When we talk about someone being "adult" these days, it's usually by comparison to people who are technically adults but who act like children. As I look at the people on the center stage of America now—the Republican clowns in the House, the childishly narcissistic Donald Trump, the juveniles on Fox News, the forever infantile Elon Musk, the fraudulent RFK Jr., the greedy CEOs who are raking in record compensation while refusing to raise the wages of their frontline workers, the spoiled financiers who want to make even bigger bets with other people's money—I'm appalled at how few adults are in the room.
And when I look at people on center stage abroad—at autocrats like Netanyahu, Putin, and Xi, at mindless fanatics like the leaders of Hamas, and at dithering European prime ministers who waver over dependence on Russian oil, aid to Ukraine, and efforts to slow climate change—I'm dismayed by the paucity of adults.
But there is at least one adult in the room, in the American room and the global room: His name is Joe Biden.
While Israel is rudderless and leaderless, Biden gave a pitch-perfect speech about the October 7 massacres, holding Hamas clearly and firmly accountable. Then he said publicly that an Israeli occupation of Gaza would be a "big mistake." And he quietly and shrewdly engaged other Arab heads of state to help keep the lid on.
While Republicans accuse Biden of being responsible for the massacre because of $6 billion promised to Iran in exchange for prisoners (which has not even been delivered), Biden risked his life on a trip to Israel. He showed the Israeli people and the world that America will not back down from its commitment to the safety and sanctity of that country. He brokered a deal with Egypt to allow truckloads of aid into Gaza.
While Republicans belly-ache that Biden has no policy for the Middle East, he negotiated the beginnings of a Saudi-Israeli peace pact that would make considerable concessions to Palestinians. It is the single best opportunity for a more ordinary life for Palestinians and Israelis since the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin and Anwar Sadat, by Israelis and Arabs opposed to peace.
While House Republicans can't select a speaker because they put their own selfish ambitions over the nation's well-being, once again forcing America to risk a government shutdown because of their antics, Biden quietly and competently did the work of governing the nation. His cabinet is talented and committed. His White House staff is one of the best I've seen.
While Republican Senator Thomas Tuberville holds up the nominations of 301 senior military leaders to force changes in the Defense Department's position on equal access to reproductive health care services, Biden remains steadfast in his support for the military and for a woman's right to bodily autonomy.
While Trump and other Republicans pretend to be on the side of average working Americans, all while quietly promising their big corporate backers even more tax cuts, Biden raised the threshold salary for overtime pay, and made it easier to unionize. Biden is the first president in history to walk a picket line.
As House Republicans prepare to impeach him for no reason and drag his son Hunter through the muck of right-wing media, Biden doesn't take the bait. He doesn't attack them or act vindictively, as would his predecessor. He maintains a dignified silence.
As Trump concocts nonstop lies about him, which are then repeated and amplified on Fox News and Newsmax, Biden remains unperturbed.
As the adult in the room, Biden doesn't lash out in ways that make entertaining news clips. He doesn't ridicule his opponents or call them names. He doesn't intentionally lie. He doesn't exaggerate his successes or minimize challenges ahead.
In contrast to his explosive and deranged predecessor (and likely rival for the presidency in the next election), Biden is emotionally mature, even-tempered, sensible.
America and the world need an adult in the room—especially now, when the kids are on a rampage. Fortunately, we have one.
Robert B. Reich is an American political commentator, professor and author. He served in the administrations of Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and Bill Clinton. Reich's latest book, The System: Who Rigged It, How We Fix It, is out now. He also writes regularly at robertreich.substack.com.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
