I strongly approve of this Biden press conference reticence, and for 4 reasons, thread if you're interested ...
https://twitter.com/peterbakernyt/status/1370885512635027464
Reason 1)
Assertive presidential leadership can polarize something that otherwise would be broadly unifying. IE the reason we had a "Marshall Plan" (named after then SecState) rather than a "Truman Plan" was that President Truman's name excited strong partisan feelings 2/x
Assertive presidential leadership can polarize something that otherwise would be broadly unifying. IE the reason we had a "Marshall Plan" (named after then SecState) rather than a "Truman Plan" was that President Truman's name excited strong partisan feelings 2/x
We saw this in the Obama and Trump years over and over again. People might not have an opinion over this program or that issue. They had STRONG feelings about Obama/Trump. Attach the high-intensity name, and the merits of the program/issue got lost. 3/x
By keeping a low profile, Biden is de-escalating and de-polarizing politics - a smart move, especially at a time when the supreme national priority is to get everyone of all points of view vaccinated as fast as possible. 4/x
Reason 2)
The presidency is an ensemble performance, not a one-man show. Putting a cast member on the White House press stage underscores that truth. It teaches the public how their government works - and how their government SHOULD work. 5/x
The presidency is an ensemble performance, not a one-man show. Putting a cast member on the White House press stage underscores that truth. It teaches the public how their government works - and how their government SHOULD work. 5/x
People on Twitter often complain of the "green lantern" theory of the presidency - that the president can achieve things by sheer willpower. Americans need to *see* that other people in government beside the president also make decisions - and must answer for those decisions 6/x
Reason 3)
Reporters get more useful information from operational officials than they possibly can from the president - and are less tempted into performative stunts.
Nobody ever says to a reporter, "Congratulations, you really tripped up the IRS commissioner!"
7/x
Reporters get more useful information from operational officials than they possibly can from the president - and are less tempted into performative stunts.
Nobody ever says to a reporter, "Congratulations, you really tripped up the IRS commissioner!"
7/x
When you put on the White House stage the official with direct operational responsibility - you incentivize reporters to try to extract useful information, not to generate viral video. 8/x
Reason 4)
For me, a top concern about the Biden presidency was: Would this highly emotional and often over-talkative man muster the self-discipline required to succeed at the job?
By *not* talking, Biden has already answered the most urgent question I had.
END
For me, a top concern about the Biden presidency was: Would this highly emotional and often over-talkative man muster the self-discipline required to succeed at the job?
By *not* talking, Biden has already answered the most urgent question I had.
END
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