Second impressions

It’s not often that you get a second chance to make a first impression; perhaps no more so than in politics. But with his speech commemorating the 1/6/21 insurrection at the Capitol, Joe Biden reintroduced himself as president to America.

Although there is disagreement about whether Biden’s current policy agenda comports with his moderate tone and aspirations enunciated during the 2020 campaign, that is of lesser concern now that he has taken a more strident tone with regard to one vital issue: the threat that his 2020 opponent, and cult-like party he leads, pose to the very existence of our democracy.

“I will stand in this breach,” he said. “I will defend this nation and allow no one to place a dagger at the throat of democracy.”

One of the cliched lessons of politics is that if your proposals don’t seem popular, promote them vigorously and enthusiastically. Some feel that Biden’s far-reaching agenda is too ambitious or too far left for the country. That’s not the case, as virtually everything Biden is proposing is very popular, even among voters of the other party. But if he presents that agenda with the vigor he showed yesterday, it’s sure to be received enthusiastically by the American electorate. His conviction, delivered authentically and passionately, will show through and connect with the American people.

Only time will tell if it’s in time to affect the 2022 election outcome. There is no time to wait.