President Joe Biden’s prime-time address Wednesday is designed to tell the nation — and, frankly, the rest of the world — “what lies ahead, and how I will finish the job for the American people.” We all have questions.
Biden’s speech caps a truly wild few weeks in what has become a truly unprecedented election campaign. It all started at the end, following Biden’s disastrous debate performance. (As a reminder, that was less than four weeks ago.) Two weeks after the debate, as Biden’s critics continued to call for an internal reckoning, a would-be assassin climbed onto a Pennsylvania roof and almost killed former President Donald Trump in the middle of an otherwise unremarkable weekend rally. This act of violence was followed by the political earthquake of Biden’s withdrawing from the presidential race and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place at the top of the ticket.
Because it is a formal address, do not expect a speech that dives too heavily in politics.
In between these political earthquakes, Biden hosted a NATO summit, sat for two prime-time interviews and addressed the nation about the attempt on Trump’s life. All to end up in isolation at his Rehoboth Beach home in Delaware to recover from Covid.
Now, we will hear from the president directly again. This is the right move. But because it is a formal address, do not expect a speech that dives too heavily in politics. Here are four things to watch for Wednesday night.
First, this is not a farewell address; it is a “there is still work to be done speech.” While Biden will no doubt highlight some of the many accomplishments of his administration, it is equally important that he present what he still hopes to accomplish. His decision to drop out of the campaign makes him, surprisingly, a lame-duck president. But that should not mean he sits back and wastes the remaining five months of 2024. I would love, for example, to hear him expand on his promise to lower prescription drug costs for all people, not just those on Medicare Part B.
Second, Biden must forcefully push back on the un-American rhetoric being spewed by House Speaker Mike Johnson. Johnson, R-La., has gone on record demanding that Biden resign immediately, claiming that if he “is not fit to run for president, he is not fit to serve as president.” Frankly, it is disgraceful that Johnson would use his platform to even suggest that Biden is not fit for office at such a critical time. To undermine the American commander in chief when it has become clear that he is not running for re-election is dangerous, irresponsible and mean.
Despite what can feel like overwhelming partisanship and rhetoric, the democracy that he has spent the last 3½ years defending is strong enough to survive and prosper.
Up until this point, Biden has emphasized his work on foreign policy. This should continue, as there remains an incredible amount of good work to be done by one of the world’s most respected elder statesmen. Hopefully Biden will be able to secure more funding for Ukraine and Taiwan, two countries that Trump may turn his back on if he wins in November.
Last, it is important that Biden works to reassure the country that despite what can feel like overwhelming partisanship and rhetoric, the democracy that he has spent the last 3½ years defending is strong enough to survive and prosper. And that he will continue working to defend and bolster its foundations for as long as he possibly can.
Biden has been called our country’s consoler in chief, and after the last month, we could really use some reassurance.