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| Biden Speaks about Coronavirus Vaccinations |
We’re facing a tough battle against the novel coronavirus, and, as dangerous new variants evolve, the worst may still be ahead of us. Republican politicians, following Donald Trump’s example, tell us to open up, let natural immunity protect the survivors, rip off our masks, skip the vaccine, and tell us that everything will be fine. Republicans like Arkansas’ Rick Crawford imply that the novel coronavirus is no worse than the common cold. He says that as dozens of children, ill with the coronavirus, fill his state’s intensive care wards. Many Republicans spout anti-public health attitudes. That is the opposite of leadership. Indeed, Republican-led states like Florida and Missouri are seeing record highs in infections and deaths.
President Joe Biden is not taking that easy route. Instead, he is trying to show leadership. In this speech, Biden warned us that we have a tough fight. He talked about serious measures to combat the pandemic. In a speech of leadership, it makes sense to warn us about dangers, to avoid easy solutions, and to give people a positive course of action that gives them hope. Speakers like Franklin Roosevelt and William McKinley showed leadership. That was also Biden's undertaking.
Franklin Roosevelt's War Message, December 8, 1941
Biden Gave a Warning
During his speech, Biden offered this sobering commentary:
Biden Gave a Warning
During his speech, Biden offered this sobering commentary:
“I know this is hard to hear. I know it’s frustrating. I know it’s exhausting to think we’re still in this fight. And I know we hoped this would be a simple, straightforward line, without problems or new challenges. But that isn’t real life. We’re coming out of the worst public health crisis in 100 years, the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.”
That’s not the way to get quick, easy votes. People do not like to be frustrated. Voters don’t like to hear things that are, well, “hard to hear.” We’re all tired of the virus. We’re tired of lockdowns, masks, and social distancing. So, let's look at what Biden said.
First, Biden’s warning preempted the superficial thinking of people who think that we can wish the virus away: “I know this is hard to hear. I know it’s frustrating.” That was smart. If you’re going to give people tough solutions, you can’t pretend that everything will be easy.
Second, Biden acknowledged the feelings of people who are tired of public health restrictions: “I know it’s exhausting to think we’re still in this fight.” Instead of arguing with their feelings, Biden admitted that they have real concerns.
Third, Biden warned his listeners that reality is always a challenge: “And I know we hoped this would be a simple, straightforward line, without problems or new challenges. But that isn’t real life.”
Having warned us about tough challenges, Biden next offered solutions.
Biden Gave People Hope
If you want people to act, you can’t leave them in despair. Persuasion experts have known this for at least a century. Biden combined his message of hope with a nice dose of national pride:
“My fellow Americans, this nation has never failed when we have come together as the United States of America. So I say to all those who are unvaccinated: Please — please get vaccinated.
“And to the rest of America: This is no time to be despondent or let our guard — our guard down. We just need to finish the job with science, with facts, with the truth. And together, as Americans, we’re going to be able to beat this.”
First, Biden’s message of hope pointed that the United States could face any challenge: “this nation has never failed when we have come together.”
Second, he warned us that it was too soon to “let our guard down.” The job isn’t finished. It does seem that, every time the virus takes a brief holiday, the voting public thinks everything is over and we can go back to normal. The virus unfortunately, has voted otherwise. We still face a challenge, and a good leader has to warn us about it.
Third, Biden came down straightforwardly in favor of science, facts, and truth. In a world where the other political party talks about “alternative facts” (i.e., lies), and routinely makes fun of science every time a new research study comes out, Biden came out for truth. That was risky but wise. Truth is often unpopular. People often dislike hearing the truth. We cannot, however, solve our problems by playing make-believe.
Fourth, and finally, Biden gave people positive courses of action. Take a vaccine: “please get vaccinated.” He said to continue with public health measures. He advised us not to think that the virus is finished until it’s actually finished. But he also told us not to give up hope, to take a positive attitude: “This is no time to be despondent or let our guard down.” Again, persuasion experts know that people are only going to act if they think their acts will make a difference. Biden took time to assure his listeners that they could do things that would help.
Yes, the former president, Donald Trump, gave people easy solutions – quack medicine cures like bleach injections or hydroxychloroquine. Many of his supporters, apparently, agreed that such cheap, effortless solutions were the way to go. Real life, however, isn’t so easy, and a true leader doesn’t just respond to public opinion.
Donald Trump was not a leader – he was a follower who said whatever his supporters wanted to hear. He did not lead his people; he mimicked them. He followed the polls, listened to the cheers, and said what was popular. In contrast, a true leader guides people toward success. Biden warned people that things will be hard, but he offered hope and recommended actions to help.
Will it work? Not everyone is willing to be led. Still, Biden made a good effort in this speech, and I hope that America is listening.
Will it work? Not everyone is willing to be led. Still, Biden made a good effort in this speech, and I hope that America is listening.
P.S. Did Trump rely heavily on opinion polls? Yes, he certainly did. Joel Pollak, one of Trump’s top campaign people, explains the secrets in his book, How Trump Won: The Inside Story of a Revolution.
Research note: if you want to learn more about persuasive communication, my former professor Charles Larson wrote one of the best introductions to the subject.
Image: White House YouTube Channel
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