Award-winning political columnist David Brooks said Joe Biden received enthusiastic applause for his speech at the Democratic National Convention on Monday because the crowd was relieved he was dropping out of the race.
Brooks, who began his career as a more moderate and conservative standard-bearer, has veered to the left to the point of having a famous ‘bromance’ with Biden’s former boss, Barack Obama.
He summed up the president’s speech as “no smiles and preaching.” The headline called it a “reminder that he couldn’t win” the 2024 election.
The opinion columnist has the same praise for Biden as he did for Obama, calling him a “superior” president, but ultimately was dissatisfied with Biden’s swansong and thought others might agree.
“On Monday, Biden offered people a glimpse of what his campaign could have been. I’m guessing the vast majority of Americans will be glad we’re rid of that,” he wrote.
Award-winning political columnist David Brooks said Joe Biden received enthusiastic applause for his speech at the Democratic National Convention on Monday because the crowd was relieved he was dropping out of the race.
Brooks (pictured), who began his career as a more moderate and conservative standard-bearer, has since veered left to the point of having a famous bromance with Biden’s former boss, Barack Obama.
Brooks admitted in the The New York Times Essay in which he said he was still smarting from how he felt Biden had been “pushed” since the nomination and cited Nancy Pelosi by name as the culprit.
But he said the United States is moving past what he seems to define as the Trump-Biden political era, as polls appear to show Trump leading Biden but Harris quickly erasing the deficit in her month as a candidate.
“But it was clear on Monday that there has been a shift in the spirit of the times, and Biden has not fully grasped it. Anger and outrage are not the spirit America craves now. The culture has changed.”
He also criticized the content of Biden’s speech, calling it emblematic of this era and out of touch with what he sees as the more positive efforts of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.
“I was expecting something in the spirit of Harris’ campaign: bubbly and cheerful. Near the end, she got a little sentimental and said, ‘America, I gave you my best.’ But overall she gave a serious, preachy speech.”
Biden cried at the Democratic National Convention last night as he delivered one of his last major speeches as president.
The 81-year-old took the stage in Chicago to pass the torch to Democratic candidate Kamala Harris on a night of delays that pushed his historic farewell remarks into the darkness of the night.
He began by wiping away a tear as his daughter Ashley introduced him to thousands of fans chanting “we love Joe” at the packed United Center.
Biden cried last night at the Democratic National Convention as he gave one of his last major speeches as president
His eyes were visibly teary during parts of his speech as the longest-serving president in U.S. history was overcome with emotion.
Biden admitted he had made “many mistakes” in his career. “But I gave them my best,” he said. “For 50 years, like many of you, I gave my heart and soul to the nation.”
The president insisted he was not angry about stepping aside after a growing chorus of senior Democrats demanded he step down.
Biden said he was acting for the good of the country, adding that serving as commander in chief has been the “honor of my life” and that he has “a lot to do” in his final five months in office.
“I promise I will be the best volunteer the Harris-Walz campaign has ever seen,” he said.
First lady Jill Biden also revealed how she saw her husband “dig deep into his soul” when he decided to drop out of the race.
In an emotional address to the president, he also urged Americans to unite with “faith in each other, hope for a brighter future and love for our country.”
Biden wrapped up what will be one of the final major speeches of his 52-year career in national politics with Democratic candidate Harris and a group of family members, including his son Hunter, at his side on stage.
President Joe Biden gets emotional as his daughter Ashley Biden welcomes him on stage on the first day of the Democratic National Convention
Democratic presidential candidate and US Vice President Kamala Harris greets Hunter Biden’s son Beau Biden after remarks by US President Joe Biden at the Democratic National Convention
First daughter Ashley Biden introduced her father, calling him “the OG girls’ dad.”
Before the president’s appearances, members of his family gathered in a special room located off to the side of the convention hall.
In attendance were grandchildren Naomi, Finnegan, Maisy, Natalie, baby Hunter and baby Beau, along with Hunter Biden’s wife Melissa Cohen, Naomi’s husband Peter Neal and Ashley Biden’s husband Howard Kerin.
Hunter remained out of sight until the president concluded his remarks, but then led the Biden clan toward the stage.