annual Conference and a campaign community event on Wednesday.
In response to Biden's visit, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley said in a statement Biden has not been good for Nevada.
"Joe Biden’s economic agenda has bankrupted the Silver State, with inflation at over 22 percent and nearly $1,200 in monthly household costs crushing everyday families," the statement reads. "Meanwhile, at our historic National Convention in Milwaukee, Republicans just highlighted President Trump’s agenda to Make America Wealthy Again by cutting taxes, lowering costs, and expanding opportunities for workers across the country. It’s no wonder why President Trump is winning every battleground state, including including Nevada – voters are fed up with being broke under Biden, and they are ready to Make America Great Again.”
WATCH: You can watch Biden's speech to a community group here:
