President Biden and Vice President Harris were among the list of top party officials who attended the dinner.

Article by Tommy Lynch, White House Reporter

PHILADELPHIA - The third annual Pennsylvania Democratic Party Independence Dinner took place on Friday night in Center City, Philadelphia.

Reverend Alyn Walker began the dinner by addressing the violent attack against the Speaker of the House’s husband, Paul Pelosi, earlier in the day. In the midst of violence, Walker offered words of hope.

“I know we shall overcome,” Walker said, “It’s going to get better.”

After Walker’s blessing, chairman of PADEM, Sharif Street, introduced party member Peggy Grove to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

“The Republicans have shown us who they are,” said Joanna McClinton, the first woman to represent Harrisburg in the House of Representatives. “We need to act and vote…every single thing we care about is on the ballot.”

Senator Anthony Williams emphasized the need for people to vote, and argued that it is a simple choice.

“We are right, they are wrong,” said Williams, talking about the party’s stance on everything from education to the right to choose an abortion.

After Williams, John Fetterman–wearing his usual black sweatshirt–walked on stage to a standing ovation from the crowd.

“It’s so much nicer to spend a night with you all then it was with Dr. Oz,” joked Fetterman, referencing their intense debate from the previous Tuesday night. “What kind of a doctor wants somebody who was sick to remain sick?”

Fetterman suffered a stroke last May. Although he is cleared to lead, he occasionally stumbles over his words.

“I may not say everything perfectly all the time,” said Fetterman, “But I will always do the right things if you send me to Washington D.C.”

Fetterman emphasized the policy actions he would take in the Senate, including eliminating the filibuster, codifying Roe v. Wade, raising minimum wage, protecting Medicare and protecting social security.

“$7.25 is tragic and we just can’t allow that to endure,” said Fetterman. “All work has dignity. Every paycheck must have dignity too.”

Governor Tom Wolf followed Fetterman, introducing the chair of the Democratic National Committee, Jamie Harrison.

“The superpower for the Democratic Party is hope,” said Wolf. “We hope and believe that our better days are ahead of us and not behind us. We believe that the American dream should be available to all people”.

Harrison then introduced Vice President Kamala Harris to the stage as Bill Withers’ “Lovely Day” played through the Convention Center speakers.

Vice President Harris took aim at the Supreme Court of the United States and their decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

“These folks apparently believe that the government should be making decisions about women’s bodies,” said Harris as the crowd booed. “Well, we do not… We trust the women of America.”

“I have already broken John Adam’s record of tie-breaking votes in the senate,” Harris proudly announced to the cheering crowd. “I can’t wait to cast the tie breaking vote for the women’s health act.”

After Harris, Cardiovascular Monitoring Technician Lyric Eccleston brought President Joe Biden on stage.

Biden also began his speech with remarks against political violence, specifically against the Pelosi family.

“Every person of good conscience needs to stand up to the violence of our politics…all of us together, as Americans,” said Biden.

He continued with an emphasis on the importance of the midterm elections, and the need for everyone to get out and vote.

“This election is not a referendum, it’s a choice,” said Biden echoing what other speakers said throughout the night.

President Biden then shifted his focus to talk about the success the Democrats have had during his past two years in office. He reported that ten million jobs have been created under the Biden administration, the economy is growing, debt is diminishing, and social security is protected.

Biden referenced the high gas prices, criticizing the oil executives for making excessive profits as the rest of the country suffers from their prices.

Biden then shifted to discuss the battle over the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry.

“I can’t tell you how good it feels to finally beat big pharma,” Biden said to a cheering crowd, “We’re gonna cap the cost of insulin per month for people on Medicare at $35.”

He discussed the right women must have to chose to have an abortion, emphasizing that he will veto anything that tries to ban abortions. The administration plans to codify Roe v. Wade in January.

Biden then talked about his fight against assault weapons, saying that he will reinstate the assault rifle ban in order to keep the country safe.

“There is nothing beyond our capacity if we work together,” Biden said to end his speech, before stepping away from the podium to a cheering crowd.

Other speakers at the dinner included Congressman Bob Brady, Representative Joanna McClinton, and Pennsylvania lieutenant gubernatorial candidate Austin Davis, who is running to be the first black Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania.