The Value of a Consoler-in-Chief

[peggysue2]

The Hill has an Op-Ed up today that clearly explains the reason Joe Biden is a favored candidate, particularly in light of the events in El Paso and Dayton. Excerpt below:

For all his faults, Biden has two great strengths. He has plenty of experience, which is important but not valued in this cycle. He also exudes empathy, which is in great demand because so many Americans are in such great pain.

The nation is so polarized and, in such anguish, that Biden's ability to relate to people is a great asset. Many Americans value Biden as the only candidate in the race who has the personal feel to comfort Americans and bring them together again.

People will need an empathetic president because it will take years to heal the divisions facing the United States after four years of Trump. A Consoler in Chief like Biden is the perfect antidote to a Divider in Chief like Trump. After tragedies like the mass murders in El Paso and Dayton, Biden can go on national TV and begin the healing process; something Trump can't or won't do.



The writer refers to Biden's speech last week that was on-point and impacted a large number of Americans, even Joe's critics. The piece also underscores the report from Iowa describing Biden's unique ability of connecting with people, offering the comfort that he's so well known for and the positive response ordinary people have to that empathetic interaction. With Trump squatting in the White House, we've forgotten what solace and comfort looks like. Joe Biden offers a strong reminder, an antidote to the hate.

Good on on Joe!

https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/457027-consoler-in-chief-like-biden-is-the-perfect-antidote-to-a-divider-in-chief

[highplainsdem]

1. K&R! Thanks for posting this! And yes, Biden IS the perfect antidote to Trump.

[peggysue2]

6. Thanks, highplainsdem!

Biden is the perfect antidote.

[Turbineguy]

2. I think it's bizarre

to expect trump to console people in shoot-ups he caused. Why would he do that?

[peggysue2]

7. Don't think many expect Trump to take on the role

At this point in time most understand that Donald Trump would not and could not offer consolation. It's simply not in the man or any other malignant narcissist.

But the doesn't stop the genuine yearning from a weary, traumatized public.

[Sherman A1]

3. I liked this presentation

Start at about the 8 minute mark if you don't want to do the entire 20 minutes.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1287235063

[peggysue2]

9. Yeah, I think Yang's a good guy

And his emotions appear absolutely genuine in the clip. I suspect one of the hardest parts of being a candidate is listening to these tragic stories because there are so many. You include children in the mix and it would be doubly hard.

Unless you're Donald Trump, of course. Turning a tragic event into a photo-op, grinning, thumbs up while your wife holds the baby of two slaughtered parents. That takes the cake for despicable reactions.

[Autumn]

4. I have no interest in voting for someone to console me. I would rather vote for

someone who plans to stop all these ugly things. If I need consoling I have family and friends for that.

[peggysue2]

5. Your opinion, not mine or the majority of Americans

As the piece points out, consoling the Nation in moments of crisis and grief is part of POTUS's role. Traditionally speaking, that is. Bill Clinton was a master at this sort of thing. But even Reagan and GW managed to bring Americans together after national catastrophes and tragedies. It's the human part of the President's role. Something Trump is simply incapable of doing.

[Autumn]

8. Yes it is an opinion. Mine, just as yours is an opinion. I think your "the majority of Americans"

part is quite the stretch. Consoling the nation in moments of crisis and grief is not a sound basis to elect a president. Trump will be gone, a Democratic president will work on sound policy preventing national catastrophes and tragedies.

[peggysue2]

10. I never said it was the only grounds for electing a president

But it is an important, expected function. And regardless of what policies we put into place, there will always be natural catastrophe and personal tragedy. We can certainly reduce the number but we cannot eliminate them altogether. When those incidents happen on a national scale, the public yearns for reassurance which is quite evident with the blowback we've witnessed after El Paso and Dayton.

[Gothmog]

11. This is one of Biden's best speeches on grief

Link to tweet

[Tarheel_Dem]

12. Good article. n/t

[Cha]

13. Love the postitive reviews on

Joe Biden.. Mahalo, Peggysue!

[Gothmog]

14. We need a POTUS who has compassion and empathy

[Cha]

15. Yes! With executive experience

and Joe Biden's knowledge and qualifications!:candle

[peggysue2]

16. Back at you, Cha!

The ability to comfort and empathize is definitely a Biden strength. Add his hands-on experience, the knowledge gathered over years and Biden is the most accomplished candidate with a proven skillset. Joe Biden will hit the ground running on Day 1.