The stark contrast between President Joe Biden’s handling of the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s response has left no doubt that Biden is ill-equipped to lead the country. While Biden focused on honoring Corey Comperatore, a hero who lost his life while shielding his family from the shooter’s bullets, he failed to acknowledge a crucial aspect of Comperatore’s character that Shapiro did not hesitate to highlight.
Comperatore, a volunteer firefighter and father, was an avid supporter of Trump, a fact that Shapiro proudly acknowledged. This distinction is vital to the political health of our nation, as it underscores the importance of recognizing the humanity of political opponents. Unfortunately, Biden’s political strategy is built on a binary framework that portrays the election as a struggle between good and evil, rather than a nuanced discussion of policy differences.
Biden’s rhetoric has repeatedly painted Trump and his supporters as a threat to the country, a narrative that is antithetical to the values of statesmanship and bipartisanship. In recent speeches, he has characterized Trump as an existential threat to democracy, freedom, and the nation itself. Last week, he told donors, “it’s time to put Trump in the bull’s-eye.” This kind of rhetoric is not only divisive but also dangerous, as it can fuel further polarization and hostility.
In contrast, Shapiro’s words were a breath of fresh air, acknowledging the desire among voters to rise above the hateful rhetoric and find common ground. Similarly, Representative Jared Golden’s statement emphasized the importance of presenting a realistic portrayal of the election, rather than misrepresenting it as a battle between democracy and authoritarianism.
The shooting serves as a stark reminder that our country needs leaders who can tone down the rhetoric and focus on finding solutions that benefit all Americans, regardless of their political beliefs. Unfortunately, it appears that we are stuck with a president who is more interested in scoring political points than in promoting unity and civility.
