Former Vice¹ President Joe Biden formally joined the crowded Democratic presidential contest on Thursday.

 

美国前总统乔·拜登周四正式加入民主党总统竞选。
 

 

He made his announcement in a video posted on Twitter, declaring, "We are in the battle for the soul of this nation."

 

"If we give Donald Trump² eight years in the White House, he will forever and fundamentally alter the character of this nation," Biden said. "Who we are. And I cannot stand by and watch that happen."

 

Thursday's announcement marks the unofficial end of the chaotic³ early phase of the 2020 presidential season. The field now features at least 20 Democrats⁴ jockeying for the chance to take on President Donald Trump next year. Several lesser-known candidates may still join the race.

 

Biden, a 76-year-old lifelong politician, becomes an instant front-runner alongside Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who is leading many polls and has proved to be a successful fundraiser . Among Democrats, Biden has unmatched international and legislative⁵ experience, and he is among the best-known faces in U.S. politics.

 

But the anti-establishment wave that swept Trump into office has not been kind to either party's statesmen. Biden's team worries about his fundraising ability and his tendency to commit gaffes⁶. His centrist approach in a party moving left on major policy debates raises questions about his appeal.

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