If you’ve not watched this interview, I recommend it. I have my concerns about Biden, and my position has been, I am voting for him because it is the responsible thing to do. This interview took me from that to, I feel comfortable about him. For some on the fence, it should take them to a place where they feel very good about Biden.
Let’s get the bad out of the way. When Noah asked Biden about police reform, his first two answers were things that we already know don’t work, cams, and sensitivity training. If everyone on Kos knows these are not viable, Biden should know this. That said, the next minute was a litany of the things that do work and how the federal government can force police departments to implement those items. It was a very good answer. I’m willing to grant that Biden knows that cams and sensitivity training don’t work and is saying what is politically viable.
What impressed me most was Biden going through his weaknesses. He said, and I paraphrase, I will stick my foot in my mouth, I say what’s on my mind. And then he and Trevor laughed about this. He followed that up with, look, I’m gonna make legislative mistakes, but I am going to do my best. And he went through some really important issues and had very good takes on them. He humanized his mistakes and accepted them. Frankly, every time he sticks his foot in his mouth over the next five months, they should play this snippet. It takes away the energy that Trump can get out of those mistakes.
Best, he talked about Trump voters, working-class folks, and he explained that he understood their frustrations. And he talked about how you reach out to them. It was pretty well handled.
Biden has some mistakes in this interview, but they aren’t the crux of what he has to say. He was informed and laid out some really good positions.
Two other points that quite impressed me. They talked about voter suppression. Biden answered this aspect of the interview by saying that it was the thing that most concerned him. I’ve not heard that from any Democrat. Oh, they talk about it, but never in the terms Biden uses. He knew the state count on legislation that is meant to impede voting. If folks are saying you’re uninformed and losing it, knowing how many states are suppressing votes and the legislative count on voter suppression is a smart roll out in an interview. Now, I won’t swear that what he is suggesting is going to solve the problem, but a part of his campaign strategy is working to get those votes counted. And it is a legal approach. Getting that rolling now, instead of at the end of the summer, seems like a good idea. I like that.
The other answer that impressed me was a reply to the notion that Trump won’t leave if he loses. Biden discussed the statements made by our military leaders that show they won’t tolerate this. He stated, and again I paraphrase, I have no doubt that they will walk Trump out of the White House. He is already telling the military, I have no doubt you will do your job because you are Americans. Very good statement.
Watch the interview. Oh yeah, Noah shows how you conduct an interview in a respectful and thoughtful manner. Quarantine has given me more time to listen to Noah and he is hitting hard on racism and other issues. He is doing a pretty good job himself.