LETTER: Biden’s experience, acuity and heart displayed in virtual visit

To Ozaukee Press:
I recently attended Joe Biden’s virtual roundtable on rural Wisconsin issues. This is the summary of what I heard and observed about Joe.

Biden began by saying that our fates are bound with the rural land and communities, where the food is raised. He said, “Food doesn’t magically appear on our plates. It’s there due to the hard work of farmers.” He offered that he would like “any advice you have for me. I’m wide open.” Isn’t that refreshing!

Joe said that for the next months, it’s the job of leadership in government to sustainpeople safely through the pandemic, help sustain their businesses and basic needs like food and shelter, medical and mental health care. In January, February or March of next year, whenever the pandemic is over, we begin to rebuild the country with investment in infrastructure, keeping people healthy, and stimulating business. Sounds to me like a man with a plan—leadership.

Biden pointed out that he’s been to Wisconsin many times in his career and mentioned a few of our smaller cities as though he knew them well. I did not get any sense he was politicking. It was obvious that Joe Biden is genuinely interested in people and their needs.

 Biden is sharp-minded and full of facts and figures and historical perspective, as well as plans for the future like preserving more land in conservation programs and providing more electrical charging stations for a sustainable life.

He said that as vice president he relied on inspectors general, sat down with them, to make sure the $800-billion economic recovery program of the Obama administration, of which he was in charge, was not wasteful, followed legal guidelines and was spent fairly. He said these inspectors general are nonpartisan, career investigators that Republicans used to strongly support. But now, he asked, where are they when Trump fires one after another?

Joe Biden’s mind is full of knowledge and his heart is unmatched. This was apparent as he spoke easily in a relaxed manner.

Do not let anyone tell you Joe Biden isn’t at the top of his game. He did not read from a teleprompter and his thoughtful statements, genuine questions and cogent responses gave me confidence that this is the man to lead our nation out of this pandemic and into a thriving future.

Nancy Camden
Mequon