WASHINGTON 19 Aug (ANA) - Joe Biden has been officially anointed the Democratic presidential candidate at the party's convention, helped over the line with some glowing testimonials from elder statesmen.

 

Two Democratic former presidents, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, and former Secretary of State Colin Powell, a Republican, endorsed Mr Biden.

 

Mr Clinton said President Donald Trump had brought "chaos" to the Oval Office.

 

Mr Trump trails Mr Biden in opinion polls ahead of November's election.

 

The convention is largely virtual, amid the coronavirus pandemic, and it is unclear whether a format of pre-recorded speeches and no live audience will generate the same levels of enthusiasm as the traditional party gatherings. Next week's Republican convention will also be mostly online.

 

The opening night drew 28% fewer viewers than in 2016, according to ratings from Nielsen, a global measurement and data analytics company.

 

Mr Biden, the former vice-president under President Barack Obama, became his party's nominee on Tuesday night in a pre-recorded roll call vote from delegates in all 50 states.

 

This is Mr Biden's third White House bid, having formerly run in 1988 and 2008. The 77-year-old's campaign appeared to be in danger of collapse back in February this year.

 

On the second night of the party convention on Tuesday, with the theme "leadership matters," Mr Clinton delivered the key address.(ANA)

FA/ANA/19 August 2020----