During the Democratic presidential primary in 2020, Representative James Clyburn may well have watched the film “Shall We Dance” prior to endorsing President Biden. In that 1937 film, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers lament in song that their relationship has deteriorated to the point that when one says “potato” the other says “potahto”.
After four years of Donald Trump’s negativity and cynicism that widened the enormous divide between the parties, Clyburn knew, more than anything else, that the country needed a congenial healer with sufficient character to restore some civility and decency in the White House. Though Biden may not have been the most substantively qualified candidate, he would be a leader who could restore respect and collegiality to the presidency and provide an antidote to Trump’s divisive and hateful approach.
Clyburn threw his support behind Biden, whose recent State of the Union speech proved that he backed the right man at the right time. Whether one agrees or disagrees with Biden’s initiatives or accomplishments, his State of the Union speech confirmed that a decent, caring leader now occupies the White House. He provides the antidote to the venomous approach by Trump before, during and after his tenure.
In many speeches on many occasions, Biden has demonstrated the capacity to be a uniter, not a divider – in values, whether or not in substance. He has a proven track record of cooperation with Republicans, best exemplified by his close relationship with the late Senator John McCain, and an overall capacity for worthwhile discussions with the other side of the aisle.
Independent of partisan issues, it would be difficult for most Republicans, except perhaps Marjorie Taylor Greene, to maintain that listening to Biden’s State of the Union was less patriotic than enduring the bombastic rhetoric of Donald Trump. They, too, should privately thank James Clyburn for returning some class and character to the White House.
Steve Kramer is an attorney and former assistant attorney general in Massachusetts from 1980 to 1987.
