Vision

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris debuted as a team in Wilmington, Delaware yesterday, and Harris came out swinging and stinging like Muhammad Ali, reminding people that Donald Trump screwed up the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and allowing an economic crisis to result.

"This is what happens when we elect a guy who just isn’t up to the job," Harris said.  "Our country ends up in tatters.  And so does our reputation around the world. But let's be clear, this election isn't just about defeating Donald Trump and Mike Pence. It’s about building this country back better."  She also talked warmly about how she got to learn about Biden's integrity from his late son Beau when they were attorneys general of their respective states, fighting against banks for the common people.  

"I learned quickly that Beau was the kind of guy who inspired people to be a better version of themselves," Harris said, which she clearly attributed to his wonderful upbringing by his dad.

This is all good and fine for a freshly minted vice presidential candidate, but remember . . . people don't vote for Vice President, they vote for President.  Biden ultimately has to make the sale for the Democratic ticket.  And Biden's comments at his and Harris' debut as running mates focused a good deal on others - Harris herself and Donald Trump, praise for the former and barbs about the latter.  Biden bashed Trump's handling of the pandemic as well, and he lashed out at Trump's attacks on Harris, saying his only talent is "whining."  Okay, Joe.  Now what's your message?

Biden has offered several policy proposals over the past few months, emphasis an effort to rebuild America's economy and infrastructure in the aftermath of the worst pandemic in over a century, with the alliterative catchphrase "Build Back Better" as a strong foil to Trump's "Keep America Great."  He's already one step ahead of Trump, seeing that "Make America Great Again" made perfect sense as a slogan in 2016 when Trump was an outsider but doesn't compute in 2020 when Trump is presiding over a country that is the exact opposite of great.  But he has to consolidate his policy proposals into a clear, concise agenda with the sort of vision that got Franklin Roosevelt elected President in 1932 and got Ronald Reagan elected President in 1980.  Even the most exceptional presidential candidates have lost their bids for the White House without such vision.

Biden has the chance to offer his vision in next week's virtual Democratic convention when he officially accepts his party's presidential nomination.  He has to knock it out of the park.  He knows Trump will get the last word when he accepts the Republican presidential nomination a week after.  Biden has to let his words and his message resonate through and long after Trump's acceptance speech.  Postscript:  He can do it.