Arthur Solomon

January 20 will mark one year since Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States. Even prior to taking the oath of office there were major differences between his actions and that of Donald Trump, the twice-impeached, former president that he defeated.

Here are a few of the most oblivious ones. 

Biden said numerous times that he takes responsibility for his actions, even when they were not popular (as in the Afghan evacuation). Trump never thought he did wrong.

Trump was always on the attack. Biden mostly speaks about issues.

Trump's press secretaries always attacked members of the media that they disagreed with. Biden's press secretary never does that. I have to assume that the difference in dealing with the media between the Trump administration and Biden's comes from the top.

Biden shows empathy and caring. Trump never does.

Biden has class. Trump has crass.

Biden's recent  "taking it to all the people" strategy reminds me of what Truman did, as described in David McCullough’s 1992 biography, which I currently am rereading parts of.  Many of Biden's recent tactics are similar to those of Truman.

Trump’s strategy is still targeted to his “always Trumpers,” even though he lost the popular vote when he ran for reelection by more the 7-million voters.

When I was much younger, during my first PR job at a political agency, an old political strategist told me that voters like it when a candidate comes out swinging for policies, as long as the voters agree with those policies. Biden is now beginning to act like a candidate and more people seem to like what he is doing.

In 1959 the song “What a Diff'rence a Day Makes” became a hit as sung by DinahWashington, Today’s many Americans are saying, “What a Diff'rence a Day (and A Year) Makes.”And it made a big difference.

Despite what the talking heads and  cable pundits say, it’s way too early to know if the year 2021 was a hit or miss for President Joe Biden. History shows that they really don’t know what they’re talking about.

Don’t take my word for it. Ask Hillary Clinton.

About the Author: Arthur Solomon, a former journalist, was a senior VP/senior counselor at Burson-Marsteller, and was responsible for restructuring, managing and playing key roles in significant national and international sports and non-sports programs. He now is a frequent contributor to public relations publications, consults on public relations projects and was on the Seoul Peace Prize nominating committee.  He can be reached at arthursolomon4pr@juno.com.