The Kid From Scranton Makes Good
President Biden's address to the nation should be applauded as a hopeful act of selflessness for the greater good of our nation, which is fighting against the forces of hate and authoritarianism.
I was conflicted watching President Biden’s sober, selfless, and optimistic address to the nation. It was simultaneously sad and inspiring, painful and cathartic. The 81-year-old President appeared before the world humbled after nearly a month-long media frenzy following a disastrous debate that sealed his political fate. He could have rebelled and stayed in the fight, but he chose to voluntarily step aside after dedicating fifty years of his life to public service. The speech, and the past week, could not have been easy on the “kid with a stutter from modest beginnings in Scranton, Pennsylvania.”
But instead of grievance and victimhood, he chose to be selfless and uplifting. Instead of rage and pettiness, he was soothing and generous.
Could you imagine Donald Trump ever making a speech like this? After surviving an assassination attempt, Trump was allegedly emerging as a changed man. He was going to be pensive, serene, and a unifier. As a person with a few near-death experiences up his sleeve, I can tell you that brushes with mortality have a remarkable ability to leave you humbled and vulnerable with a greater appreciation for life and people. Well, not so with Trump. He only lasted thirty minutes during his RNC speech before devolving into his usual schtick of narcissism and cruelty. Instead of a 180 he did a 360 and returned to being the nasty vulgarian he’s always been as evidenced by his rally speech earlier today in Charlotte.
If there ever was an argument to end the dangerous “both sides” false equivalence, it was surely tonight. Just compare the speeches of both men. Put the transcripts side by side. Look at the words, the tone, the substance, and the messages of the speeches. There’s no “both sides.” The stark differences couldn’t be clearer. If you’re on the fence, now’s the time to jump off and join the side that is dedicated to protecting our democracy and our freedoms.
In his address, President Biden did exactly that and made clear the stakes for the upcoming election. It’s about the future of democracy and our republic - if we can keep it. I appreciated his candor in acknowledging that it isn’t easy to leave the most powerful position on Earth. “I revere this office,” he said, “but I love my country more…but in the defense of democracy, I think it is more important than any title. This sacred task of perfecting our union is not about me. It is about you.”
He’s right. He “passed the torch” to the American people after making his case. “Whether we keep our republic is now in your hands,” he said. It’s also in the hands of his Vice President Kamala Harris, whom he praised and endorsed as she attempts to become the first female President of this nation.
I have my disagreements with President Biden, especially over his moral failure in Gaza. I refuse to indulge in the cult of personality. After all, Presidents are not meant to be Kings or Emperors. They are servants of the people and stewards of the nation. They are powerful instruments and tools that should be used to advance the most good for the people. Biden seems to understand the role, whereas Trump seeks a dictatorship.
As such, I tip my hat to President Biden for his remarkable achievements in three and a half years to steer the country towards healing and growth after the chaos of the Trump Administration. Impressively, he was able to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, Infrastructure Bill, and appoint the first Black woman on the Supreme Court despite facing nothing but hostility and obstruction from a GOP that is now committed to conspiracy theories and violent insurrections. He stood by as Vice President to the first Black President and he is now passing the baton to, hopefully, the first Black female President. He’s doing it as an elderly white man. That isn’t lost upon me or other people of color in this country in which we are now debased and mocked as “DEI Hires” and “invaders.”
Ultimately, I believe his willingness to uplift Barack Obama and Kamala Harris, as well as selflessly step aside for the sake of the nation, shall be the highlight of his political legacy. Still, the work remains. He is the President for the next six months, and as such I hope he goes HAM with popular progressive policies that can help the people. I also hope he flexes against Prime Minister Netanyahu, who gave one of the most odious and shameful speeches by a foreign dignitary earlier today, and ushers in a much-needed ceasefire in Gaza. President Biden owes it to the Palestinian people to use his leverage and force Netanyahu to accept the peace plan.
There is still time, and there is still hope. The work isn’t over. Onward.
I'm a native Delawarean. Most people have no appreciation for just how small my home state really is. Just 3 counties. Maybe 90 miles north to south, 40 odd miles wide. We natives know each other. Joe Biden and his family have been part of my life for most of my life. I remember when his first wife and their little baby were killed in a car accident and his little boys were in intensive care. Delawareans have been with Joe through hard times and triumphs. So, this speech was hard for those of us in the Delaware family to hear, because the Bidens are like family to all of us.
I'm proud of Joe for his courage in making the hard and heartbreaking decision to end his political career, but grateful for his selflessness in passing the torch to Kamala Harris. So, all I can say is thank you, Mr. President. Delaware is proud to call you one of our own.
I appreciate this piece for how well you could set aside your differences especially given your advocacy for the people suffering heartbreaking devastation in Gaza. I really admire that. You demonstrated sincere respect and clearly have moral superiority over many in your profession.