Thank you, Joe Biden
Biden’s presidency has transformed our politics and our nation, both for the better. I'm certain that history will look back in awe at his accomplishments.
I’m heading to the Democratic Convention tonight, along with thousands of others, to thank Joe Biden. It’s hard to see in real time all the good a president has done, but I’m certain that history will look back in awe at Biden’s accomplishments.
Biden’s presidency has transformed our politics and our nation, both for the better. He ended the pandemic, cut inflation, lowered medical costs, created millions of new jobs, revitalized American manufacturing, launched a once-in a generation rebuild of our infrastructure, strengthened our alliances, stood up to Russian aggression, and kept the most dangerous regional wars from expanding into global catastrophes. If a Republican did any one of these things, they would be calling for a Nobel Prize, renaming airports to honor their guy, and signing contracts to add his face to Mount Rushmore.
Joe Biden did things that were hard and did not shy away when America’s powerful right wing spent billions trying to stop him. Among the many examples are these: He fought to protect reproductive rights. He was the first president in fifty years to strengthen unions and take on corporate power. He protected marriage for LGBTQ and interracial couples. He put Ketanji Brown Jackson on the Supreme Court and nominated qualified jurists from all backgrounds to the federal bench. He signed meaningful gun violence reduction legislation. He delivered a stunning climate and environmental justice agenda.
His work is changing America for the better. First, he broke with fifty years of trickle-down economics that tilted our economy towards the wealthiest amongst us. Because of his presidency, his faith in America’s middle class, it is now possible to make policy choices that favor American workers in ways that have been politically impossible since the 1980s. Second, despite overseeing the largest fossil fuel production in American history, Biden’s policies actually pointed us towards the day when fossil fuels no longer drive the economy. On his watch, investments in green energy technology exploded, and the economic, technological, and political pathways to climate friendly future were laid. Third, by making sure his administration and his judicial appointments reflected the true diversity of America, he taught millions to really see each other for the first time.
His international leadership was superb, though deeply misunderstood by those on the left who blamed him for the terrible disaster in Gaza and those on the right who blamed him for shoring up Ukraine. In fact, Biden used his skills and experience to strengthen America throughout the world- building new alliances in Asia and rebuilding old ones in Europe. During his tenure, Americans ignored the war in Sudan, despite its horrors. But not President Biden. He organized the international effort to attempt to bring it to a close. No one has worked harder to make sure foreign wars don’t become American wars, and no one has worked harder for peace consistent with American values and American interests. Only his skills as an international negotiator and his character as a trusted partner finally brought home many of the Americans held captive by Vladimir Putin. America is safer, stronger, and more respected because of Biden’s leadership.
Biden’s presidency came at a time of peril for American democracy. His predecessor attempted to invalidate an election and hold on to power. Nothing like that had ever happened here. Biden used his bully pulpit to teach Americans about the threats to our democracy. He went out of his way to assure the independence of the Department of Justice. He spoke often of his respect for the institutions of our democracy that his predecessor had done so much to tear down.
Biden’s presidency was a transformation for young Americans. They grew up hearing his predecessor talk about American carnage. They heard him divide us and say that some Americans were destroying our nation. Then the pandemic sent them home from their schools. When they grew up and entered the workforce, many were told to work from home. They doubted that their America was the optimistic, energetic, and generous country their parents knew. Then Joe Biden proved them wrong.
By declining to take the nomination he had won, Biden showed America that it was possible to love our country more than yourself, to be part of something bigger than yourself. And in that moment, he not only gave young Americans new hope, he made space for our future.
Saying Joe Biden has done a great job is not the same as saying America has overcome its challenges. No President solves every problem we face, and Biden is the first to remind us that there is still work to do. Not coincidentally, one of the earliest presidential decisions he made was to ask Kamala Harris to be Vice President. When he said she was ready on day one, it was an investment in our future and a recognition that having a female President is not just historic, but also long overdue.
So, I’m off to the Convention and will cheer loudly to let a great President and a decent human being know how grateful I am.