An-Najah News - President-elect Joe Biden addressed a deeply divided nation, asking supporters of President Donald Trump to give him a chance and  turning to the challenges ahead by grounding his victory speech in the spirit of compromise, calling on all Americans to turn the page from what he described as a "grim era of demonization."

Biden pledged to govern by the creed that he does not see blue states and red states, but only the United States.

Biden noted that he sought the nation's highest office "to rebuild the soul of America, to rebuild the backbone of this nation, the middle class, and to make America respected around the world again."Alluding to scripture, he added: "This is the time to heal in America." 

Biden made that plea for unity and understanding in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, at an extraordinary moment in American history when the current occupant of the White House showed no indication that he plans to concede to his rival.

Biden said, "For all those of you who voted for President Trump, I understand the disappointment tonight. I've lost a couple of times myself. But now, let's give each other a chance".

"It's time to put away the harsh rhetoric, lower the temperature, see each other again, listen to each other again. And to make progress we have to stop treating our opponents as enemies," he added 

Cognizant of the historical import of the moment, the Biden campaign opened the event by having Vice President-elect Kamala Harris introduce her running mate who will be the first woman -- and the first woman of color -- to serve as vice president.