The OLD Philosopher – John M. Miller
There was a time, many presidencies ago, when newly elected U.S. presidents experienced what has universally been termed a “honeymoon.” In every such new relationship, things generally went smoothly for several months, because most Members of Congress believed the new chief executive deserved to be treated gently.
As time has gone on, presidential honeymoons have gotten shorter. Probably no president will ever have a shorter honeymoon than Joe Biden. His “grace period” lasted all of twelve hours. It went from noon on Inauguration Day until midnight. However, part of that time he was signing several executive orders and talking to many people.
Joe Biden came into the White House with even more enormous challenges facing him than any other president since Franklin Roosevelt. Three in particular await his attention: the COVID pandemic, a severely-strained economy because of the pandemic, and all the political, diplomatic, and financial wreckage left behind by his predecessor.
The American people and our new president are greatly blessed by the fact that Mr. Biden was a senator for thirty-six years and a vice president for eight years. Therefore he is well aware of the capricious nature of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue honeymoons. Virtually no one in American history has come into the presidential office with as much first-hand knowledge of how American government, including the executive branch, works. He will likely not be surprised by anything that crosses the Resolute Desk.
This is being written the third day after he assumed his new duties. No one could deny that the man has been very busy. He had outstanding preparation for life in the White House, and he seems to be reveling in the grueling pace he has set for himself. However, it appears unlikely that he will be spending much time on the golf course.
With a House of Representatives almost evenly divided and a Senate that is divided exactly evenly, it also is unlikely that he will be granted much if any slack by politicians who disagree with policies he shall recommend. White House honeymoons last longer when there is a 60-40 or even 55-45 split between the two parties in Congress.
No one understands this better than Joe Biden. He comes into the Oval Office with fewer delusions or illusions than any other president. There has never been a more experienced Old Hand in Washington. That is a great advantage to him, and to us. It does not make his job fundamentally easier, but it does mean he knows what he is up against far better than anyone else who has run for the highest office in the land.
Still, with the plethora of problems which have cascaded into his lap, it behooves all Americans, and especially the Members of Congress, to do their best to support this highly decent gentleman who now has dropped upon him the duty to try to govern a fractious people and nation. He deserves our respect, encouragement, and approval.
The challenges are unparalleled, but his experience and training are also unequaled in our history. May God bless America, but may He particularly bless Joseph R. Biden, Jr. in the role he has so long sought and for which he is probably the most qualified to serve of any citizen who ever took the presidential oath.
John Miller is Pastor of The Chapel Without Walls on Hilton Head Island, SC. More of his writings may be viewed at www.chapelwithoutwalls.org.