On his social media platform last week, Donald Trump provoked Joe Biden regarding his farewell participation at the Monday evening Democratic National Convention. Trump commented, derisively, on Biden’s position, referring to his growing resentment towards Obama and Nancy Pelosi, even surpassing his animosity towards Trump himself. The little respect remaining between Trump and Biden was all but shattered, with Trump’s refusal to show any semblance of courtesy towards the President, most evident after Biden’s consolatory phone call to Trump in the wake of an attempted assassination.
History is likely to note that Biden managed to outdo Trump on two occasions – first by actively contesting against him and then by abstaining from doing so. The abysmal performance by Biden in the late June CNN debate had triggered despondency within the Democratic camp, replacing the previous sense of dread that most Americans had at the thought of a presidential rematch. However, following Biden’s exit from the electoral race, Kamala Harris has rejuvenated the Democratic campaign, leading to alarm bells ringing within the Republican camp, a marked contrast from their superior position in the July polls.
Biden, once the face of Democratic party, finds himself in a peculiar and somewhat uncanny situation at this convention. The decision to let him be the centre of attention on Monday night at United Centre appears reasonable under the circumstances. Compelled by both trusted advisors and unfavourable poll results, Biden had bowed out of the race, during a weekend at his summer residence in Rehoboth beach whilst still recovering from Covid. The stage he would be gracing ironically would give him a reception akin to the enthusiastic one Trump relished at the Republican convention, just days after a failed assassination attempt.
Biden’s respect and ardour, though politically constrained, is real. National attention will be focused on Biden as he represents a dying breed of politician, having served since the tumultuous Nixon era. His political journey has been marked by a commendable resilience and a knack for bi-partisan legislative negotiations. The narrative of Biden’s life – from the tragic losses of his first wife Neilia and young daughter Naomi in a 1973 car accident, to the death of his son Beau from cancer in 2015, culminating in his victorious presidential election in the later years of his political career – is nothing short of epic. Regardless of how he chooses to share his story at the Chicago event, the audience will embrace him.
Additionally, the sense of affection for Biden may be intensified by his impending departure, a fact that, despite the mockery from Donald Trump, contains an element of truth, as it would no doubt be a cause of hurt for Biden being a human being.
Dr Jill Biden, the First Lady, will address the audience before Biden himself does. The gathering will include old friends and political supporters. The event’s imagery will be unmistakably linked to Biden, displaying his preferred sayings such as “Spread the faith” and “History is in your hands”. Interestingly though, Biden will experience this partisan event, in a sense, as a bystander. After speaking in Chicago, Biden will escape to California for a brief interlude. Regardless of these changes, Biden hasn’t lost his political sharpness and is focused on concluding his administration effectively. Key action items include restoring peace following Israel’s attack on Gaza and promoting further economic reforms.
On a Thursday in Maryland’s suburbs, he stood in front of the crowd once more, presented by Kamala Harris. He was there to discuss how he had managed to drastically overhaul the base cost of prescription medicines. Though he seemed more robust now than he did in the early summer, there were moments that reminded us that his voice is now often no more than a whisper.
Biden remains a lifelong political enthusiast. No one will be more thrilled at the idea of Kamala Harris taking up the presidential helm in Chicago than him. Aiding his party’s success in this election will only further enhance his reputation. He will keep his genuine emotions to himself, hiding his deep-seated confusion and emotional pain following the lack of faith displayed by Barack Obama, Charles Schumer, and especially Nancy Pelosi. Even this seasoned political player was stunned at the ruthless intensity of the game.
As the detailed chronicle of this era is penned down, the central player will undoubtedly be Pelosi, acting as the strong-minded moral compass of the party. In an intriguing interview with David Remnick of The New Yorker, she shared a truth that Biden is acutely aware of – the harsh and damaging reality of politics at the elite level. She succinctly stated that it’s a harsh industry and one has to be ready to take and give a punch, all in the name of ‘the children’.
During the interview, she recalled a prayer pinned to the wall by a Sierra Leonean preacher. It tells of someone standing before their creator, being asked to reveal their wounds.
“And if I have no wounds, he will say: was nothing worth fighting for?” Pelosi quoted, in a voice that remains distinctively resonant even at the age of 84.
Her message was clear: “one should take pride in their battle scars.”