Purpose: American people saved a man going through multiple tragedies, life threatening aneurysms, a disabling stammer. Now he’s their president.

[Pet]

Biden has been through a lot of personal tragedies. I wouldn't have faulted him for leaving the political scene and never coming back.

How much is him coming back due to ego? How much of it is him feeling that he's called to serve our country? How much of it is a (necessary) arrogance in believing he is qualified to do so? It's not a negative thing-- every elected politician we have, from centrists to progressive candidates, all must have eventually come to the conclusion they are qualified and able to lead and to participate and to represent.

I hope he's kind and sincere. I've never gotten the impression that he was not. I know many people who have ignorant or bigoted views, but are genuinely warm, compassionate, and loving people. I know many progressives that say and think all the right things, but are negative, cynical, rude, and unloving. Honestly, I prefer the former over the latter. Obviously, the ideal person would be... well, ideal, but no one is perfect.

It is a *little* alarming so many Americans vote based on who they'd like to have a beer with. Personally, I love policy wonks (like Clinton or Warren) and don't need them to be particularly warm or charismatic. That's not their job, to be my friend. Their job is to be a leader, and sometimes to be a leader you have to make hard decisions and decide who gets sacrificed for what. It's inevitable.

It's sad because you'd think it'd be such a low bar to clear. Apparently it isn't.

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Given that 80% of ERA would fail, I'd agree it is.

 

[CountAntonio]

Empathy matters especially when someone wields tremendous power. Thanks for the thread OP and don't let the devolution of the thread make you feel any less for posting it.

 

[balb]

The Biden personal redemption story falls apart quickly when you look at his record of heavily expanding our prison population. If he's not willing to help others get the benefit of the doubt that he got, then I don't care.

 

[Zaheer]

Not everyone lives in a Disney movie.
As if US-Americans didn't already put people on a pedestal enough.

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This. Shit is embarrassing as fuck.

 

[Spinluck]

I have no problem with humanizing politicians.

They're just people after all. I knew about President Biden's story and can relate on some level to his thoughts on suicide.

But Biden to me will still be among those that signed off on the Iraq War and the Crime Bill to name a couple of things.

What followed those acts to me was inhumane and injust. Of course he's better than Trump but we should probably press the brakes.

 

[the-pi-guy]

Is it more important than how he is going to address things like systemic racism or healthcare?

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It's important because its the underlying motivation for how he is going to address those things.
At the end of the day, what matters most will be how he addresses those issues.
At the start of the day though, it is important to know what frame of mind he is going to have to address those issues.

 

[Culex]

Judge them on their actions and their life. Biden had some VERY questionable decisions in the past, but you cannot question his devotion to the USA.

His personal tragedies have absolutely shaped him to this point. You may not like him, that's OK! No one is perfect. He's made some terrible decisions. But no one is in a better position politically than Biden. Given our current worldwide virus crisis, Biden personally tasting family loss goes a LONG way for him to help make our lives better.

 

[Richiek]

The Biden personal redemption story falls apart quickly when you look at his record of heavily expanding our prison population. If he's not willing to help others get the benefit of the doubt that he got, then I don't care.

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But Biden to me will still be among those that signed off on the Iraq War and the Crime Bill to name a couple of things.

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You know that Bernie Sanders signed off on 94 Crime Bill too, right?

 

[Foffy]

What I got from a PBS documentary on the 2020 candidates was that Biden originally wanted to ape himself into an image of politicians he liked, to have bravado, but only really ever had an identity when he was just himself, and that is a man who faced immense sorrows and difficulties. I have compassion for his suffering and troubles in life. But at the same time, and I worry some posts in this thread are doing this, is they're trying to make a President like a friend. We've done this with Obama, and in doing so we don't really hold them to their mistakes as they do them. People have only soured on Obama's injustices after he left office. How many think Obama was "great" despite his awful fucking approach to Flint?

Biden still remains, on a policy front, one of the worst choices we had this election cycle. His campaign to court the white moderate conservative voter appears to have backfired, with the youth and progressive wing doing the work. What has to be done knowing this is to push him to act on issues, and this time, to not be wrong when it matters to be right. The only freebie he can earn here is having to deal with GOP obstructionism.

You can understand he has been through a lot but also demand much more from him. Kid gloves gotta come off once Trump's out of the building, we don't have the time to meander.

 

[antonz]

Empathy and Compassion are among some of the most important aspects of character especially for people who have so much power. We have gone through 4 years of a President who had no compassion or ability to show empathy for anyone except himself.

Biden is not perfect. Not one of us on this Earth are but America and the world will be far better off with Biden in the White House. The World has changed alot over the last 48 years and Biden has certainly changed over that timespan as well. He has admitted he screwed up on past votes and we just have to keep pushing forward now to try and ensure a future where another Donald Trump does not happen

 

[Tigress]

Is it more important than how he is going to address things like systemic racism or healthcare?

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For his position, yes. He is there to lead people and get them going in the direction they need to be. He addresses healthcare and racism by getting the right people on the job for it and getting the senate on board and getting people behind it. For all that, his character matters and how he is able to actually lead people and get them to do things. How to get people to be nicer to each other he needs good cahracter and empathy for. You can't address racism if you are unempathetic.

He is only one part of our government. And for his position, character really does matter. His whole job is to lead people and you have to have the right character to do that.

 

[disparate]

Is it more important than how he is going to address things like systemic racism or healthcare?

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It is at least as important, sure.

 

[ItIsOkBro]

What we need is someone to fix this country, who cares if they're empathetic or sociopathic! Wait, that's dumb statement.

 

[Sacul64]

we know how he adressed it. he did it during 8 years of obama. and yes its important. look at fucking trump.

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We got him elected not being trump is no longer good enough. I'm not going to deify him. I want him to defund/demilitarize the police with better training in community policing. Better health care. And for God sakes fix the goddamn water in flint that he and Obama ignored for two years. That Obama pretended to drink in front of people that thought he would help him.

 

[platocplx]

Empathy matters especially when someone wields tremendous power. Thanks for the thread OP and don't let the devolution of the thread make you feel any less for posting it.

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Agreed. People aren't really telling us things we don't know, the same time its good to know there is someone that at least doesn't see human relationships as transactional.

 

[Spinluck]

You know that Bernie Sanders signed off on 94 Crime Bill too, right?

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This is a somewhat disingenuous take.

That Bill contained the "Violence Against Women Act" which is the main reason Bernie signed off on it.

I suggest you actually look up some of the scathing things Biden said at the time. And unlike Bernie he's never ACTUALLY come clean about any of it. I'm glad Joe won, but I reserve my right to feel the way I do about my differences with him and every other establishment Dem.

 

[Deleted member 43]

This is a somewhat disingenuous take.

That Bill contained the "Violence Against Women Act" which is the main reason Bernie signed off on it.

I suggest you actually look up some of the scathing things Biden said at the time. And unlike Bernie he's never ACTUALLY come clean about any of it.

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You mean, the part Biden wrote?

 

[thediamondage]

he's not an exciting person but he's a reliable person, which is like the norm for Presidents up until 1992. Its cool to return to those times when the President is someone you admire and trust, but not necessarily want to go on a 48 hour Vegas bender with.

 

[Link]

Damn. Thread went downhill fast.

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You can't be surprised. I agree with your OP, btw.

 

[Spinluck]

You mean, the part Biden wrote?

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Yes, it was a non racist part of the bill.

 

[Deleted member 43]

Yes, it was a non racist part of the bill.

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...umm, but in that case why doesn't Biden get that same consideration you are giving Bernie?

 

[Raccoon]

You know, I don't even disagree with that. Certainly, it will be a relief that we can expect to wake up and not have to worry about Biden denigrating vulnerable people. That's great. I'm not saying it's unimportant.

But his actual policy actions is what is paramount. He cannot let republicans stop him from solving multiple crisis that we are in. We need to be looking forward to that above all.

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of course policy is most important but character precedes it

 

[Sacul64]

I agree with Veelk, but I will also say that this year has taken quite a toll and realize that people are not ready to hear this right now. So I personally have elected not to push too hard when it comes to criticizing Biden or the pedestal people are building for him.

That said, come January 20 the knives come out:



Yup.

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Much like how I dont feel like being nice to trumpists now, I also wont forget the centralists here telling us on the left to shut up and vote Biden. They have spent no time blaming a poor showing on BLM and De-fund the police and AoC and the Squad, so staying silent while they spin that narrative wont help us. They needed us to win so they dont get to forget us.

 

[Raccoon]

having caught up with this thread, the fact that multiple posters berated a dude for sharing personal experience on a goddamn internet forum is such a bummer

demanding someone with firsthand professional knowledge drop a link to a study as if anyone on this site reads anything past the title

it's a very frustrating series of posts to read

 

[Deleted member 83122]

having caught up with this thread, the fact that multiple posters berated a dude for sharing personal experience on a goddamn internet forum is such a bummer

demanding someone with firsthand professional knowledge drop a link to a study as if anyone on this site reads anything past the title

it's a very frustrating series of posts to read

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Yeah I kind of dig Matt's experiences, and I appreciate his unique insight. Its sad that it got kinda buried.

 

[RussTC3]

A person's character informs us immensely of who they are.

In this case, how they would govern. It's massively important. To deride those who notice it and call it out as important is missing the point.

 

[Grim]

I don't think he's suggesting your opinion isn't worth sharing so much as that you sharing personal impressions of the man doesn't really add anything. Like you could probably find a few strangers on the internet who would genuinely share positive personal impressions of working with Trump. The thing is that your personal experiences aren't something that can really be discussed because literally the only person here who knows what those experiences are and can weigh in on them with any degree of validity is you. It's inherently impossible for them to really discuss because they don't know you and they weren't there so they literally can't contribute any meaningful discussion on those thoughts

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You're needlessly defending someone who was needlessly hostile and rudei n his initial response to the dude.

Who has now been banned for a month citing previous history of hostility as well.

Come on.

 

[Spinluck]

...umm, but in that case why doesn't Biden get that same consideration you are giving Bernie?

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I suggest you go listen to what they both said on the house floor in regards to that Bill. Bernie's take has aged far far better. I am not giving him a simple pass but he did own up to it and spoke on how it would fuck over Black people at the time. The poster brought it up disingenuously so I addressed that.

 

[JABEE]

Joe Biden is not a good guy to me. He was one of the leading Democratic proponents of the Iraq War and helped string together bi-partisan support for plans of austerity and the war on drugs during his time as Senator. He might have been friendly and got along with elite policy-makers, but it was often to the detriment of a lot of people in this country and abroad.

I'm happy for you that you like Biden, but for me, he's a foundational figure in why the country is in the Hellish predicament it is currently in. Most things he has pushed have been at the expense of poor and working class people in favor of credit card companies, telecoms, and capital in general.

 

[Emergency & I]

I posted this in the other thread but just wanted to share it here too because I'm jealous of you guys.



America just elected a man who went through so much in life that he could've easily ended it. Life threw him so many hardships but he kept going and going and going. He's always said finding purpose saved his life and that purpose has always been to serve the American people. That purpose saved his life. Since he was 30 years old, he served you guys in the senate. Then as your VP. And always, always, that purpose to serve is what kept him going everyday.

When ever he says "My fellow American" or "my dear American", know that it comes from depth of his heart. Know that he really cares and loves his country and people. Serving them saved his life.

Who better to guide a country and people facing so much death, inequality and injustice than a man shaped by tragedy and saved through purpose of serving his people.

He won't be perfect, but his sincerity shouldn't ever be questioned by the other side. And I hope the other side really understand how much he cares for them.

'You've Got to Have Purpose.' Joe Biden's 2020 Campaign Is the Latest Test in a Lifetime of Loss


"So verily with every hardship comes ease, verily with hardship comes ease" - Al-insyriah 5-6.

God bless you guys. God bless you.

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Fuck yeah, OP. Great post and thank you for saying it.

 

[Ahuitzotl]

You know that Bernie Sanders signed off on 94 Crime Bill too, right?

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Naah he did more than just sign on it.


And was still defending it up until a few months ago.

Biden Defends 1994 Crime Bill: 'Every Black Mayor Supported It,' Still Opposes Defunding Police | Essence

Biden, the bill's architect, said it was a different time. "The Black Caucus voted for it, every Black mayor supported it across the board."

www.essence.com

 

[JABEE]

Also, Joe Biden was known as one of the biggest glad-hander, retail politicians on the hill. They live to have positive interactions with people. It's a trope of politicians smiling and shaking hands with their constituents as they do corrupt shit in private.

 

[Antrax]

I'd rather a guy who's a blunt asshole but has good values and a firm understanding of policy

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Obviously any personality can have a firm understanding of policy, but in my opinion, an asshole's values can only be so "good." That's just "tells it like it is" by another name. Being a good person is not a guarantee of policy success, but it is a requirement. Assholes don't have the concern for people to ever empathize enough to truly succeed.

 

[JABEE]

Naah he did more than just sign on it.


And was still defending it up until a few months ago.

Biden Defends 1994 Crime Bill: 'Every Black Mayor Supported It,' Still Opposes Defunding Police | Essence

Biden, the bill's architect, said it was a different time. "The Black Caucus voted for it, every Black mayor supported it across the board."

www.essence.com

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He also worked his ass off to get worse versions of the bills across when Republicans were in power. It took Bill Clinton to get in office to reach the correct political environment to do Welfare Reform, the Crime Bill, and obliterate regulations on the financial industry. Joe Biden gets along well. That was his thing. He is everyone's friend even Bernie Sanders.

 

[Deleted member 43]

Also, Joe Biden was known as one of the biggest glad-hander, retail politicians on the hill. They live to have positive interactions with people. It's a trope of politicians smiling and shaking hands with their constituents as they do corrupt shit in private.

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Nah, the guy genuinely loves meeting and talking to people. He acted the same way in public as he did in private or with his staff.

 

[Soriku]

Is this the thread for broken humans?

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Lol. Must be. Obviously the job and policy is the most important thing here. That's we why we voted for him, and we'll see how his presidency turns out (then again nothing he does is going to be as bad as Trump...). But we're all humans and it's human nature to look at how someone presents themselves---even if we don't know them personally.

Nothing weird about that, and Biden seems like a genuine guy and obviously presents himself with a hell of a lot more class than Trump, which makes him likeable, besides looking at which side of the aisle he falls on with policy.

To give an analogy this is why employers will look at people's personality when they're hiring, instead of hiring just based on credentials. Because no one likes to work with an asshole.

 

[Antrax]

I hope he's kind and sincere. I've never gotten the impression that he was not. I know many people who have ignorant or bigoted views, but are genuinely warm, compassionate, and loving people. I know many progressives that say and think all the right things, but are negative, cynical, rude, and unloving. Honestly, I prefer the former over the latter. Obviously, the ideal person would be... well, ideal, but no one is perfect.

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Yeah, I agree with this. And like I said above, I personally don't think the latter could ever truly succeed in helping people in the way people are wanting. Assholes get mean, petty, etc... so what happens when their preferred bill doesn't pass? Do they build a coalition, engage in some politicking, try to get something done? Or do they take their ball and go home? If someone's character is "I'd rather fail than see Person X succeed," there's no world where that ever works. Good character and empathy are the first things (out of a ton of things) required to succeed in helping people. If an asshole truly cared about people, they probably would be able to empathize with them.

 

[Creepy Woody]

As someone who doesn't live in America, he sounds like a fantastic leader. I only wish Australia could have a compassionate caring leader Biden or Ardern.

 

[Spinluck]

Joe Biden is not a good guy to me. He was one of the leading Democratic proponents of the Iraq War and helped string together bi-partisan support for plans of austerity and the war on drugs during his time as Senator. He might have been friendly and got along with elite policy-makers, but it was often to the detriment of a lot of people in this country and abroad.

I'm happy for you that you like Biden, but for me, he's a foundational figure in why the country is in the Hellish predicament it is currently in. Most things he has pushed have been at the expense of poor and working class people in favor of credit card companies, telecoms, and capital in general.

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Yup, establishment Dem to the core.

Seems like a genuinely nice guy that would wave hi to you on the street though. Lol.

 

[Jaq'or]

You know, I don't even disagree with that. Certainly, it will be a relief that we can expect to wake up and not have to worry about Biden denigrating vulnerable people. That's great. I'm not saying it's unimportant.

But his actual policy actions is what is paramount. He cannot let republicans stop him from solving multiple crisis that we are in. We need to be looking forward to that above all.

Click to shrink...

This. I'm relieved to know that now, when I say I'm mad at the President, it's because of something substantive like policy and not the simple fact that he's an incompetent racist.

 

[fireflame]

I don't know this much about american policies, other than the fact USA deal with lack of decent healthcare, racism, expensive tuition indentured serviture through debts, lack of good minimal wages,retc. What upsets me is the religious part.I am christian myself, but the "carrying the cross until the end" part is something i have always have a hard time to deal with. I mean that Jesus suffered on the cross that cannot be denied, but I watched a very insightful documentary about crucifixion, and what kills you if you are crucified is that you are forced to stand without moving, which is béad for blood circulations and ends up killing you. Meaning that the christ suffered for 6 to 48 hours. And there are many people who suffer way moire than the christ, and "carrying the cross until th end" shoudl not be an injunction, but a choice.
I am probably the onkly one caring about the religious part of that description, but I felt a bit upset. and couldn't help reacting.

 

[Carnby]

We need to stop creating parasocial relationships with our politicians. It's nice that Joe Biden is a sincere person whose capable of genuine empathy, and that should be a standard to the job and especially so given the sociopath we had in Trump, but his primary role is to fix the nation. Who Joe Biden is as a person should matter a lot less than if he's gonna give us healthcare, address systemic racism, address the police problem, etc.

He's the president. He's not your friend. With few exceptions, he doesn't even know you exist. His sincerity is nice, it really is...but the nations dying of covid. Lets get on that first and foremost.

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You're the first post? Wtf.

 

[the_id]

What have I unleashed?!
.....and we are less than 24 hours from the election!

 

[Mochi]

I just listed out a ton of personal examples of him being a good man, of others agreeing with that statement, of him fostering an open and healthy working environment, etc.

But, whatever.

Click to shrink...

I really appreciate you sharing your personal experiences and I can get a sense for the empathy that you describe in his speeches. Personal accounts and experiences are always important, as they touch on deeper aspects of one's character that are not often revealed in policy or action. Why else do people read memoirs and biographies instead of sticking to textbooks? I think his humanity will be important for voter turnout and progressive movements going forward. It will be important for keeping people in touch with and engaged in politics. I think this will be especially necessary for nabbing the senate in 2022. Of course policy and action are paramount, and of course he should be held accountable for his past and future statements and actions. But it is strange to say that personal accounts of what kind of person others believe him to be are meritless. They are our only window into a side of him we would never know otherwise.

 

[TheZynster]

I rewatched his TAPS speech after this smaller video was getting posted here and I honestly think it's one of his best speeches ever.

I recommend anyone curious about our soon to be new president give it a watch.

Click to shrink...

"I'm a democrat and I love John McCain" will forever go down with me. That Eulogy alone two years ago and the cheetos bashing of McCain probably is the reason Arizona flipped today.

Johns seen some shit, and wants to make sure America doesn't suffer the way he did.

I honestly more now than I ever have felt was the right man for the job. He is an incredibly passionate man.


Listen to Bidens Eulogy at the McCain service and you can see what kind of person hes going to be.

 

[Huncho_Houdini]

How can anyone say the personality and characteristics of the president don't matter after the last 4 years? Yes getting things done is obviously more important. But the importance having an endearing and empathetic personality can't be underestimated.

 

[mordecaii83]

Wow, some of the responses in this thread are pretty disgusting. I can't believe some of these posts, as if people haven't made mistakes in their own lives and they expect someone who's been in politics for nearly half a century to have a perfect record. It's pretty obvious a lack of decency isn't relegated to just the right. It's not that the best people don't make mistakes, the best people own up to them, learn from them, and try to be better people after them. Imagine having a brand new president-elect and not even letting him take office before judging his presidency.

 

[Avitus]

Listen to Bidens Eulogy at the McCain service and you can see what kind of person hes going to be.

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For anyone that wants it:

 

[Ahuitzotl]

Wow, some of the responses in this thread are pretty disgusting. I can't believe some of these posts, as if people haven't made mistakes in their own lives and they expect someone who's been in politics for nearly half a century to have a perfect record. It's pretty obvious a lack of decency isn't relegated to just the right. It's not that the best people don't make mistakes, the best people own up to them, learn from them, and try to be better people after them. Imagine having a brand new president-elect and not even letting him take office before judging his presidency.

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I still can't get over how much people downplay his actions, it's surreal. Dude was defending it last fucking year https://edition.cnn.com/2019/06/06/politics/joe-biden-crime-bill-2020-campaign/index.html

 

[Luminish]

Only to use that lease on life to make sure private healthcare companies can deny healthcare to and financially ruin the lives of people with health problems who are less fortunate than Biden.

Celebrate the defeat of trump all you want. He's worth it. But to celebrate the success of this ghoul disgusts me.