What Joe Biden Could Learn from Betty White
 |
Ms. Cottle writes about national politics for Opinion and is a host of the podcast “Matter of Opinion.
The New York Times
In American politics, there is a difference between being old and seeming old — especially when a
In American politics, there is a difference between being old and seeming old — especially when appearing on TV. In her younger political years, Nancy Pelosi was not great in front of the cameras, but she has since morphed into a master of the medium. At 84, she conveys zip, sparkle, and flair. She looks as if she’s having fun and, as often as not, as though she is itching to put someone in his place.
Hillary Clinton, 76, increasingly seems like your salty, no-nonsense aunt. Bernie Sanders is old and super cranky but often shows more passion on the Sunday morning news programs than people half his 82 years. Donald Trump is old, but you don’t often notice he’s 78 through all the yelling. On TV, he looks ready to burst through your screen — which I find unsettling, but his fans really seem to enjoy.
Then there’s Joe Biden, whose urgent challenge in the high-stakes presidential debate on Thursday is precisely this: how to be old on TV without seeming old — or worse, elderly.
Mr. Biden is an effective president, but most people don’t watch how someone looks, sounds, and moves on TV and think purely about his policy record. And “old” in itself is not necessarily a bad thing. Coming across like an old friend, an old hand or even a grumpy old man can have plenty of upsides, conveying warmth, experience, humor, or a self-deprecating touch. appearing on TV. In her younger political years, Nancy Pelosi was not great in front of the cameras, but she has since morphed into a master of the medium. At 84, she conveys zip, sparkle, and flair. She looks as if she’s having fun and, as often as not, as though she is itching to put someone in his place.
Hillary Clinton, 76, increasingly seems like your salty, no-nonsense aunt. Bernie Sanders is old and super cranky but often shows more passion on the Sunday morning news programs than people half his 82 years. Donald Trump is old, but you don’t often notice he’s 78 through all the yelling. On TV, he looks ready to burst through your screen — which I find unsettling, but his fans really seem to enjoy.
Then there’s Joe Biden, whose urgent challenge in the high-stakes presidential debate on Thursday is precisely this: how to be old on TV without seeming old — or worse, elderly.
Mr. Biden is an effective president, but most people don’t watch how someone looks, sounds, and moves on TV and think purely about his policy record. And “old” in itself is not necessarily a bad thing. Coming across like an old friend, an old hand or even a grumpy old man can have plenty of upside, conveying warmth, experience, humor, or a self-deprecating touch.
Comments