Joe Biden’s Acceptance Speech: Political Experts Weigh In

Former Vice President Joe Biden accepted the Democratic presidential nomination Thursday night in a highly anticipated address to the Democratic National Convention.

We asked four Michigan political and communications consultants, and a political scientist, to assess Biden's performance.

What was Biden’s best moment?

Karen Dumas, a Democratic communications strategist in Detroit: His reflection on losing loved ones, and his commitment to finding and living a purpose.

At a time when we are as a country led by someone who appears to have no connection with or concern for anyone, the basis of a good leader has to be their ability and willingness to identify with those they represent.

David Dulio, a political science professor at Oakland University:

His best moment was arguably when he said he would defend America from every attack. There was real passion in his voice.

Dee McBroom, a Democratic campaign consultant in Detroit: Leaders don’t choose their time -- time chooses its leaders.

When Biden spoke to who he is -- his nature, empathy and understanding, he made his best case for this "time."

Americans, no matter their background, are looking for stability, experience and compassion to lead us during this terribly unsettling period. Biden is gifted in his ability to genuinely connect with the millions of us who have experienced deep loss and uncertainty during COVID. His call to America was to use its grief and loss to find its purpose, to be a light to the world. That is the kind of servant leadership Americans want right now.

Nick DeLeeuw, a Republican political/communications consultant in Lansing: Biden’s best moments came when he embraced family -- his and others -- to highlight both his own character and American possibility.

The heartfelt discussion of his wife and children spoke clearly to his personal character. His retelling of (Goerge Floyd's daughter) GiGi Floyd’s moving observation that her “daddy changed the world,” and the impact his more personal losses have had on his life and his political determination, humanized him, too.

Empathy, character, storytelling -- these are things Biden delivers as masterfully as maybe any candidate in modern politics. When he did them tonight, he soared -- which is why it’s so surprising he did them so infrequently.

Mario Morrow, a Detroit-area political consultant: Biden's best moment was when he got emotional and showed the country that he was like each one of us, human. Like us, a person who has survived hardship and personal tragedy. And how the loss of family made him a more relatable and stronger person, ready to lead.

It was a strong powerful moment that I am sure touched the soul of everyone listening,especially those who have experienced the loss of loved ones by way of COVID-19.

Biden's worst moment?

Dumas: The reiteration of promises that have been repeatedly shared for decades. We know that it takes more than a promise to create a reality. We are looking for real plans, with the potential road-bumps and legislative push-back included.

Dulio: His worst moments may have been when he stumbled with the teleprompter a couple of times early in the speech; he also seemed a bit angry at the end.

This was a tough speech to give. Normally it would have been delivered in a packed arena with a cheering crowd, with Biden able to feed off of that energy. That was obviously absent here and it meant that the speech felt a bit flat at times.

McBroom: The litany of policy “box-checking.”

While the touchstones of health care, education, jobs, college affordability, elder care are critically important to our future, the laundry list felt stale compared to the deeply connecting rhetoric of the rest of the address and the emotional urgency of now.

DeLeeuw: Biden spent a considerable and larger portion of the speech prosecuting a president who daily does to himself more damage than any opponent ever could.

In a speech that ran only about 25 minutes, every one of those spent attacking Donald Trump was a minute of missed opportunity. Voters know how they feel about Donald Trump. Many are still making up their minds about Joe Biden. It’s perhaps why polling shows Biden continues to trail the president significantly in supporter enthusiasm.

Morrow: His worst moment was not highlighting the strength of the partnership he would have with (California senator and vice presidential candidate) Kamala Harris.

Did Biden make a case for his election, other than not being Trump?

Dumas: He didn't have to -- not being Trump in this election is the case, and Biden made it. The divisiveness of Trump -- his decisions and lack thereof, have impacted millions in this country, and they are seeking someone -- anyone -- who can identify and empathize with their lives and circumstances, and is willing to be a champion for them.

His prioritization of the pandemic and economy are also points that resonate with all of us.

Dulio: Biden's case for being elected was both broad and specific, but in both areas his case was made by drawing contrasts with President Trump.

Biden spoke with lofty rhetoric about light versus darkness, and troubled times versus opportunity. Biden made some pretty lofty promises on COVID-19, all in an attempt to contrast his positions and plans with Trump. But with those promises, is it possible to develop and deploy rapid tests, make PPE (personal protective equipment), and get schools what they need to reopen all on Day 1, as he said?

He promised a national mask mandate, which is a shift from a short time ago when he simply asked governors to impose those mandates. It's not clear if the president has the power to impose such a mandate.

The middle of the speech was a bit of a laundry list of promises on specific issues -- health care, education, child care and elder care, a strong endorsement for unions, climate change, tax increases on the wealthy, Social Security, racial justice, and others. It was interesting that he promised a lot of what Trump has promised on infrastructure. There was something in that list for everyone.

Biden also talked of a united nation. It's hard to unite the nation when he spent 30 minutes bashing the candidate millions of Americans are going to cast a ballot for in a couple of months.

McBroom: Yes. While it was necessary for Biden to come out swinging, making it clear that Trump is unfit, he made a separate and distinct case for his election as a leader fit and experienced for this time of crisis.

Biden will not only see us through the immediate health and economic challenges of COVID but will rise to address existential issues like systemic racism, inequality and climate change. He's a leader for now and for the future.

Moreover, Biden's entire biography, personal history and nature as an empathetic and selfless person stood in stark contrast to the narcissism of Trump -- a point made abundantly clear without even mentioning the president by name.

DeLeeuw: Trump builds steel-reinforced bridges to export moderates and disaffected Republicans into Biden’s camp every time he logs on to Twitter, and Biden’s job during this speech -- and every day between now and Election Day -- was to welcome those voters to the other side of the water.

Instead of helping voters across, Biden opted to spend huge swaths of the biggest speech of his life merely describing the presence of the bridges.

Voters tuning in to learn more about the candidate and his vision may have been left wanting more than another long, pointed reminder of the current president’s well-known failings.

Morrow: Joe Biden clearly made the case to be elected president over Donald Trump. He articulated that he has the dedication, experience, honesty, integrity, vision and wisdom to lead our county during these difficult times.

He made it clear that he would listen to the experts in the areas of science and health to get the coronavirus under control, and that he would not be driven by personal needs, but by facts.

He also promised to protect the unemployed, those who are currently in great need and programs such as Social Security and Medicare.

Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @paulegan4. Read more on Michigan politics and sign up for our elections newsletter.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Joe Biden's acceptance speech: Michigan political experts weigh in

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