Former Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday became the twentieth Democrat to publicly campaign for President in 2020 after releasing a campaign-launch ad named “America is an Idea” in which he claims “we are in a battle for the soul of this nation”.

After leading in virtually every poll from democrat primary to general election, rumors swirled as to whether the long-time politician would make the plunge. And if he did, would former President Obama endorse him? The launch that was expected Wednesday but was pushed to Thursday.

The video appears to be of a higher quality than similar videos put out by fellow Democrats like Julian Castro and Beto O’Rourke. Rather than the in-home meeting feel seen in their videos, Biden’s was even more intimate. It’s like he’s having a one on one conversation with the viewer.

As opposed to discussing in-depth policy positions that not everyone will agree on, the presidential hopeful sets his sights on just two simple narratives- racism is wrong and Trump is bad. He specifically talks about the Charlottesville riots in 2017 and attacks President Trump for saying there were “very good people on both sides”.

When asked about whether or not President Obama would endorse him Biden replied, “I asked President Obama not to endorse, whoever wins this nomination should win it on their own merits.”

Biden would surely love Barack’s endorsement but that was just the right thing to say. That’s not to mention that he probably has the best advisers and campaign staff available. And all the data and donor information that Barack Obama built up over a decade? Biden’s campaign probably has a copy.

While he’s a self-professed “gaffe machine” he is also the most recent heir to the democrat establishment’s political machine that orchestrated the winner of the 2020 Democrat primary and nearly handed Hillary the presidency.

Biden will host a campaign kick-off rally in Philadelphia on May 18th.

Watch Biden’s announcement video for yourself: