Biden calls for patience, says, 'We're going to win this,' as presidential race remains too close to call

With the presidential race still too close to call after midnight, former Vice President Joe Biden spoke to supporters early Wednesday, telling them he was “on track to win this election.”

“We feel good about where we are. We really do. I’m here to tell you tonight we believe we’re on track to win this election,” he said, as supporters honked their car horns at a drive-in rally at the Chase Center in Wilmington, Del.

“I’m optimistic about this outcome,” he added.

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden gestures while speaking speaks to supporters, as he stands on stage with his wife Jill Biden Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, in Wilmington, Del. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Former Vice President Joe Biden, with his wife, Jill, urges supporters to "keep the faith" early Wednesday in Wilmington, Del. (Andrew Harnik/AP)

Biden, who appeared with his wife, Jill, commended his supporters for their patience, saying, “We knew this was going to go long.”

Although polling showed Biden with a substantial lead going into Election Day, both nationally and in key swing states, the Democrat remained locked in a close race with President Trump early Wednesday morning. Key battleground states, such as Georgia, remained too close to call as Biden spoke, according to the Associated Press, leaving both candidates short of the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the presidency.

Delays in reporting results in some states stemmed in part from massive expansions in early and mail-in voting, due to the coronavirus pandemic. In three pivotal swing states that remained too close to call, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan, Republican-controlled legislatures refused to allow election clerks to open mail ballots before election week, although this was certain to cause a delay in counting ballots.

At his election night rally, Biden name-checked all three states, saying he felt confident about his chances there. He also promised that while it would “take time to count the votes,” he would win Pennsylvania, where he was born and spent part of his childhood.

“We’re feeling real good about Wisconsin and Michigan. And by the way, it’s going to take time to count the votes, but we’re going to win Pennsylvania,” he said.

“Keep the faith, guys,” Biden said as he concluded his remarks. “We’re going to win this.”

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