President Joe Biden delivered a rare moment of unity on Tuesday, but it wasn’t the kind any politician wants. During his speech at the Kempsville Recreation Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Biden stumbled over his words, embarrassing himself in front of a crowd.
It’s not the first time the president has had trouble with the English language in public speaking, but Tuesday’s blunder was different. The White House transcript writers didn’t even try to cover it up, they just put the best spin on it possible, which failed to impress.
Biden’s fumbles in public speaking have become so common that it’s almost more newsworthy when he doesn’t embarrass himself during an engagement. Normally, he babbles around his misstatements, bluffing his way through the trouble areas until he finds surer footing a sentence or two down.
But Tuesday’s gaffe was too egregious to ignore, and it’s the kind of moment that Republicans can use to their advantage. The president’s increasing involvement in American health care may be touted as a benefit, but his inability to communicate effectively raises concerns about his leadership.
Republicans can use Biden’s blunders as an opportunity to show that they are the party of clear and effective communication. They can use his gaffes to rally their base and to draw attention to their own policies and proposals.
In short, Biden’s blunders may be a rare moment of unity for Democrats, but they are also a moment of opportunity for Republicans. It’s time for them to seize it and show the American people that they are the party of clear and effective communication.