From power to civil war Bereft party turns on Biden as wilderness beckons

JOE BIDEN STOOD before the American people, millions of whom were still reeling from the news of Donald Trump's victory in the presidential race, and reassured them: "We're going to be OK"

- Joan E Greve

In his first remarks since his vicepresident and chosen successor, Kamala Harris, lost the election, Biden delivered a pep talk from the White House Rose Garden that clashed with Democrats' black mood in the wake of devastating electoral losses.

Biden promised a smooth transfer of power and expressed faith in the endurance of the American experiment.

"Setbacks are unavoidable, but giving up is unforgivable," Biden said. "A defeat does not mean we are defeated. We lost this battle. The America of your dreams is calling for you to get back up. That's the story of America for over 240 years and counting."

The message was at odds with the dire warnings that many Democrats, including Biden, had issued about the dangers of a second Trump term. They had predicted that Trump's return to power would jeopardise the foundation of American democracy. They had warned voters that Trump would make good on his promise to deport millions of undocumented people. And they had raised serious doubts about Trump's pledge to veto a nationwide abortion ban.

Now, as they face four more years of a Trump presidency, Democrats must reckon with the reality that those warnings were for naught. Not only did Trump win the White House, but he's on track to win the popular vote too. Senate Republicans have regained their majority, and they appear confident in their chances of holding the House of Representatives.