When Joe Biden ran for president, many predicted he would stumble and bumble his way through the job. Robin Sears writes that after his speech to Congress this week, it's clear he is a masterful communicator:
President Joe Biden is no great orator. On some days he is a hesitant, painfully stumbling speaker. No Reaganesque soaring rhetoric, no thundering à la LBJ. But in the manner of Roosevelt, he is a convincing, authentic political communicator bar none. He reaches out, crediting Mitch McConnell for his help on a key bill. He stressed that his early successes were due to the work of every member of Congress, not him.
Make no mistake — this was a profoundly radical speech, even if delivered in a style perfect for a lunchtime Rotary Club chat. And that was its power. Using the old political tool of personal stories to highlight a complex policy, Biden cited one American after another, who in their pain had reached out to him by letter.
And he used those stories to promise big changes:
Biden committed to two years of free pre-kindergarten starting at the age of three, and two years of free community college. Plus child care, paid medical leave and cheaper drugs. Contrast that with what’s on offer from everyone except the NDP in Canada. Another blush about our collective timidity, at a moment demanding political courage to push through to the other side of this pandemic.
He has promised a wealth tax not as frivolous as charging 10 per cent on your latest yacht. Unlike this government, he has not flinched on taxing capital gains more fairly. He gave shout-outs to American labour, saying something that I have never heard from the lips of a Canadian Liberal or Conservative leader: “Unions built the middle class.” All this from a centrist American Democrat.
Getting his agenda through Congress will not be easy. The Republican Party -- as it did with Barack Obama -- has adopted a scorched earth response to that agenda. But, if Biden can convince enough American voters to support his agenda, The Republicans are the ones who'll get burned.
Canadian politicians should take a few lessons from Biden.
Image: Business-Insider
10 comments:
I must say that I'm beyond impressed so far with Biden- he was far from my first choice of nominee, but it turns out, he was the perfect choice and is rising to the occasion despite his spotty record. What struck me most in the last few days new cycle were the number of GQP politicians now taking credit for the rescue plan they callously voted against. They know full well their voters are on board and they have to show some support for it or risk big losses. The wild card in Biden's continued success will arrive in the 2022 midterms and the ability to expand rather than lose the house and senate. So far, so good, and it's making us look like not so fast on the progressive agenda. Whoda thought even a few months ago that was even possible. BC Waterboy
I agree, waterboy. I've been very surprised by Biden. What hasn't surprised me is the hypocrisy of the Republicans.
Geez. I hope you guys are right and this guy is wrong
"Biden’s Left Feint
BY TED RALL
If you don’t dig deep Joe Biden appears to be governing as the most liberal president since LBJ. But conservatives needn’t worry. Biden is no progressive in centrist’s clothing. True, the president’s legislative agenda—after the coronavirus relief bill, which was undeniably progressive—would expand the social safety net, increase direct aid to citizens in trouble and pay for this expansion of the federal government with tax hikes the way we leftists like them, on corporations and rich individuals—if passed.
Which it won’t. No one, Biden least of all, expects Congress to approve his big infrastructure or education packages. Recalcitrant Republicans and reluctant red-state Democrats like Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia will probably water the proposed $2.3 trillion infrastructure bill down to virtual under-$1-trillion insignificance. The $1.8 trillion education proposal, which would be funded by a capital-gains tax increase the GOP hates, is an even more desperate Hail Mary pass.
These bills aren’t serious attempts to legislate."
I was awestruck to learn that Biden's speech received an 85 per cent approval rating. After years of rightwing fear-mongering and miscellaneous horse shit, he offered the American people what they need plus a convincing explanation of how it will be funded.
Have the Americans finally had their fill of "trickle down" nonsense and tax breaks for the rich, the benefits of which stay with the rich? The Big Lie was launched by Reagan and his budget czar, David Stockman. Reaganomics became the battle cry of the Republicans ever since up to and including Trump.
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/09/reagan-veteran-warns-that-trumps-gop-is-driving-the-us-toward-fiscal-ruin
I think Biden needs to turn hopeful words into action quickly, certainty before the mid-terms. If he can go into the mid-terms with some tangible success he might score a win for the Dems in both houses of Congress. That would put the Republicans to rout.
It's interesting to see Stockman condemn what he began, Mound. Let's hope that ordinary Americans will do the same thing.
It's pretty clear that the bills will be whittled down, PoV. The question is by how much? We'll get to say how Biden plays poker.
Canadian politicians should take a few lessons from Biden.
They are still taking their talking points from Trump!
It's been a long time since Canadian politicians stood up to their US counterparts.
We are all the worse off for it.
TB
Sorry to be cynical but how much is "Biden" and how much is his advisors. His foreign policy seems driven by a collection of retread Clinton/Obama failures.
My bet is that his internal advisors just happen to be more liberal, not that he, himself, has moved much on the political spectrum.
Still, one takes what one can get.
We used to believe it was bad policy to imitate our American cousins, TB.
Contrary to Republican talking points, jrk, Biden is no socialist. But he's smart enough to recognize the moment.
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