Chocolate Chips: Joe Biden’s “Sweet” Diplomacy with Members of Congress

WASHINGTON – Photos always make him look so presidential: Joe biden seated in a high-backed chair, surrounded by members of Congress invited to a meeting at the White House.

But inside the Oval Office, lawmakers tell a different story, that of a warm, engaged, and spirited president – standing, sitting, calling lawmakers by name, swapping stories about their hometown – and determined to bring them to life. make it work and get things done.

As you walk through the door They’re offered a chocolate chip cookie, North America’s most snacks, and a push for a possible partnership between this White House and Congress.

“It was the day they will remember, not so much for being in the Oval Office, but for the attention the President gave us, the personalized attention, the commitment, the authenticity and the seriousness of being. caring about people, and especially people. who have been marginalized, ”said Representative Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.

“Very presidential with a personal style”, He said.

The approach is nothing out of the ordinary. New presidents often invite lawmakers to the White House at the start of an administration to set the stage for the next term.

Donald Trump has held impromptu White House sessions on a variety of topics at informal, often televised gatherings. Barack Obama has taken a more measured approach, although he has softened visits to the White House too much with M&M candy.

Biden received more than 100 lawmakers for a visit in his first 100 days, Republicans and Democrats. Partly for getting to know each other, part for strategizing, private meetings are often seen as a bit of political theater, so all parties seem to at least be doing their best.

But unlike his immediate predecessors, Biden is a congressional veteran, who not only knows many lawmakers personally, but also understands the rhythms of his working days on Capitol Hill.

Sending them with their pockets full of cookies wrapped in the Presidential Gold Seal doesn’t hurt either, a little diplomacy to bring back to Congress.

“President Biden has always believed in involving Congress as an egalitarian arm of government,” said Representative Joe Neguse of D-Colorado, a growing member of the party’s leadership, who shared his cookies with his staff. “And the proof is in the results: his agenda went through Congress very quickly.”

AP Agency

AP