Was Biden’s tough speech a good thing?

Question

Seems like things are turning for Dems. Obama’s made appearances. Polls are on our side. I’ve always thought we’ve needed to get tougher.

nightdrot · Accepted Answer

Not sure what "a good thing" means. However, the speech, in the short term, was probably less beneficial than the question suggests and in the long run is indicative of a serious problem in American politics that may store up even more serious consequences in the future.

In the short term, there is actually very little evidence that the speech had much of an impact. As a recent New York Times story pointed out - (https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/12/upshot/polling-midterms-warning.html) - the polls are probably, at this stage, not all that accurate.

Suffice to say that early polls are not terribly reliable and there is little to suggest that Mr. Biden's speech made much difference. Indeed, if anything, the speech may more likely have driven each side more deeply into its own camp.

The interesting part of this being that in giving this speech, Mr. Biden is aping much of the conduct he deplores in Mr. Trump. Indeed, the truth is that both men are quite similar. They pursue a populist politics that is designed less to shape policy and forward an agenda that to agitate and to satisfy the sense of grievance in their respective constituencies. Albeit that while Mr. Trump tends to the bombastic, Mr. Biden tends more to the peevish.

In the end, however, for all their alleged differences, the truth is that Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden are actually more alike than not. This suggesting a serious problem in the political culture.

Specifically that the shaping of an enduring consensus for a forward looking agenda is becoming all but impossible. The language employed by each side alienates the other side and thus consensus is all but impossible.

This is in stark contrast to the two most successful presidencies of the 20th century - Franklin Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan. While both men pursued an agenda that was highly controversial, they were able to shape an enduring consensus by modulating their characterization of the other side. FDR doing this by what might be called his "aristocratic informality" - see also the "fireside chats" and Reagan by humor and appeals to patriotism.

In the end, this allowed both men to forge a consensus on behalf of their agendas that endured well beyond their presidencies. FDR's lasting until the Carter presidency - see also Nixon's "we're all Keynesians now" - and Reagan's, ironically, until the Trump presidency - see also Bill Clinton's "the era of big government is over." Suffice to say, neither Mr. Trump nor Mr. Biden has articulated a coherent agenda let alone facilitated the formation of an enduring consensus on behalf of that agenda.

This, however, is even more dangerous than it looks. The technology of the FDR and Reagan eras tended to cause people, whatever their differences, to view the world through the same prism. Movies, radio, television, All of them were mass media that audiences tended to experience in the same way. Yet the new technologies - Internet, social media, etc. - allow audiences to find messages congenial to their own particular viewpoints, thus making the shaping of a common cultural agenda all but impossible.

Suffice to say, the splintering impact of such media holds the potential for much conflict, and it is to be deeply regretted that the likes of Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden reinforce this cultural dilution and are symptomatic of it. The net result being that their policy victories are apt to prove, if they happen at all, ephemeral. Their long term impact, at the same time, highly destructive to the nation's stability and cultural harmony.

lightbulb27 · Accepted Answer

Gee... what's the point of that speech? Some of it was ok, there was a riot and we don't want that again. It's good if you are a democrat and irrelevant if you aren't. Good, who knows. They absolutely do not want Trump winning again... end of story, all efforts are being made to prevent that possibility.

A small group of people challenged the election violently because... well... they are right wing nut jobs. it was probably thrown by Dems ballot stuffing, but it wasn't proven in court by Trumps team... end of story. They shouldn't have rioted, but that was.001% of who voted for Trump. Put them in jail and beat them. Most people were smart enough to stay home... and are still MAGA hat wearing people. I still remember how some of those people I know were threatened, denied service... for wearing a MAGA hat! Tolerant left... nope! And if Trump wins, they will riot, attack, destroy like never before.

The rest of it is political grandstanding of no merit, making the other guys bad and him good. Why isn't SNL spoofing this guy... oh yea...

Going forward to the future... like California... lol.

Goforit1010 · Answer

When you claim you're going to unite the country during the inauguration speech, then that VERY day sign over 30 Executive Orders that kill American jobs, abandon the security of its citizens by allowing unlimited entry into the country by foreigners, and then every action you do purposely injures the country, YOU sir, are the TERRORIST.

Then, 20 months later, Biden proceeds to call roughly half the country TERRORISTS just because they disagree with his policies, while at the same time claims he's uniting the country. He's so full of shit his eyes are now brown. Using the US military as a backdrop for that political speech is also illegal. He and his handlers KNOW this. Then the next day he claims he wasn't calling people TERRORISTS!

What's worse, is Biden followed up that speech with another similar one just a couple days later. He's not uniting the country, he's trying to incite violence. He's far and away the ABSOLUTE WORST president in America's history!

goaded · Answer

Hell, yes! It finally needed to be said by someone who might (despite the efforts of Fox and even CNN and Politico, now their ownerships have changed) be heard.

Not accepting the results of elections is fascist. Stealing government documents is illegal. Taking credit for bills you voted against is immoral.

Avicenna · Answer

Hitler would have been proud of Joe's hateful, arrogant and dishonest speech. Anyone who cheers it is a disgrace.

exitseven · Answer

Biden is not only senile but he is absolutely unhinged. i bet he practices in front of a mirror.

Anonymous · Answer

The sppech was crap like most things Biden says.

TroyDT · Answer

Really? Every poll I've seen suggests his speech turned off independents.

Anonymous · Answer

We need to get tougher... by calling half of the country fascistic terrorists on par with Al-Qaeda.  🙄

Anonymous · Answer

No the man doesn't know what he's doing he's a bumbling idiot. He's not able to stay awake and his staff meetings.

Ad_Quid_Orator · Answer

Finally someone called out the MAGA movement for what it is.

Fuentes · Answer

Is this a joke !!! HAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA!!! TRUMP 2024 I can't wait for all you Liberals Air screams !

888theGreat · Answer

The one where he threatened half of Americans?

jongreat46 · Answer

Notice how it mostly lonely white incels who voted no, typical losers who can't get laid.

Hispanic-Cool-Guy · Answer

Biden doesn't project strength to me at all no matter how high he tries to raise his voice.

dustybiker · Answer

‘Bout bloody time.

Jerre · Answer

Everything Biden says is bullshit!

Anonymous · Answer

Nothing that the illegitimate Biden says is a good thing

Dazed0N0Confused · Answer

ABSOLUTELY!

msc545 · Answer

Yes!

Was Biden’s tough speech a good thing?

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