The news media buildup to the State of the Union address this year included a frantic anticipation of what might go wrong in the speech to be offered by President Biden and what we could tell by his words, gestures and, most of all, his demeanor as an 81 year old leader.
His age appeared to take center stage as the commentators talked their way to the presentation at 7 p.m. Colorado time.
What we got was a fiery speech that reviewed the accomplishments of his administration, outlined the plans for the future and threw down the gauntlet against those that would forsake democracy as a cure for personal, social and political grievances. The tone and substance of the speech brought to the forefront elements that had previously been the subjects of major tasks behind the scenes.
To the disappointment of many, the history of much of Biden’s work on international issues such as the revival of NATO, the planning and assistance to Ukraine, the Israeli-HAMAS conflict, the United Nations, Iran, China, India, Russia and domestic agenda policies like the economy, immigration and social justice have been largely done in a low-key fashion.
Critics of this approach seemed to suggest that this may be because the President does not want to be seen in public showing his age and the customary gaffes that point to diminished cognitive ability. The speech appears to have erased some of those concerns.
Irregardless, the presentation also showed determination on the part of a man with extensive political thought and experience to stand strong against the forces of chaos and the loss of our freedom and democracy.
This somewhat reminds me of the story of the Prussian World War I hero, Paul von Hindenburg (1847-1934), President of the German Republic (1925-1934), who stood against Adolf Hitler and his efforts to consolidate power in a weak democracy. He stood his ground until 1933 and died in office a year later at the age of 87.
President Joe Biden is in the unique position of being the national political leader that stands between a constitutional democracy and the foundations of authoritarianism undergirded by racial preference. The accumulation of wisdom gathered by great figures of the past century such as Presidents Franklin Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson and Ronald Reagan is an inspirational well of knowledge that set and led the path to American exceptionalism.
Those that are of the age to have been touched, influenced and truly bought in to the lessons offered by the rapid economic, social and political changes that led our nation to where it is today have a lot to offer in a moment when so many are questioning America’s existence as a beacon of freedom. Leading our country has never been about how old one is, but about the vision and ideas brought to the table.
It just so happens that we are in the middle of major political changes brought on by a new century, a new generational demographic majority and an emerging new covenant between ethnic and racial minorities and the long-standing political power structure in the country. This dynamic period of adjustment is dislocating many people’s feelings of identity and belonging.
Also, It is not surprising that the leadership to meet these challenges is and has been, by in large, provided by an aging post World War II generation that is completing its cycle of leadership.
Age can be expressed as a wealth of knowledge. We need that now.
The views expressed by David Conde are not necessarily the views of laVozColorado. Comments and responses may be directed to news@lavozcolorado.com.
