In Ireland, Biden relies on a family history steeped in hope

He may not be a candidate yet, but President Biden has sent a message of optimism to the people of Ireland. It was a possible taste of a campaign to come.

Opposite St. Muredach's Cathedral on the banks of the River Moy in Ballina, the town where his ancestral Irish parents came from, President Biden drew on his family history to share a message of hope and optimism with the people of Ireland and the rest of the world – a message that could fuel a final presidential campaign.

"Our world stands at an inflection point today where the decisions we make today will affect our future for decades to come," said Mr. Biden said. "And it is in these times when we need hope and courage more than ever."

Connecting his political vision of the world to his family history, the President told the crowd – and the world – that this was “a time to re-engage our hearts, minds, hearts and souls in the march of progress. To lay the foundations, brick by brick by brick, for a better future for our children and our grandchildren. that he had already made up his mind and was planning to run again. "We'll announce that relatively soon," Biden said. "But the trip here has only reinforced my sense of optimism about what can be done."

Few politicians in the United States get the kind of raw and unanimous approval that Mr Biden arrived in Ballina, with an address in front of an august cathedral, with rock-star lighting and an uninhibited roar from an adoring crowd. Earlier Friday, thousands of people lined the river, braving the cold and heavy rain, for the chance to see Mr Biden. Musical acts played on large screens as the President slowly drove through Ireland from Dublin on Friday evening.

When he arrived in Ballina, the President flew over Marine One at low altitude. crowd of thousands, drawing huge cheers amid the roar of the helicopter.

Mr. Biden drank it in, delivering a short but forceful speech that faced almost no political scrutiny that might greet him upon his return to Washington. His speech was the emotional conclusion to a three-day tour that has been something of a personal interlude as he tries to maintain global support for Ukraine's defense amid low approval ratings and of an embarrassing series of leaked classified Pentagon documents.

< p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">He also faces lingering questions about his political future as he postpones an official announcement on a candidacy for re-election. On Irish soil, Mr. Biden has mostly kept quiet about his political plans. Instead, he relied on Ireland – the distant backdrop of all his most told folk tales – to help plead the case on his behalf, highlighting a life story centered on resilience. His homeland, with its "Welcome Home Joe" signs, Biden-themed pints of Guinness and crowds ready for selfies, seemed happy to help.

ImageM. Biden visiting the Family History Research Unit at the North Mayo Heritage and Genealogical Center in County Mayo. Ballina, Leo Varadkar, the Irish Prime Minister, called his country “a story of unimaginable courage in the face of loss. And above all, it is a love story. For the country, for the family and for the community."

He paused, then added: "This is your story, Mr. than ours."

Mr Biden spoke as he stood outside a cathedral where his great-great-great-grandfather, Edward Blewitt, made the bricks that were used to build...