Let’s put our foreboding aside and leave outgoing President Donald Trump behind.
We face crises of epic proportions: COVID-19, political divisiveness, racial inequities, economic disparities, climate change. It’s important as citizens to think about the kind of leadership that might help to heal our country.
I suggest that President-elect Joe Biden would do well to address five key questions as he takes on the presidency. History provides examples of how former presidents have faced situations relevant to the questions.
Question: In view of the crises facing our country, how straight will you be with citizens about their seriousness?
History: Early in the American Revolution, Gen. George Washington faced the highly contagious smallpox that threatened to wipe out the new Continental Army. Among the Continental regulars, 90% of deaths were caused by smallpox.
Despite stiff opposition from the Continental Congress, Washington was forceful about the need for inoculating all of the forces that came through Philadelphia. With no precedent for the operation, on Feb. 5, 1777, Washington ordered the unpopular policy of mass inoculation.
There are examples of presidents who were not straight with citizens: Hoover, who promised that “prosperity is around the corner,” and Lyndon B. Johnson who, with his Vietnam generals, fantasized about “light at the end of the tunnel.”
In contrast, Franklin Roosevelt, at the start of his administration, was honest with the American people about the economic crisis. “A host of unemployed citizens face the grim problem of existence, and an equally great number toil with little return,” he said. “Only a foolish optimist can deny the dark realities of the moment.”
Question: How much ownership will you take relative to these crises?
History: Biden can look to Abraham Lincoln’s and FDR’s responses as exemplars. Doris Kearns Goodwin, in her book, Team of Rivals, notes that Lincoln took responsibility for what he did, acknowledged his own errors and shared responsibility for the mistakes of others.
In his first inaugural address, in March 1933, Franklin Roosevelt, though uncertain about the future, understood his potential to shape what was possible. Despite a climate of fear in the country, Roosevelt took on the responsibility of facing directly the economic hardship and poverty of Americans.
Question: What is your vision for America?
History: The visionary leader has a clear and far-reaching vision, which includes ideas and goals that remain constant. Washington’s writings reveal a clear, thoughtful and coherent vision of the potential for an American republic. History professor Michael Burlingame of Connecticut College wrote that Lincoln, in saving the Union and abolishing slavery, defined “the creation of a more perfect Union in terms of liberty and economic equality that rallied the citizenry behind him.” Lincoln understood that visionary presidential leadership was necessary for victory in both great causes.
Question: What are your expectations about the functioning of your team?
History: Biden’s challenge will be to forge a team and get the most out of it. Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that the one thing uniting the eight presidents under whom he served was: “Each one … understood he did not have all the answers, and surrounded himself with experienced, thoughtful people who would give good advice, and they were willing to listen.”
Goodwin notes that for his Cabinet, Lincoln chose the most competent people — including rivals with strong egos, varied temperaments and high ambitions. They were unafraid to argue with him. FDR encouraged diversity in the recommendations that reached him by pitting his assistants against one another. Dwight Eisenhower regarded the best way for him to make a wise decision was to get together all of the responsible policymakers with their different viewpoints and listen to them debate.
Question: How do you plan to get citizens to act on your behalf?
History: FDR argued that leadership in the modern age meant being flexible and reshaping government actions to accommodate a changing and growing social order. He saw the presidency as the essential engine for progress. He was an experimenter. If something doesn’t work, try something else. He pioneered the creation of a strong social safety net to help Americans in their time of need.
Barack Obama’s exclamation “Yes we can!” inspired a whole nation at a time when the U.S. economy needed an lift in the aftermath of the financial crisis of 2008 and the resulting high unemployment. Obama’s can-do attitude inspired his followers to believe that all things are possible despite the challenges.
This is Biden’s opportunity to communicate clearly a vision that unites the country and demonstrates the leadership needed to curb the spread of COVID-19, heal the deep wounds of racism, reinforce equity among the citizenry and protect the environment. He needs to temper partisan conflicts and excite all citizens to see a better future for themselves and our democracy.
Bob Scobie lives in West Lebanon. Email him at bobjoannescobie1@gmail.com.