The ABCs of Joe Biden

And there was critical health care for veterans, from prior service, and efforts for gun safety legislation, through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Jobs — at the end of October, the country had an adjusted unemployment rate of 3.9%, one of the lowest in years. All for our future.

The challenges of Biden’s age: Clint Eastwood is making his next film at 93 and Mick Jagger at 81 is releasing an album. People with stories to tell and music to make … and things to accomplish age differently. Biden has spent more than 40 years dealing with our daily issues very well and his age has only added to his ability.  

When I served our country in Army Special Forces, I learned about getting the job done; it had nothing to do with age and everything to do with leadership. The parachutes and weapons we used during operations didn’t care about the politics or age of our troops. When I take on a legal case or cause, the result has nothing to do with general acceptance, it has to do with the right principles.

BIPARTISAN: Political writer Steve Benen points out that Biden “has racked up more bipartisan victories than any president of either party in a generation.” With a dysfunctional Congress, he championed the bipartisan infrastructure law and worked across the aisle for the bipartisan Safer Communities, Act which works on gun safety legislation affecting the safety of our daily lives — including daily mass shootings.

COMPASSION:  Whether talking to a young boy with a stuttering problem or calling an Amtrak worker on his health, he sees beyond the influence of billionaires. When speaking to the United Auto Workers, he said, “the fact of the matter is that you guys saved the automobile industry back in 2008.” And then Biden walked picket lines to support them in Detroit and brought them tremendous increases in basic wages.

“If you want to see how people are going to vote, look at how they are voting,” Jack Lobel of Voters of Tomorrow said. Recently, young voters turned out in Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky and voted for a woman’s right to an abortion and control of her body. Lobel said “Joe made promises on the campaign trail that he’s absolutely followed through with” — regardless of party. With several grandchildren, he is invested in the future and has a window into Gen Z and beyond.

Biden has an extraordinary team and at the top is an extraordinary woman. Jill Biden is his wife and duplicate, not only as a mother, but as an author and educator. She was the first first lady to maintain a full-time job while in office and teach at a junior college. She works with his staff much like Rosalynn Carter helped Jimmy Carter. She spearheads programs to help military families, visiting veterans across the country, their families and survivors, all to help recognize the work and dedication of our veterans.  

Biden remembers the past. He works for all people, as well as those dependent on Social Security and Medicare. Biden is a person who remembers what civility means and how bipartisanship works. His team of people are committed to the working class and average family versus the executives of the corporate giants and Wall Street.

When we went on an operation in the Army or led service members in our reserves — we didn’t ask their age or politics. When I appear before a judge, I don’t care about their age or social background to obtain justice; I want someone who understands the ABCs of life.

Joe Cotchett is considered by the national press to be one of the 100 top attorneys in the country. He is in the National Trial Lawyers and California Lawyers Hall of Fame. He is a graduate engineer and then a University of California Law graduate. He served in the U.S. Army as an officer and was awarded the Distinguished Legion of Merit for his service and leadership. An author of several books, he is a longtime Peninsula resident.