PERSPECTIVE FROM THE 19^TH HOLE: This is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus to use an image from my favorite sport, golf. Out of college, my first job was as a reporter for the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon, and I went on from there to practice writing in all of my professional positions, including as press secretary in Washington, D.C. for a Democrat Congressman from Oregon, as an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, as press secretary for Oregon’s last Republican governor (Vic Atiyeh), and as a private sector lobbyist. This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing public policy – to what I write.

If you think about it for only a minute, there are huge differences between the person who occupies the Oval Office, Donald Trump, and the person who wants to get there, Joe Biden.

I would be possible to cite many differences, too many to count, but two key differences are:

• Biden has some credibility. Trump has none.
• Biden has some empathy. Trump has none.

If this indicates that I intend to vote for Biden if the presidential race comes down to these two – Trump the reality TV clown and Biden the experienced public servant — so be it. It’s true.

Nowhere have the differences been more evident that in the current and unprecedented coronavirus pandemic.

Washington Post writer Jennifer Rubin pointed this out cogently in her current column:

“Former vice president Joe Biden made the TV rounds on Tuesday, reminding us why so many Democrat voters have rallied to his side. On MSNBC, he showed off his technical knowledge of government (recounting that he long ago recommended use of the Defense Production Act), as well as his empathy for people who have lost loved ones.

“On CNN, Biden scoffed at Trump’s suggestion that we should re-open businesses (presumably schools and everything else, right?) around Easter. The Democrat presidential front-runner essentially pleaded with Trump to put a sock in it and let the experts talk.”

To Rubin, Biden displays nearly every quality and ability Trump lacks: Appreciation for expertise, candor, respect for fellow Americans, empathy, understanding of government, foresight, thoughtfulness, coherence and a reverence for American values and spirit.

“With Trump, who is obsessed with his economic and political fortunes,” Rubin says, “the question is always, what do I gain from this?”

Rubin adds: “It is not that the challenger in a presidential election has more experience, granular knowledge of policy and gravitas than the sitting president. Here, it is not even close. Having spotted the threat of the pandemic and urged the Defense Production Act be activated, Biden already is demonstrating he is more competent than the incumbent. If Americans cannot figure out under these circumstances which candidate has the character and capacity to look after them, then the future of self-governance truly is in doubt.”

Trump had a perfect chance to express empathy and enlightened leadership the other day when a reporter, in a televised press conference, asked what he, Trump, could do to provide reassurance America, something solid leaders do during a crisis. Instead of seizing the opportunity, Trump went after the reporter.

Stupid.

Now, to be fair, Biden has come under criticism lately for agreeing with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer as they negotiated various additions to the coronavirus relief bill that eventually sailed through the Senate on a unanimous vote yesterday.

He should have spoken out against the goodies and said it was time – past time – for Congress to act in statesmanlike way given the unprecedented crisis.

So, in all of this, is Biden perfect?

Of course not. No one is.

While sometimes he talks too much, his authenticity is obvious. Given the trials and tribulations he has faced in his life over the years, with huge losses by death of loved ones, he has an unusual ability to demonstrate empathy.

At this time in America’s history, with our future as a nation in doubt, we need leadership marked by empathy. With Biden, we have a chance to get it. With Trump, we have none.