I really love this tribute to Joe. Thank you. I have been annoyed with the Bulwark lately because I have felt as though many comments around this candidate change have been petty and small. Joe Biden has done heroic work these last 3 and a half years and deserves our respect and thanks. I know hard conversations were had before the July decision but I wish that they were kept between the players and out of the public. Joe deserved that. I also believe it is right for Kamala to run this cycle. It has energized the Party and is a chance to get out from under this heavy load we have been dealing with since 2015. Joe Biden saved us in 2020 from 8 years of Trump and in 2024 Kamala will again keep Trump away from the Whitehouse.
How fortunate we were to have Joe Biden become US President when he did. As a student and professor of history I consider him to have been one of our best.
I keep thinking about the song “One Last Time,” from the musical Hamilton. In it, George Washington explains that he is stepping down from the presidency. Washington sings, “If I say goodbye, the nation learns to move on; it outlives me when I’m gone. One last time, and then we’ll teach them how to say goodbye.”
George Washington was demonstrating the brand new democratic concept of peaceful transition of power where a leader peacefully hands over control of government to a different, newly-elected leader.
Biden has given us all a master class in peaceful, democratic transfer of power, of putting your country first, and what it means to be a patriot.
"I believe the answer is his age. Biden’s age was his electoral weakness. It was also his superpower."
The paradox of how a weakness could be a strength is lost on most people. It might have been for me too, if not for experiencing it first hand in a 45-year career in science, where its weaknesses (falsifiability, requirement for evidence and independent validation, etc.) are its strength. In MAGA world in particular, everything is an either-or. It's either "strength" (e.g. a protected coward talking tough because he's so protected) or "weakness" (e.g. avoiding instant gratification for the long term good of one's country). So it's no surprise that MAGA world hates science, and loves feel-good evidence-free claims.
"Republicans could have supported these policies (which many of them did) while trying to guide their voters away from Trumpism (which almost none of them did)."
Although I find the latter despicable, in reality there was almost nothing they could do - and keep their jobs. Because all along, and sadly even now, the VOTERS call the shots. Just a small % fewer voters addicted to their celebrity idol, and Biden would have had an electoral landside, and those spineless cowards and shameless opportunists would have told their "master" that his era was over. And without that protection he would have pouted and slithered back to reality TV and/or more of his scams. This year we voters have another chance to do that. One that could be our last.
"I personally find Trump abhorrent, but I’m going to take a job in his administration as Assistant Deputy XYZ, because if I don’t take it, someone worse will. And by working within the system, I can do more good than if I were locked out on the outside with the Never Trump losers."
Over the last decade, that delusional rationalizing took over an entire political party as every midlevel hack told themselves that they just had to be complicit in Trumpism, because the world so needed them.
JVL, without trying to be too historical or too comparative, I was struck by this obvious point in large measure because, here in Germany, the equivalent SCOTUS just finalized the conviction of a 99 year old woman as a war criminal.
As an 18 year old she became the secretary for the commandant of a concentration camp near Danzig in Poland that killed over 65,000 "undesirables" during WWII. The conviction was for her integral part in the machinery of death that was enabled by her (typing up lists of those to be killed, reports of how it was done, etc), and thousands of other "civil servants" in equally "mundane, daily routine" types of jobs. 90-95% of the personnel at the camp were also "civil servants" who could have declined their jobs, but many of whom affirmatively applied for them, be it out of conviction for "the cause" or the perks or whatever. It has also been historically shown by careful research that a handful of those "detailed" to work as a "civil servant" at that camp either refused or arranged to be transferred, all without any known consequences.
I am not implying that we are (or were) anywhere close to what happened in that camp, just reporting for a friend who occasionally tries to look to the future in light of the past.
Without doubt the best piece you have ever written. Joe Biden will go down as one of the great Presidents, a transformational Presidency, but more important a great man for his service to our country!
I was there Monday night (and had the good sense to pack a few tissues). The only thing that superseded the enormous feeling of warmth for Joe was the massive charge of electricity hit the crowd when we all realized that we weren't seeing yet another film of the life and deeds of Kamela was on the Jumbotron, but that the real-deal in-the-flesh Woman was actually in the building.
I love you, JVL, and I think Biden has been a very good President. (As an aside, "greatest living President" is a pretty low bar right now.) I have to respectfully throw a bit of shade, though. I think it was a terrible - irresponsible, even - decision for Biden to have run again at all. Among other reasons, I believe if the Republicans knew in November of 2022 that they would not be facing Joe Biden but rather a much younger, more vital candidate they would very likely not have fallen in line behind Trump, who (deep in his lizard brain) knew that he would fare much better against Biden than against just about anyone else. And, of course, we would not be worried about mobs storming the Capitol or anywhere else on behalf of anyone else. So I'll recognize Biden for his strong performance as President and eventual recognition of the need to step aside, but driving the bus right up to the edge of the cliff and finally putting it in reverse when the front wheels are hanging into the abyss does not get you on my personal Mount Rushmore.
This is an astute and beautifully said piece--the best "take" on Joe Biden's role these last several years and his likely place in history that I have read. I hope that he sees it.
Thank you, JVL, for this. I think that history will indeed show that Biden was an excellent president. The ageist comments will fade away with time. It must have been so hard for him to walk away, but he did it. And I am grateful to him for his leadership, and for his sacrifice.
The thing these fools and their t shirts lauding a dictator ignore is this: a dictator wields absolute power to suit his own aims. You people in the t- shirts don't figure in that plan AT ALL. What did he give you little people last time? NOTHING. And nothing is what you'll get when he is your elected Emperor, ruling to siphon wealth to himself and his even wealthier cronies.
Your Nation is too great a plaything to hand to this greedy, petulant little man- child.
We have been subjected to the abject cruelty, stupidity, and crassness of Donald Trump for almost a decade. To see Joe Biden, a decent, capable human being pass the torch to another capable, decent human being was beautiful. That took courage, dignity, and generosity of spirit worthy of a president. But Joe Biden did not just pass the torch to Kamala Harris, he passed it to all of us as well. Democracy is not a spectator sport. If we truly want to honor Joe Biden and all he has done for America, It is our obligation as democratic citizens to defeat Donald Trump and his miserable minions with everything we’ve got.
I really love this tribute to Joe. Thank you. I have been annoyed with the Bulwark lately because I have felt as though many comments around this candidate change have been petty and small. Joe Biden has done heroic work these last 3 and a half years and deserves our respect and thanks. I know hard conversations were had before the July decision but I wish that they were kept between the players and out of the public. Joe deserved that. I also believe it is right for Kamala to run this cycle. It has energized the Party and is a chance to get out from under this heavy load we have been dealing with since 2015. Joe Biden saved us in 2020 from 8 years of Trump and in 2024 Kamala will again keep Trump away from the Whitehouse.
Isn’t it fitting(poetical actually) that a black women will be the one who saves democracy
How fortunate we were to have Joe Biden become US President when he did. As a student and professor of history I consider him to have been one of our best.
I keep thinking about the song “One Last Time,” from the musical Hamilton. In it, George Washington explains that he is stepping down from the presidency. Washington sings, “If I say goodbye, the nation learns to move on; it outlives me when I’m gone. One last time, and then we’ll teach them how to say goodbye.”
George Washington was demonstrating the brand new democratic concept of peaceful transition of power where a leader peacefully hands over control of government to a different, newly-elected leader.
Biden has given us all a master class in peaceful, democratic transfer of power, of putting your country first, and what it means to be a patriot.
"I believe the answer is his age. Biden’s age was his electoral weakness. It was also his superpower."
The paradox of how a weakness could be a strength is lost on most people. It might have been for me too, if not for experiencing it first hand in a 45-year career in science, where its weaknesses (falsifiability, requirement for evidence and independent validation, etc.) are its strength. In MAGA world in particular, everything is an either-or. It's either "strength" (e.g. a protected coward talking tough because he's so protected) or "weakness" (e.g. avoiding instant gratification for the long term good of one's country). So it's no surprise that MAGA world hates science, and loves feel-good evidence-free claims.
"Republicans could have supported these policies (which many of them did) while trying to guide their voters away from Trumpism (which almost none of them did)."
Although I find the latter despicable, in reality there was almost nothing they could do - and keep their jobs. Because all along, and sadly even now, the VOTERS call the shots. Just a small % fewer voters addicted to their celebrity idol, and Biden would have had an electoral landside, and those spineless cowards and shameless opportunists would have told their "master" that his era was over. And without that protection he would have pouted and slithered back to reality TV and/or more of his scams. This year we voters have another chance to do that. One that could be our last.
"I personally find Trump abhorrent, but I’m going to take a job in his administration as Assistant Deputy XYZ, because if I don’t take it, someone worse will. And by working within the system, I can do more good than if I were locked out on the outside with the Never Trump losers."
Over the last decade, that delusional rationalizing took over an entire political party as every midlevel hack told themselves that they just had to be complicit in Trumpism, because the world so needed them.
JVL, without trying to be too historical or too comparative, I was struck by this obvious point in large measure because, here in Germany, the equivalent SCOTUS just finalized the conviction of a 99 year old woman as a war criminal.
As an 18 year old she became the secretary for the commandant of a concentration camp near Danzig in Poland that killed over 65,000 "undesirables" during WWII. The conviction was for her integral part in the machinery of death that was enabled by her (typing up lists of those to be killed, reports of how it was done, etc), and thousands of other "civil servants" in equally "mundane, daily routine" types of jobs. 90-95% of the personnel at the camp were also "civil servants" who could have declined their jobs, but many of whom affirmatively applied for them, be it out of conviction for "the cause" or the perks or whatever. It has also been historically shown by careful research that a handful of those "detailed" to work as a "civil servant" at that camp either refused or arranged to be transferred, all without any known consequences.
I am not implying that we are (or were) anywhere close to what happened in that camp, just reporting for a friend who occasionally tries to look to the future in light of the past.
Without doubt the best piece you have ever written. Joe Biden will go down as one of the great Presidents, a transformational Presidency, but more important a great man for his service to our country!
I was there Monday night (and had the good sense to pack a few tissues). The only thing that superseded the enormous feeling of warmth for Joe was the massive charge of electricity hit the crowd when we all realized that we weren't seeing yet another film of the life and deeds of Kamela was on the Jumbotron, but that the real-deal in-the-flesh Woman was actually in the building.
Thank you Joe!! You are a true patriot and empathetic human being. We must ensure your legacy by beating trump. Let’s go!!
I love you, JVL, and I think Biden has been a very good President. (As an aside, "greatest living President" is a pretty low bar right now.) I have to respectfully throw a bit of shade, though. I think it was a terrible - irresponsible, even - decision for Biden to have run again at all. Among other reasons, I believe if the Republicans knew in November of 2022 that they would not be facing Joe Biden but rather a much younger, more vital candidate they would very likely not have fallen in line behind Trump, who (deep in his lizard brain) knew that he would fare much better against Biden than against just about anyone else. And, of course, we would not be worried about mobs storming the Capitol or anywhere else on behalf of anyone else. So I'll recognize Biden for his strong performance as President and eventual recognition of the need to step aside, but driving the bus right up to the edge of the cliff and finally putting it in reverse when the front wheels are hanging into the abyss does not get you on my personal Mount Rushmore.
This is an astute and beautifully said piece--the best "take" on Joe Biden's role these last several years and his likely place in history that I have read. I hope that he sees it.
Thank you, JVL, for this. I think that history will indeed show that Biden was an excellent president. The ageist comments will fade away with time. It must have been so hard for him to walk away, but he did it. And I am grateful to him for his leadership, and for his sacrifice.
The thing these fools and their t shirts lauding a dictator ignore is this: a dictator wields absolute power to suit his own aims. You people in the t- shirts don't figure in that plan AT ALL. What did he give you little people last time? NOTHING. And nothing is what you'll get when he is your elected Emperor, ruling to siphon wealth to himself and his even wealthier cronies.
Your Nation is too great a plaything to hand to this greedy, petulant little man- child.
He is. He deserves everything good and I’m sure he will still deliver wisdom whenever he’s called upon.
We have been subjected to the abject cruelty, stupidity, and crassness of Donald Trump for almost a decade. To see Joe Biden, a decent, capable human being pass the torch to another capable, decent human being was beautiful. That took courage, dignity, and generosity of spirit worthy of a president. But Joe Biden did not just pass the torch to Kamala Harris, he passed it to all of us as well. Democracy is not a spectator sport. If we truly want to honor Joe Biden and all he has done for America, It is our obligation as democratic citizens to defeat Donald Trump and his miserable minions with everything we’ve got.