Biden Acceptance Speech, by Michael Brenner
A former student of mine, who somehow finds herself with the Biden campaign, contacted me last week. Assuring me that Biden is dead set on staying in the race, she explained that she is one of a select group mandated to outline themes for his acceptance speech at the convention. This will be a make-or-break occasion – so, it is imperative that they come up with a memorable address. The President wants it dignified and eloquent, but at the same time inspiring. An oration that will stir the hearts of delegates and voters as well as their minds. Something with words that will echo down through the ages.
She invited me to make a few suggestions. Carried away by the historic significance of the event, I applied myself with such diligence that I ended up drafting an entire speech. Brief, yet powerful. Below.
Cheers
Michael Brenner
mbren@pitt.edu
BIDEN ACCEPTANCE SPEECH
“About eighty years ago, my forebears took the liberty of conceiving a new Biden. From the very first, they were wedded to the proposition that I would turn out to be something pretty special. How right they were.
After having made it big 4 years ago, I’m now back in another contest with the same guy. It’s a test whether I, or any person so predestined to greatness, can pull off the double. We are meeting here to shape the battlefield for that great contest. A mindless media and a distracted public most probably won’t note, nor long remember, what we say here, but they surely will never forget that I managed to make it here – again.
So, as your candidate, I’m rededicating myself to the awesome but still unfinished work which, with your support, I so nobly advanced over the past four years. Let us dedicate ourselves to the great task remaining before us, that from you terrific delegates I will take increased devotion to that cause – my reelection – for which we all have given everything that we had of money, of cunning, of ambition. That we here resolve that those efforts were not a waste of time, that this party, under God, shall have a new birth of success, and that government of the people – if not always by the people or for the people – shall not perish from America.
To our friends and allies abroad, I pledge that America will do what it takes to defend our common values of freedom and democracy. We shall not stint on shedding blood, sweat and tears – even if it be mainly yours.
God bless America! God bless the rule based international order. God bless all of you – even the Palestinians.”
[Take 2: “God bless all of you – except Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela and the Houthis”]