Joe Biden's Defiance

Joe Biden's speech at what constituted the Democratic National Convention, delivered with some relief among the Democratic faithful--we were all waiting for him to say something obtuse but he never did--was in fact several gestures of defiance that were good for the soul.

The speech got up in 45's face in three distinct ways:

• The kid who stuttered. That was Brayden Harrington of New Hampshire. We cringed, and then cheered, as he finished his little speech. We thought about the physically challenged reporter for the New York Times who 45 had mocked in one of his speeches four years ago. We remembered how we reeled with shock. We remember that it never mattered to millions. We remembered, too, that Joe Biden has a stuttering issue that he has taken years to overcome, and how his parents rallied to his side after he was made fun of in school. It was Joe Biden saying, Okay, you want to make fun of this? This is what it really is. This kid is being given a chance to overcome it, and he will. Just like I did. And here I am. Come and get it.
• His son, Hunter. In anticipation of another lurch from Rudy Giuliani, Biden allowed his two remaining children to introduce him. That put Hunter, who has been implicated in shady dealings with Ukraine--largely to take attention away from 45's impeachment charges--in front of the media attention for the duration of the trial. Funny how that went way, right? Funny how Republicans paid zero attention to him after he had fulfilled their purposes. It was Joe Biden saying, I remember what you did. We're ready for you. I'm not going to hide him. Come and get it.
• No more Sleepy Joe. The Joe Biden that gave that speech, and that has emerged during the latter part of the campaign, is energetic, empathetic, and fully capable of governing, like so many of us know him. The speech stopped just short of fierce, but when it was over, there was no doubt about Biden's willingness to step up and be counted. Notice that 45 has not mentioned the moniker "Sleepy Joe" since. The bully has been scared off. It doesn't mean he won't in the future, but the extended silence on the matter can now be called back into attention as well. Your debate will go differently this time. You can't intimidate me. Come and get it.

In more than one place here, I have said that Biden wouldn't be the best Democratic candidate. I had, in fact, settled on Kamala Harris and Amy Klobuchar. I still think so: Quick-witted, experienced in taking on Republicans in Congress, and not too far left on anything, they could have given fresh energy to Democrats to campaign on something other than just getting rid of 45 (which is enough for me, but I fear not so with others). That Biden chose Harris as his running mate shows first, that he can keep secrets, because no media leaked anything until he announced his choice; second, that race and gender really do matter to him; and third, that he can, has, and does, thread needles to please the most people most of the time. He is anything but divisive.

Knowledgeable people say they can't wait to see Harris take on Mike Pence, but Republicans are good at looking like they don't know what they're doing until a showdown takes place. Harris' skills as a prosecutor may look really good from here, but Pence has a bearing that, despite a pedantic speaking style, appears regal. He'll get in his necessary talking points, regardless of the questions. That's what spokespeople are taught to do regardless of what they're selling. If you've ever been through any training, you know.

It will also indicate two very different narratives, not necessarily one that Republicans are afraid of or apologetic for. In the 2014 debate in the race for governor of Texas, I watched Democrat Wendy Davis, at least on paper, destroy Republican Greg Abbott, who did the aw-shucks act as well as I've ever seen. She didn't cut into his lead, though, losing by 20 points. She attacked him, she pilloried him, she almost made fun of him. It didn't matter. Abbott would defend 'Texas values' regardless of the facts. 

But that was six years ago, and the momentum has swung quite differently. Abbott's approval rating on handling the pandemic has dropped sharply. Too. 

At last check, with regard to the presidential race, Texas was in play (though it was rumored to be that, too, four years ago, and Clinton was buried). Texas Democrats gained 13 seats in the state House in 2018. Democracy responds slowly, but it responds.

Expect 45 to also be defiant, regardless of the facts. But this time, his defiance will be met by someone who's had a long time to observe, as have we, the damage that a clueless presidency can bring. If Biden can hold his ground, keep from being defensive, and call out 45 for the lying con-man that he is, he will do enough to ride out any counterattack. That should look sufficiently defiant, but a tall order against an ultimate showman. Still, the only problem should be where to start in on pointing out bad behavior and broken promises.

Be well. Be careful. Wear a mask. With some luck, I'll see you down the road.

Mister Mark