Joe Biden: a UK perspective by Ann Smith.

 

I start with an admission:  my knowledge about the newly elected US President Joe Biden was zero until the Democratic debates began some months ago.

 Then, encouraged by my partner Donovan, I became interested in the candidates spouting forth enthusiastically during the summer of 2020, competing for the position of leader of the US Democratic Party. We had our favourites: mine being Pete Buttigieg and Donovan's preference was for Kamilla Harris and Amy Klobuchar.  Throughout those months I profess I had little interest in Joe Biden, like so many non US viewers I disregarded him, judging him predominantly by his age.  Why, I asked, would anyone vote for him: so old, often a little indecisive and occasionally fluffing his speeches.

 So now I eat my words. Could Biden be the solution to so many of our woes today?  He is certainly a warm and empathetic character in contrast to the vile, narcissistic Donald Trump. 

My visceral response to Biden's win is one of a positive future - his history is evidence of a more modest and intelligent world encompassing political position.    It is anticipated that his administration will put a much greater focus on international diplomacy in contrast with the Trump White House’s “America First” agenda. This is certainly encouraging; in a 21st century world it is essential for politicians to recognise that their country - even superpowers such as the US - is a mere cog in a very big, constantly moving wheel.

Here are some snippets about Joe Biden that I really like - collected from a fine article,  55 Things You Need to Know About Joe Biden, by Zack Stanton and Jordan Miller.

 

·         In 1987, he ran for president for the first time. He quit the race after it was revealed he incorporated into a speech of his parts of a speech by British Labour Party leader Neil Kinnock—falsely referring to ancestors of his who worked in the coal mines.

·         Just a few weeks after Biden won his Senate seat, a tractor-trailer carrying corncobs struck the family’s station wagon as his wife and three children were driving home from picking up a Christmas tree. Neilia and their 13-month-old daughter, Naomi, died before they reached the hospital. His two young sons, Beau and Hunter, were hospitalized with serious injuries.

·         Biden’s oldest son, Beau, died of brain cancer in 2015.

·         He claimed that he received racist phone calls over his support for public housing during his 1970 campaign for New Castle County Council. “The first time the phone rang and someone said, ‘You n----- lover, you want them living next to you?’ I was shocked. I said, ‘If you’re the alternative, I guess the answer is yes.’”

·         He voted for the Iraq War in 2002, and was present at the White House when then-President George W. Bush signed the resolution authorizing the use of force against Iraq. Biden has since called the vote a “mistake.”

Of course, there is much more to Joe Biden than described in this article, but its worth reading. Biden is a man who has lived a life and faced truly horrific personal tragedies.

Most importantly, for us in the UK, will be the developing relationship between Biden and our blonde tousle-haired Conservative leader Boris Johnson. Superficially they present a stark contrast: Biden is slick, slim and a strong family man where-as Johnson is often dishevelled, a little overweight and known for his flirtations and marital affairs.  Presently, Biden has been married to his second wife for 43 years and Johnson lives with his partner of 2 years, Carrie, who is 24 years his junior. Both have produced reasonable broods of children:  Bidens appear supportive and loving but Johnson has adult children who have rejected him. Recently it was reported that his daughter Lara, on discovering his relationship with Carrie, told friends he was a ‘selfish b*****d’ and his children are said to have been supporting Johnson's ex-wife through the divorce. 

Intuitively, I suspect they are both men who are congenial;  both present as empathetic and able to interact with men and women from all backgrounds.  Johnson is certainly popular in the UK, having been a tv presenter and general media humorist, usually forgiven following some pretty daft public gaffes. I see Biden as the grandfather that you always wanted - quiet, softly spoken, wise and kind.  It is reasonable to suggest they could become very good friends. It is widely reported that Boris Johnson was the first of the European leaders to congratulate Biden on his Presidential win.  This bodes well for the burgeoning relationship between the US and the UK in these tumultuous times. Also reported is their shared love for their personal rescue dogs - as  recent novice dog-owner I can vouch that this might contribute in no little way to a positive relationship.

Of course, friends can fall out politically.  This is the contentious debate that is of interest to all of us now.  What do Biden and Johnson have in common and what will the benefits be to both of them in terms of a strong political alliance?  I recall a certain indifference from Barack Obama to the UK during his presidency and we were certainly upset and perplexed by this.  How could Obama reject us wonderful Britons?  It has been reported that the issues of BREXIT and The Good Friday Agreement are those that could provoke disagreement between Biden and Johnson.  Well, BREXIT has been decided and the Irish problem is one that might prove interesting if Biden feels strongly about it (his Irish heritage has been quoted as pertinent here).

I am increasingly warming to Joe Biden though; his acceptance speech of 7th November 2020 contrasts so positively with the vicious tirades that too often spurted from Trump's mouth.  His speech returned frequently to the theme of healing and wholeness.  His use of commoratio was effective:

. . . to everything there is a season – a time to build, a time to reap, a time to sow. And a time to heal. This is the time to heal in America.

 I pledge to be a president who seeks not to divide, but to unify. 

 I sought this office to restore the soul of America.

To rebuild the backbone of the nation.

. . . we must stop treating our opponents as our enemy. We are not enemies. We are Americans.

Americans have called on us to marshal the forces of decency and the forces of fairness . . . The battle to restore decency, defend democracy and give everybody in this country a fair shot.

. . . we can decide to cooperate

We must restore the soul of America.

and ending with:

A nation united. A nation strengthened. A nation healed. The United States of America.

This is a feel-good speech, one to warm the cockles of your heart (as we in the UK say) with the inclusion of verbs such as heal, unify, rebuild, restore (repeated several times) and cooperate. A speech that includes words and phrases to encourage, bring together and attempt to heal a world that is presently damaged and ill in so many ways.

I am certainly ashamed about my initial responses to Joe Biden.  We continue to learn and develop and I have great hope that grandpa Biden will bring much more than political change to America: he will bring warmth, empathy and cohesion to our world and will dispense with the divisive tropes stamped by his predecessor, the appalling Donald Trump.

Ann Smith is a British Educator and Social Activist. Kingstommouth.com is a charitable organization that has been in existence for over eight years with an interest in Politics, Human Rights, and International Development Issues. Readers wishing to comment on this article may do so at the space provided on this blog. Alternatively, they can contact us at kingstonmouth 63@ gmail.com or on our twitter or Facebook Page.