Was it MOJO(E)... Or "Proof of Life?"
"The maxim that 'politics is perception' has been true for millennia, but in recent decades, television has taken it to an entirely different level. And TV is driven by one thing: PERFORMANCE."
Joe Biden has always been an erratic communicator. Inconsistent. A conundrum across five decades. Long known as a “gaffe machine” (his description), whenever Biden speaks publicly and off the cuff, his supporters strap themselves in.
Over the last several years, the President has suffered more so from cognitive diminution in front of microphones. Memory loss. Call it what you will, but a majority of Americans noticed this a long time ago. And now over a majority have said that they don’t believe he is mentally fit for another term (former President Trump is also going through this more recently).
We all confront this challenge at some as we age. We just hope it’s not too cruel when it happens. I’m 57, and multiple times a week I lose my thought in the middle of what I’m saying to someone.
But Joe Biden and his advisors know what every person who follows politics or works in live television knows: How you say something often matters more than what you’re saying. And any gaffe or error can be overcome in the very next 10 seconds.
As Aaron Sorkin wrote in his first movie 30 years ago, “politics is perception.” This maxim has been true for millennia, but over the last 75 years, the art of television has taken it to an entirely different level. And TV is driven by one thing: performance.
SOTU
If we set aside the actual issues for a moment (and tons of Americans vote far more on emotion anyway), how did President Biden do in last night’s State of the Union Address? Flash polling suggests that approximately 60 percent of Americans who tuned in approved of his performance. Notably, the proportion of Independents who expressed at least some confidence in Biden being able to fulfill the duties of the presidency increased by 17 percent after the speech. Bullseye. On the sweet spot.
Supporters of the President were incredibly nervous last night. After having watched his increasing flubbing of words, losing his place and being defensive with reporters about his mental acuity, Biden voters had good reason to be scared. Yet by the end of the speech, they were elated. How did this happen? Even as he misspoke words and phrases repeatedly during the speech — why did millions of hesitant voters — Democratic and Independent — praise his performance?
Confidence.
Engagement.
Humor.
In that order.
1) Confidence: Whatever Biden’s many deficiencies — he brought his balls to the House floor last night. Unlike recent interviews where at times you can hardly hear him and his voice sounds labored, in this State of the Union, he projected as if he were Steve Perry.
Some said he was “too loud! He turned it into a political rally! Too partisan!” Actually, I somewhat agree with this. I’m a traditionalist when it comes to the halls of Congress and its rituals. But a man must meet the moment. And after the last seven years, to paraphrase Darwin: Adapt or die.
Biden owned the room. His attitude was one of strut. People crave to see confidence in others; from your lover to your airline captain to the delivery service person who’s promising a rush order. Everyone, with the possible exception of an opponent or competing interest. Speaking of which, this is the reason why a ton of voters were and are attracted to Trump. No matter what they may think of his character (and a massive proportion of even his own supporters disapprove of him as a human being), every time that he’s on TV, he beams (performs) confidence.
On live television — where there’s nowhere to hide —you either project confidence or you don’t. It’s a zero-sum game. Biden brought his game. So much so that a great many of his supporters today are asking: “Where’s that guy been??”
2) Engagement: After being vocally challenged right in the middle of last year’s SOTU — and responding to it in real time, Joe Biden was ready and waiting last night for the opportunity. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) even cautioned his entire conference not to be unruly during the speech.
But a gaggle of Republicans could not help themselves when Biden brought up the immigration bill and questioned why they would not pass legislation that they had actually authored. Astonishingly, they took the bait — and Biden pounced.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene (R-GA) gave Biden another bite at the apple when she yelled a correction of the name of recent murder victim, Laken Riley, which Biden had just botched. The President rolled over her, and moved right on. The Trump base may have loved it, but among Independents and a near unanimity of Democrats, Biden won the exchange. Confidence breeds the power to engage. Engagement leads to connection. Connection often leads to support.
3) Humor: When you are truly confident, it becomes easy to make fun of yourself. Instead of being defensive about criticisms or perceived weaknesses, you can make light of them and then move the narrative into the next direction. Biden did not do that in his terrible press conference of Feb. 10. And in other recent forums.
But last night, he hit his humor notes like a champ. He’d rehearsed them, and he performed them with a smile. Particularly near the very end of the speech, where he nailed an age joke that was a surprise to no one, and then transitioned back to principle:
“I know I may not look like it, but I’ve been around a while. And when you get to my age, certain things become clearer than ever before. I know the American story. Again and again I’ve seen the contest between competing forces in the battle for the soul of our nation. Between those who want to pull America back to the past and those who want to move America into the future.”
The Upshot
One good speech does not a campaign make. Far from it, and Biden made more than a few mistakes last night. I, myself, have doubted whether Joe Biden will even make it as the nominee by the time we get to the convention this summer. Perhaps. Perhaps not.
But last night, the President reminded a whole lot of people just how competent and energetic he can be. He did it for an hour and seven minutes. Live. In front of the world. At the age of 81.
He brought palpable confidence, the ability to engage, and some self-deprecating humor to temper it all and make it more human. Biden supporters can only hope that that same is the candidate is the one who shows up far more often between now and…
Thanks for this. I couldn't watch last night after seeing MTG's Trump hat and vest, bringing respect for our institutions (and the president) to a new low. I recorded it and will watch it today.
Interesting piece Michael, but I disliked the lead in.