Joe Biden Doesn’t Need Wolf Blitzer

Screengrab of CNN’s election 2020 coverage.

Events of the past two weeks have led to a sense of fear and uncertainty throughout the United States. In addition to the crisis in Israel, one of the nation’s most powerful governing bodies has yet to organize itself and elect a Speaker. While the House leadership fight is farcical to many on the left, it has the potential to threaten economic stability and the nation’s ability to influence global affairs. Despite the widespread desire to make fun of Jim Jordan, a House that cannot pass legislation is a serious threat to American strength.

Throughout the process, Joe Biden has shown a calm and steady hand. He traveled to Israel on Wednesday, his second visit to a war zone without the explicit aid of the U.S. military. Biden managed to both comfort and show his support for Israel while also pushing for humanitarian aid to Gaza and implicitly criticizing the Israelis for overreach. His actions showed compassion and a skill for diplomacy that many Americans have been impressed by, although that response has yet to appear in poll numbers connected to the war.

In many ways, such a performance was seen as difficult for Biden. He does not hold press conferences and conducts few interviews. He is not a frequent presence on CNN or MSNBC. Many observers view him as degraded by age and unwilling to show this degradation through frequent public appearances. Biden’s reticence has allowed all sorts of conspiracy theories to flourish, many arguing that Biden is not really president and is simply a puppet for some other figure.

It is true that Biden would be able to better command the national narrative if he gave more press conferences and took a more active role in the presidency. But these areas have always been his weak suit. Biden’s first presidential run was derailed by a series of plagiarized comments and false statements in interviews. He has had a number of gaffes at public events dating back to the 1980s, long before there were any concerns about age-related cognitive decline.

Giving interviews and press conferences is not a key part of a president’s job. It makes money for news outlets while giving some sanitized information to the public. But achieving policy-related and diplomatic wins while also making emotional connections are important aspects of the presidency. With his international trips, Biden is showing that he can deliver tangible victories for both the American people and the world at large. These achievements are much more important than boosting CNN’s ratings.