2020 election: America needs Biden’s character
In this time of extreme partisan and ideological divides in our country, it is nearly impossible to imagine that politics can have a very human side. I was fortunate to have witnessed this humanity firsthand, through my son’s eyes.
Ten years ago, my 12 year old son was struggling with a stutter. An avid fan of history and politics, he became aware of Vice President Joe Biden’s own childhood struggle with stuttering. As luck would have it, Joe Biden made a visit near our hometown during that time. I was hopeful that my son would get a chance to shake the Vice President’s hand.
As it turned out, my son did not get to shake the Vice President’s hand that evening. Instead, he began a remarkable friendship with an extraordinary person. I could go on from here and tell you about how that night ended up with my son getting to tour Air Force 2, or the times that he has received calls and notes of encouragement, congratulations and condolences from Joe Biden in the decade since.
I could elaborate on the tour he received of the West Wing when his 8th grade class went to DC, or maybe I should talk more about his high school graduation, complete with a video commencement address from the Vice President of the United States.
As a mother, I’m sure my baby could have gotten into any college he chose, but I assume those letters of recommendation from the Vice President didn’t hurt, or perhaps I should make sure you know my son has had amazing internships for the past two summers with, you guessed it, Joe Biden. Internships that have strengthened his studies and potential career paths.
The point of this column is simply to inform, from the depths of a mother’s heart, the electorate of this great nation, what an opportunity we have before us in this oh-so-consequential election year. We have the opportunity to elect, not only a man of great experience and knowledge, but a man of great character to the Presidency of the United States.
I believe that the person who penned the saying “You can tell a person’s true character by how they act when they think no one is watching” must have surely known Joe Biden. I have carried this story with me like a precious jewel for the past ten years.
While I never miss the opportunity to wax eloquent about this experience, I feel as though it is now my duty to tell this story. This story that so beautifully encapsulates what an amazing human being we have, working in the wings, to unite us, heal our nation and restore us to our rightful place in the world.
I’d like to end by telling you that my son has overcome his stutter. But he has not. What I can tell you is that, thanks to a man of great position and character taking an interest in him, he knows that his stutter does not define him, nor his plans for a bright future.
Imagine what that same person could do as our President? I believe that he can bring us together, restore our collective confidence, let the world know that the past 3 years do not define us as a nation, nor our plans for a bright future.