Election 2020 updates: Biden warns of 'dark winter,' pushes masks in pandemic plan

Biden promised not to divide, but to unify.

"Folks, I’m a proud Democrat, but I will govern as an American president. I'll work as hard for those who didn't vote for me as those who did. Let this grim era of demonization in America begin to end here and now," he said to cheers, applause and car horn honks.

"The refusal of Democrats and Republicans to cooperate with one another, it’s not some mysterious force beyond our control. It's a decision. A choice we make. And if we can decide not to cooperate, then we can decide to cooperate. And I believe that this is part of the mandate given to us from the American people," he continued.

"America has always been shaped by inflection points, by moments in time where we've made hard decisions about who we are and what we want to be. Lincoln in 1860 coming to save the union. FDR in 1932 promising a beleaguered country a new deal. JFK in 1960 pledging a new frontier, and 12 years ago, when Barack Obama made history, he told us 'yes, we can,'" he added. "Well folks, we stand at an inflection point. We have an opportunity to defeat despair, to build a nation of prosperity and purpose. We can do it. I know we can."

Biden then returned to the message he used to kick off his campaign.

"I've long talked about the battle for the soul of America. We must restore the soul of America. Our nation is shaped by the constant battle between our better angels and our darkest impulses. And what presidents say in this battle matters. It's time for our better angels to prevail," he said. "Tonight, the whole world is watching America. And I believe at our best, America is a beacon for the globe."

Biden wasted no time in making his first promise as president-elect, saying he would form a team to work on defeating COVID-19 on Monday. He said it would begin to implement its plan on Jan. 20, the day of his inauguration.

"On Monday I will name a group of leading scientists and experts as transition advisors to help take the Biden-Harris COVID plan and convert it into an action blueprint that will start on January the 20, 2021," he said. "That plan will be built on bedrock science."

While on the campaign trail, Biden often set out to show the difference between his approach to the coronavirus pandemic and President Donald Trump's inconsistent approach that often antagonized science. The U.S. set records for most cases each of the last three days, crossing 100,000 cases each time.

"Folks, our work begins with getting COVID under control," Biden said. "We cannot repair the economy, restore our vitality or relish life's most precious moments, hugging our grandchildren, our children, our birthdays, weddings, graduations, all the moments that matter most to us until we get it under control."

"I'll have the honor of serving with a fantastic vice president who you just heard from, Kamala Harris, who makes history as the first woman, first black woman, the first woman from south Asian descent, the first daughter of immigrants ever elected in this country," Biden said. "Don't tell me it's not possible in the United States. It’s long overdue. And we're reminded tonight of those who fought so hard for so many years to make this happen. Once again, America's bent the arc of the moral universe more towards justice."

"Kamala, Doug, like it or not, you’re family. You've become an honorary Biden. There's no way out," he continued.

Following a brief speech, Harris introduced Biden, who jogged out to the stage and greeted a newly masked Harris with double fist bumps. They posed for photos in front of the podium and then Harris exited the stage.

"Folks, the people of this nation have spoken. They've delivered us a clear victory, a convincing victory, a victory for we, the people. We’ve won with the most votes ever cast on a presidential ticket in the history of the nation: 74 million," he said. "And what I must admit has surprised me, tonight we're seeing all over this nation, all cities in all parts of the country, indeed across the world, an outpouring of joy, of hope of renewed faith in tomorrow, bring a better day. And I'm humbled by the trust and confidence you've placed in me."

"I pledge to be a president who seeks not to divide but unify. Who doesn't see red states and blue states, only sees the United States," in a callback to remarks from former President Barack Obama. "And work with all my heart with the confidence of the whole people, to win the confidence of all of you. And for that is what America I believe is about. It's about people and that's what our administration will be all about."