What Should Biden Do? Start, Simply, With Good Governance
Examining what the key mission of the new President should be while facing multiple crises
Publisher’s Riff
As we're now swearing in the 46th president of the United States, there's not much doubt around President Joe Biden's ability to govern or, at least, his expertise at governance and public policy. After all, that's why he was elected: because Americans who did vote appreciated that level of expertise and understood the contrast between him and the executive-level criminal negligence of Trump. But, there is a larger question looming: how does he govern in a climate like this?
How does he govern and "unify" the nation as a president in a country battered by toxic politics, pandemic and economic meltdown? How does he interact and work with Republicans on Capitol Hill who are still refusing to show any sign of remorse for what they've done, much less comity towards the greater good of ensuring the country runs smoothly? Many ask this question out of hope that Democrats find some magical way to convert Trump Republicans and Independent conservatives into voting Democrat in 2022 and 2024. Others ask these questions as a clever way to erect stumbling blocks on the path towards an impeachment conviction trial for Trump - "oh no, never mind that we've completely destroyed any sense of unity through Q'anonism, spreading lies, family separating detention centers and stealing people's voting rights ... you can't punish people for destabilizing the federal government! That's just outrageous!"
But, it can be done: enforcement of laws is, basically, a form of governance. So, that's not unusual. And, accountability or punishment for attacking government can and should happen simultaneously.
Hence, it's a rather simple formula for Biden: just pursue and maintain good governance. That's it. There's no need for sophisticated messaging or even a distinct campaign that attempts to market his plan, or mission. It's just simply promoting and displaying solid, competent and capable governance. The type of governance that delivers resources to where they are needed. The type of governance that will respond to crises without vindictively keeping political score. The type of governance of realistic goals, benchmarks and metrics, and a type of governance that doesn't over-promise or outright lie. Basic principles of common good and, more importantly, equitable governance rewards everyone with the unity they need and desire. There’s no need for a “return to normalcy,” we don’t need a “normal” (that wasn’t working all that well to begin with) just to make government work. There's no need to expend extra energy on struggling to talk to people who think you're illegitimately elected when that energy is put to better use by simply fulfilling and excelling at the job of president.
That's the message we'll hope for, and to a large degree, expect from Biden as he kicks off the 46th presidency. It's not really a cheesy one of "unity," because, right now, the public is not buying much of that when elected leaders can't even unify themselves around crises like the pandemic. Let's hope he figures out a way to avoid his usual instinct towards compromise with the other side, but there are already signs that he won't be bullied or a pushover. It's still too early to tell. Biden will need to lead by example, by a method of conscious and empathetic governance. House and Senate Democrats will need to support that agenda through innovative policymaking and simply pushing good governance through in spite of Republican objectionism. In the meantime, Congressional Democrats, along with agencies like the Justice Department, will be duty bound to continue investigating, probing and prosecuting. Biden doesn't need to focus on that, he'll just need to govern.