Photo Credit: New York Post
Joe Biden’s speech at the Democratic National Committee’s gathering in Chicago was billed as a rallying cry for unity and progress, but it felt more like a familiar refrain from an administration struggling to bridge the gap between lofty promises and the realities on the ground. The speech, while polished and passionate in parts, ultimately fell short in addressing the pressing concerns of millions of Americans who feel left behind by this administration’s policies.
Biden once again touted his administration’s accomplishments, from infrastructure projects to job creation and climate initiatives. However, a closer look at these so-called wins reveals that the real picture appears far more complex. The infrastructure projects, while long overdue, have not happened due to bureaucratic red tape, and many question whether the money has been spent efficiently. Meanwhile, rising costs and inflation continue to eat away at the economic gains the administration loves to highlight.
On the jobs front, Biden claimed credit for creating millions of jobs, but many of these arrived simply as the result of the economy reopening after the pandemic, not a product of innovative or forward-thinking policies. Moreover, the labor market remains strained as businesses, particularly small ones, struggle to find workers, facing increased regulatory burdens, imposed wage increases, and rising costs. The administration’s policies seem to favor large corporations and government expansion at the expense of the small businesses that are the backbone of our economy.
Biden also used his time in Chicago to remind the audience of his commitment to climate change, yet his push for aggressive environmental policies has put a strain on traditional energy sectors and, by extension, on middle-class families. Gas prices remain high, and many Americans are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet as energy costs rise, all while the administration pushes for electric vehicles and green energy solutions that remain out of reach for many. And with energy blackouts on the increase, how would Americans charge their cars in an emergency?
One of the most glaring omissions in Biden’s speech was any substantive plan to address the crisis at our southern border. Illegal immigration continues to surge, placing enormous pressure on border states and communities nationwide. Biden’s vague promises of comprehensive immigration reform do little to reassure Americans who worry about national security, the rule of law, and the costs of hosting millions with billions of dollars while not taking care of our own citizens’ basic needs.
The President also made overtures to the Democratic base on issues like healthcare, gun control, and voting rights, but these remarks felt more like campaign rhetoric than concrete policy proposals. What became notably absent: any real outreach to the other side of the aisle. If Biden and his chosen successor really wants to govern a divided nation, they need to do more than pay lip service to unity—they must show a willingness to compromise and engage with conservatives on the issues that matter to them.
Biden’s speech in Chicago accurately describes the shortcomings of his one-term presidency: long on promises, short on results. The American people need solutions, not just rhetoric. Inflation, energy costs, the border crisis, national security, and wars in Europe and the Middle East represent real and present dangers. The President’s failure to adequately address these issues in his speech means Kamala Harris cannot drop the baton that Biden has handed her. After her honeymoon in Chicago, and as the country gears up for presidential debates and the November general election, the Vice President will have to do more than deliver familiar talking points and personal attacks on opponents if she hopes to win back the trust of the American people.
Ronald Reagan once said, “The most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government and I’m here to help.” After listening to Biden’s speech, one can’t help but feel that the government’s help has been more of a hindrance lately. America deserves better, and it’s time for leadership that prioritizes results over rhetoric.
