I’ve been a fan of Joe Biden for over 30 years, going back to his presidential runs in the 1980s. I’ll admit, during last year’s campaign, and even during the Obama VP tenure, I struggled to remember what about him inspired me. Don’t get me wrong, I still found him to be a fine candidate and agreed with him ideologically — but the emotional spark that I felt decades ago just didn’t seem to be there.
I just finished listening to the now official president elect’s speech introducing AG Garland, and it all came rushing back. The speech was impassioned, articulate, honest, thoughtful, and inspiring. He held back nothing in his critique of Trump, but delivered it in a way that clearly elevated it above a partisan hit job. He objectively described the damage Trump has done to the country, with a heartfelt passion that was effective in conveying his personal sadness for the injury Trump has inflicted upon the nation. It was a speech worthy of Obama — worthy of the Joe I used to know.
What’s changed? Perhaps being unencumbered from having to worry about finalizing his election, or negatively affecting the Senate runoffs, Joe can finally speak his mind untrammeled. Maybe it’s due to the deep emotional nerve struck by yesterday’s events.
Whatever it is, I really hope we see the “new” old Joe going forward. I’m particularly happy to see today’s manifestation, where he so skillfully delivered the laundry list of Trump’s wrongdoings as prelude to the introduction of the man who will hopefully try to hold him accountable.