I spend my fair share of time reading about presidents. I enjoy digging up the definitive biographies because the good ones, as much as anything, become about the times, and the people around the man. And somewhere in all of that you find a few repeating themes. One of them is that a lot of things are just frustratingly beyond the control of the White House, no matter what they’d have you believe. This means, of course, that presidents generally take a bit more credit than they deserve for larger national events, and they receive a bit more blame than they deserve for them, too. Another theme that repeats is that the good ones know who they’re speaking to: simultaneously their constituency and history.
There’s another theme we cling to a lot, as Americans, and it shows up in those not-exactly-hagiographies. It’s a part of the American myth that’s not universal, nor transferrable across time or issues. It’s one part of our American optimism this notion that, sometimes, a man meets the times.
I was thinking of that when I was watching this speech today. It’s not perfect, and heaven knows people will disagree on things big and small. But if there’s anyone on the national stage that can speak credibly about empathy, this president is one of those men.
It’s a man who understands his moment. Whether it moves the needle, or even just loosens the screw that’s holding the needle down, remains to be seen, of course. But it’s clear, particularly in the ninth minute and sprinkled throughout, that the president’s writing team knows their man’s strengths.
(The other idea that keeps recurring is that none of them are as good as you thought. A few of them are as tough as you’d imagine. One or two are even bold. Most just really want to hold serve, and try to do well by people. And then there’s Andrew Johnson … )
Meantime … the local mask advice that will be listened to, or dismissed, according to each and their own.
First mention of this I saw was from @iustv alumna @EmilionMiles who is producing and running social media for @FortWaynesNBC. First story was from @iustv alumna @SierraHigniteTV from @WISH_TV.@iustv people … https://t.co/eVTDhhS5k7 pic.twitter.com/0S5m2rFrXn
— Kenny Smith (@kennysmith) July 30, 2021
Have a safe weekend, and be kind to one another.
