If Trump gives tax breaks to the rich, doesn’t increase the minimum wage, and fails to reduce the cost of food, energy, rent, mortgages and gas a revolution amongst the bottom 99% is a guarantee! - People are already mobilizing regardless of political beliefs. It’s become a war between the 99% and the 1%.
The tragedy at the heart of a successful Biden presidency was his rhetorical inability and its result: an utterly silent bully pulpit.
At the end of Joe Wright's film Darkest Hour (2017), Gary Oldman (in his consummate portrayal of Churchill) delivers the stirring ‘We shall fight on the beaches’ speech, and wins Parliament’s support for continuing England's lone fight against "that corporal."
In the movie (and in June 1940), this peerless exercise of rhetorical brilliance put an end to Lord Halifax’s plan to sue for peace. Just afterwards, in the tumult and cheering, a stunned aide turns to Halifax (Stephen Dillane) and asks, "What just happened?" Halifax responds somberly, “He just mobilized the English language, and sent it into battle.”*
This is the tragedy of Joseph R Biden: having the bully pulpit for 4 years, and being constitutionally incapable of using it to tell Americans what he'd achieved over and over again. It is the singular reason his long list of accomplishments did not lead to a 2nd term - that, and the limitations of age. But we all know 82 year old's who can still (rhetorically) bring it.
* The quote originated with Edward R Murrow, and was repurposed by screenwriter Anthony McCarten.
Reading this from Germany, I feel the weight of America’s divisions and the stakes for its future. The essay highlights so many accomplishments of the Biden presidency, and yet, as I reflect, it’s clear that these facts, as impressive as they are, no longer hold the power they once did. The next 3 to 6 months are where the true story will unfold.
This is the point where the cracks will begin to open, and with them, an opportunity—an opportunity to let the light in and reclaim a democracy at risk of being lost. It’s not the achievements of the past four years that will determine the future, but the actions taken now, in the face of growing challenges and inevitable changes.
Yet here’s the crucial part: this cannot be done by mirroring the tactics of division or exclusion. True change will not come from othering or using the same measures as those who created the fractures. That path leads only to deeper divides.
The real strength lies in embodying what America has long aspired to be: kind, empathetic, compassionate, and rooted in values that align with the principles of the Constitution. This doesn’t mean it will be easy, and it doesn’t mean everyone can be reached. But I’m not speaking about the staunch believers of division. I’m speaking to the everyday people—the ones who didn’t vote because they felt both choices were unacceptable, or those who voted out of habit rather than conviction.
The past cannot be changed, but the future can. Change starts with humility, kindness, and humanity. It starts by embracing the cracks as places where light can enter, not through force, but through connection and vision.
From across the ocean, I watch with hope for what could emerge—not just for America, but for all of us who are impacted by the choices made in this critical moment.
an inauguration is an event the name for which derives from times when temple birds were torn open to see the future inside. these are still those times.
Back in the 80s neoliberals (the "New Democrats") hijacked the party. They ignored the left wing of the party assuming they'd have nowhere else to go. When HRC ran the left had had enough.
Biden compromised with Sanders and the left a began a process of moving the party back to where it should be, a party for the working class not the donor class.
He surprised me, in a good way. He did a lot of good stuff (as you listed), and some bad stuff. His problem seemed to me was that he was often walking a thin line between right and left sides of the party.
I kind of wish he had been in shape for a second term. I think it would have been even better. Harris on the other hand gave a lot of indications she was likely to re-embrace neoliberalism.
Would you entertain a rebuttal?
So much, so little time.
This should have been the resounding message prior to the election. So many people have such short, and I dare say, kindergarten attention spans.
My heart is soaring to read a long list of Biden’s accomplishments.
If Trump gives tax breaks to the rich, doesn’t increase the minimum wage, and fails to reduce the cost of food, energy, rent, mortgages and gas a revolution amongst the bottom 99% is a guarantee! - People are already mobilizing regardless of political beliefs. It’s become a war between the 99% and the 1%.
Excellent article. Thankyou.
Biden actually said “Trickle down doesn’t work”
Wonder what tRump said in his Oval Office letter to Biden in 2020? And now for a first Biden can respond to him in HIS very own letter!
The tragedy at the heart of a successful Biden presidency was his rhetorical inability and its result: an utterly silent bully pulpit.
At the end of Joe Wright's film Darkest Hour (2017), Gary Oldman (in his consummate portrayal of Churchill) delivers the stirring ‘We shall fight on the beaches’ speech, and wins Parliament’s support for continuing England's lone fight against "that corporal."
In the movie (and in June 1940), this peerless exercise of rhetorical brilliance put an end to Lord Halifax’s plan to sue for peace. Just afterwards, in the tumult and cheering, a stunned aide turns to Halifax (Stephen Dillane) and asks, "What just happened?" Halifax responds somberly, “He just mobilized the English language, and sent it into battle.”*
This is the tragedy of Joseph R Biden: having the bully pulpit for 4 years, and being constitutionally incapable of using it to tell Americans what he'd achieved over and over again. It is the singular reason his long list of accomplishments did not lead to a 2nd term - that, and the limitations of age. But we all know 82 year old's who can still (rhetorically) bring it.
* The quote originated with Edward R Murrow, and was repurposed by screenwriter Anthony McCarten.
Biden was busy ‘governing’. Hard, grinding, sometimes invisible to the naked eye thankless work, work, work. Day in day out….. Amazing!
Reading this from Germany, I feel the weight of America’s divisions and the stakes for its future. The essay highlights so many accomplishments of the Biden presidency, and yet, as I reflect, it’s clear that these facts, as impressive as they are, no longer hold the power they once did. The next 3 to 6 months are where the true story will unfold.
This is the point where the cracks will begin to open, and with them, an opportunity—an opportunity to let the light in and reclaim a democracy at risk of being lost. It’s not the achievements of the past four years that will determine the future, but the actions taken now, in the face of growing challenges and inevitable changes.
Yet here’s the crucial part: this cannot be done by mirroring the tactics of division or exclusion. True change will not come from othering or using the same measures as those who created the fractures. That path leads only to deeper divides.
The real strength lies in embodying what America has long aspired to be: kind, empathetic, compassionate, and rooted in values that align with the principles of the Constitution. This doesn’t mean it will be easy, and it doesn’t mean everyone can be reached. But I’m not speaking about the staunch believers of division. I’m speaking to the everyday people—the ones who didn’t vote because they felt both choices were unacceptable, or those who voted out of habit rather than conviction.
The past cannot be changed, but the future can. Change starts with humility, kindness, and humanity. It starts by embracing the cracks as places where light can enter, not through force, but through connection and vision.
From across the ocean, I watch with hope for what could emerge—not just for America, but for all of us who are impacted by the choices made in this critical moment.
McDonald Trump. That's a good one!
an inauguration is an event the name for which derives from times when temple birds were torn open to see the future inside. these are still those times.
It’s “free rein.” You give a horse free rein so it can pick its own way. Trump wants to reign, but he does not have free rein.
Let’s hope the horse bucks him into a ditch.
Thanks. I actually did know the difference, just screwed up. Impossible to believe, I know...
This was so good to read right now 😊
Thank you!
Any chance of a clean version of this? Not for me, for some who are offended by the f-bomb…
You can certainly copy/paste/edit to your heart's content...! Thanks for sharing...!
Back in the 80s neoliberals (the "New Democrats") hijacked the party. They ignored the left wing of the party assuming they'd have nowhere else to go. When HRC ran the left had had enough.
Biden compromised with Sanders and the left a began a process of moving the party back to where it should be, a party for the working class not the donor class.
He surprised me, in a good way. He did a lot of good stuff (as you listed), and some bad stuff. His problem seemed to me was that he was often walking a thin line between right and left sides of the party.
I kind of wish he had been in shape for a second term. I think it would have been even better. Harris on the other hand gave a lot of indications she was likely to re-embrace neoliberalism.
https://x.com/mvario1/status/1592213097569206277