Biden Channels Past and Future in Moving Address to the Nation

Photo Credit: Pete Marovich, New York Times

The past month of American politics will be of great interest to future historians. During the first presidential debate on June 28 President Biden's verbal skills appeared alarmingly diminished, confirming fears he may not be able to serve another term, much less effectively campaign against Donald Trump. Meanwhile, the Administration's attempt at damage control after the debate were flailing with increased calls for the President to exit the race. 

Then on Saturday, July 13 there was an assassination attempt on Trump in which he escaped with a minor wound to his ear, an innocent bystander was tragically killed. The act of political violence recalled some of the darkest moments in American history and rattled the nerves of a nation already on edge. 

This past Sunday, while recovering from Covid, Biden announced he was dropping out of the race and pledging all his delegates and full endorsement to Vice President Kamala Harris. Events sped up over the next 48 hours, as all the potential rivals to Harris pledged their support, quickly ending speculation of brokered conventions or "mini primaries." With Biden cratering in the polls, a feeling of dread enveloped the Democratic Party, but the sudden consolidation of support behind Vice President Harris has changed the dynamics of the race.

Last night, President Biden delivered a poignant address to the nation, bringing the events of recent weeks into perspective while appealing to the past and while making a hopeful gesture towards the future. Biden also explained why he ultimately made the decision to leave the race, while championing the accomplishments of his term and the work that remains to be done in the coming months.

The speech effectively employed rhetoric from presidential speeches of the past. The first paragraph invoked Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, Washington who stepped away from power, Lincoln who proclaimed, "with malice toward none," and FDR's promise of freedom from fear. These were all important reminders of past Presidents whose actions and language left a shining legacy. At the same time, Biden points out America has often failed to live up to its ideals, "but we've never walked away from it either and I do not believe the American people will walk away from it now."

Expressing humility, the President stated he will be leaving office in "defense of democracy." The stakes of the upcoming election are just too high, "America is going to choose between moving forward or backward, between hope and hate, between unity and division."  Biden also focused on his accomplishments, and while believing they merited a second term, the time for a change had nevertheless arrived. 

In a rhetorical turn, Biden stated he "decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation." The phrase "passing the torch" references JFK's inaugural address, which he stated, "the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans." As a representative of the new generation taking power, Kennedy was appealing to young Americans. In a graceful reversal, as a representative of the older generation, Biden is willfully stepping down to make way for new voices.

Biden also put his own political career into perspective. Elected to the Senate in 1972 and would serve until 2009. Known for two failed presidential campaigns in 1988 and 2008, he was selected by Barack Obama as his running mate and served two terms as Vice President. For personal reasons he chose not to run in 2016, but the Democratic Party coalesced around him in 2020 as their best chance at defeating Trump.

And Biden delivered, building a coalition strong enough to defeat Trump, presenting a positive message in contrast to his opponent's incessant negativity about the future. Through a disturbing interregnum which culminated with an angry mob attacking the U.S. Capitol at Trump's behest as a pandemic was pushing the healthcare system to the brink, Biden's inauguration was the most fraught since FDR's in 1933 at the height of the Great Depression. 

Biden recalled his time entering office in 2021 as "a winter of peril and winter of possibilities." The analogy works as a suitable summation of his presidency. There's been many highs and lows. Biden was wise enough to realize he would never achieve the popularity of past presidents due to the polarization and an ever-present Trumpism. For many Biden is the last of the old school politicians shaped by the 20th Century, yet ironically suited to hold things together though the many crises of the 2020s. 

Powerful rhetoric skillfully marks the passage of time from one era to another, providing clarity and meaning in moments of uncertainty. It's impossible to gauge how Biden's speech this past evening will be remembered. Based on the criteria above, the speech delivered, reminding Americans, in a line that reminded me of Truman, "here kings and dictators do not rule - the people do."