US Democrats Hold National Convention: Biden Officially Presidential Candidate

US Democrats officially nominated Joe Biden for president on Tuesday, with a message that his election will bring the US recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and prosperity.

On the second of four evenings of the national convention themed 'Leadership Matters', former presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, as well as other prominent members of the Democratic and Republican parties, addressed the audience via video link.

In their speeches, Democratic leaders compared Biden's vision for the presidency with Trump's management of the country during his two terms so far.

Former president Bill Clinton said in a pre-recorded video message that the Oval Office should be a 'command center'... 'Instead, it's the center of the storm. There is only chaos. One thing never changes – his denial of responsibility and shifting of blame,' Clinton said, pointing a finger at current president Donald Trump.

The four-day convention was largely virtual due to the coronavirus pandemic, with delegates from across the country voting remotely to confirm Biden as the presidential candidate.

Biden then appeared live with his wife Jill to thank the party for the nomination, more than three decades after his first unsuccessful bid for the White House.

Democrats paid special attention to Republicans who crossed party lines to endorse Biden (77).

Former Secretaries of State Colin Powell and John Kerry also addressed the convention.

Four-star general and Republican Colin Powell, who also endorsed Biden, is one of the security officials who spoke at the Democratic convention.

- He will trust our diplomats and our intelligence community, not the flattery of dictators and despots,' Powell said. 'He will know when someone dares to threaten us. He will confront our enemies with strength and experience,' Powell said in his message of support for Biden.

The convention was held without the usual chanting and applause crowds, with fewer TV viewers compared to 2016, but with an additional 10.2 million who followed via digital platforms, bringing the total viewership to around 30 million, according to the Biden campaign.

Biden's speech will follow on Thursday, while the Republican National Convention will be held next week.