I was watching the presentation yesterday when Joe Biden introduced a half dozen members of his national security team. And I was surprised that I was moved by how terrific they were – smart, decent, understanding of what America means to the world, and focusing on their willingness to speak truth to power, and on science.
What I loved too was all the professional reactions about the event from career diplomats and security professionals. To a person they were not only bowled over, but moved by it, as well. And rightly so. Former U.N. Ambassador Samantha Power said she used up a lot of tissue. And all the reasons they each were moved by it made it all the more special. I particularly loved former Senator Clare McCaskill saying how it stood out to her that not one person went out of their way to praise Biden for how great he was and how he won the election by so much. What stood out most for me was when Avril Haines, the nominee to be Director of National Intelligence, said that to Biden that she knew he was aware she'd never had trouble speaking truth to power when she thought something different from what people were hoping for, and that wouldn't she stop doing so now -- and she was sure he wouldn't want her to. As another TV analyst noted, related to this, how wonderful it was to hear all these people talking about that their responsibility wasn't to Joe Biden but to the United States. The day before, when Biden announced all these names, he was asked why almost all his initial selections were in the national security realm. It was near-impossible not to love his simple answer. What he said was, “Because it’s national security.”
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AuthorRobert J. Elisberg is a political commentator, screenwriter, novelist, tech writer and also some other things that I just tend to keep forgetting. Feedspot Badge of Honor
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