Letter to the editor: Is Biden up to the task?

The hotly disputed 2020 presidential election, resulting in the ascendancy of Joe Biden into the Oval Office, has proven to be a Rorschach test of various optimisms to many outside observers. At least, that is what seems to be the theme of the many quoted in Deb Erdley’s Page 1 story “History pitches challenges as experts, activists express hopes for Joe Biden’s time in White House” (Jan. 23, TribLIVE).

David Chambers, political science department chair at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, claims Biden’s nearly 50-year presence in D.C. government has groomed him to be “probably among the most well-trained presidents we’ve ever had.” Perhaps that might be more of a possibility if Biden actually knew that he is the president, after introducing himself at one campaign stop as running for the U.S. Senate.

Duquesne University President Ken Gormley states Biden, based on his lengthy record in government, can “walk into nearly every city in the U.S. and know the leader there and what they need.” Since during one of his campaign stops Biden was unsure of whether he was in New Hampshire or Vermont, I wouldn’t rely too heavily on that one being realized.

Tracy Baton, described as an “urban Black female activist,” sees hope that he will respond to the Black constituency that elected him, which, in her words, is “committed to our cities and committed to building up and not tearing down.” Let’s all hope he makes it to Portland, Seattle, Kenosha, and, yes, even New York before the next “building up” session begins.

Bill McMaster

Delmont