When I was an English teacher, I would tell my students never to use the word "nice." It's banal and lifeless. "What do you mean by nice?" I would ask. Kind? Thoughtful? Generous? Empathic? Compassionate?
Yes. All of the above to define Joe Biden.
In any other election year, a discussion of a presidential candidate's niceness would seem silly. We'd be concerned about our candidate's positions, qualifications, and experience. And certainly these matter. But after nearly four years of dealing with a mean president, niceness matters all the more.
What do I mean by mean? I might more reasonably ask, Where do I begin? Examples abound:
Vengeful: Donald Trump's endless retaliation against those who disagree with him or speak out against him. See Alexander Vindman, the retired Army officer who testified in Trump's impeachment trial.
Scornful: Donald Trump's nasty mockery of others. See John McCain, former U.S. senator and POW.
Threatening: Donald Trump's Mafia-like menacing. See Minneapolis and D.C. protesters, who stood up against police brutality.
Misogynist: Donald Trump's constant need to demean women. See Kamala Harris, U.S. senator and vice presidential candidate.
Cruel: Donald Trump's vicious assaults on those most vulnerable. See Family Separation policy, a barbaric, inhumane treatment of children and their parents.
It will be interesting to see how the Republican Party whitewashes Trump's heinous behavior at the convention this week. For if anything became clear during the Democratic National Convention, it was the gratitude from so many for Vice President Biden's kindness to them over the years. From ordinary citizens to members of Congress, one after another gave examples of Biden's compassion for others.
Why does this matter?
Because, as the Declaration of Independence reminds us, "A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people."
Joe Biden has the character to preside over our country. Donald Trump does not.
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