7 Comments
User's avatar
⭠ Return to thread
Jeff Carpenter's avatar

I've been thinking about Churchill since reading Biden's latest speeches... Biden has found his voice in this campaign against Putin, against autocracy, just as Churchill finally found his stride in addressing the horrors of Hitler. I believe Biden is calling out in a way that we've not heard from an American leader since Martin Luther King. I believe we're witnessing a legend in the making, one that can turn the tides that have been threatening our democracy at home.

Expand full comment
JDinTX's avatar

If only Rupert were on our side, and the MAGAts, of course.

Expand full comment
Jeff Carpenter's avatar

Biden, deceptively cunning politician that he has become, seems to have taken just the right steps to force Rupert to be his megaphone.

Expand full comment
gildedtwig's avatar

Jeff, I have been thinking about Biden along the same lines. Churchill was unexpectedly the right man for his moment, and I believe he, too, was considered old and washed up. When I was little I listened to recordings of Churchill’s speeches rallying the English. Biden is no Churchill in tone and cadence. But, lately, he has spoken with a similar conviction and certainty that the forces of good will triumph over evil that echo that rhetorical master. The SOTU performance and trip to Ukraine - both came at me like quick 1-2 punches. Both were unexpected and astonishing in their own ways. And have given me hope that Biden just may have what it takes to be the leader - at home and abroad - we need in this perilous moment.❤️🤍💙

Expand full comment
TCinLA's avatar

Churchill was indeed "old and washed-up" and considered something of a "crank" on the topic of Hitler, who he had been railing against from the back benches of Parliament since 1935. He was 65 when he became Prime Minister, and was not wanted by the Tory Establishment or George VI (who had been as much a toady to Hitler as was his older brother, until - events).

William Manchester's "The Last Lion" is a good history of Churchill-in-exile.

"Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years," a 1981 miniseries, is worth checking out.

"Darkest Hour" with Gary Oldman unrecognizable in makeup as Churchill, tells the story of the month between his taking the PM and giving the "Blood Toil Tears and Sweat" speech. Also very good.

And yes, there are "men for their time," - Churchill, FDR, and now Biden, whose previous "weaknesses" that kept them from power were the exact strengths they needed when they came to office.

Expand full comment
Jeff Carpenter's avatar

Thanks; I didn't know about the 1981 miniseries. Looking forward to seeing it.

Expand full comment
Jeff Carpenter's avatar

Brava, oh, gilded one!

Expand full comment