The Power of Narrative

When we are defined by others, our reality is captured and, in the case of Presidents, dangerously obscured.

One of the oldest clichés of American political studies, if you don’t define yourself, your enemies will.  Put another way, the head winds that any political leader faces are the narratives that are told and retold about a “reality” that does him no favors.   

A narrative is a story book view of the world.  Once created it grows in force as all new events are “cherry picked” to elaborate and support its main themes. 

During the election campaign, our past president began a narrative, characterizing Joe Biden as “Sleepy Joe.”  Biden’s behavior during the pandemic, staying inside and private, added to the story.  His speaking style, perhaps a reminder of his overcoming stuttering when a youth, contributed to the narrative.  All errors in policy and all apparent errors in the execution of policy are then laid at his feet as further evidence of incapacity.  In the eyes of many he has become Théoden, the besotted King of Rohan in the Lord of the Rings, addled by sorcery and whispered to by an evil advisor.

In response, I think we can safely say two things.  The first is that the executive branch of the government is not one man.  Contrary to public belief, studies of the Presidency emphasize the limits of a President’s power.  Executive authority is lodged in a bureaucracy of intersecting offices, some well fortified against Presidential action, and others headed by choices made only partly by the President before and after his inauguration.  In other words, the government is run by seasoned professionals that advise the President, shape alternatives and implement executive branch policy, and thwart as much as enable his policy preferences.

And, second, if you watch Biden more closely, and step back from the narrative, you see a relatively normal human being, tired at times, under considerable pressure, passionate about certain policies and largely successful in some areas during his first months as president. 

That could change.  Presidents age, to the extent they take their duties and responsibilities seriously.  But it is bad journalism and even worse analysis by many who should know better, to accept the present narrative and even contribute to the story.