American presidents are rated for their legislative achievements, and Joe Biden, no matter what he does from now on, rates well. But the public perception of him as doddering remains stuck and is damaging to his Party.
One reason is that Biden consistently over-promises and over-sells. Another is that he does not appear to grasp the role he is meant to play. He struggles to find a way to be a Roosevelt – more Theodore than Franklin, the can-do, energetic, and effective executive in charge – combined with a Kennedy – more Jack than Bobby or Teddy, the cool, attractive, and elegant public figure.
This sort of imperial American president is a man of the past. Attempting to resuscitate it is unwise, let alone for a senescent, tongue-tied ex-legislator with that branch’s addiction to fulsome grandstanding.
Biden would do better to sell a different image: that of the genial, grandfather-figure who has his country’s best interests at heart and is well served by a competent and confident team of public servants.
So, less Roosevelt, more Reagan. Reagan never appeared to mind being called an amiable dunce. He relaxed and did so with some authority.
Biden does not come close to having Reagan’s ideological record or his charm. He has never had a large following. But Biden ought to be able to turn his age, his geniality, and his decency to an advantage.
For example, all his recent predecessors, including Reagan, partook in the game of golf. Reagan chauffeured visitors around in his golf cart and pulled it off.
Others, less so. George H. W. Bush looked like he was trying to walk a marathon, not play a game. Bill Clinton and Donald Trump look ridiculous in golf attire, and are known to cheat. George W. Bush and Barack Obama look silly, like teenagers trying to impress the elders in the clubhouse.
Nonetheless, Biden ought more often to give golf a go. It’s no longer necessary to draw a contrast between his church going and Trump’s golf playing. Biden looks good on the golf course. Or maybe just a bit more presidential.