The Limits of Fatherly Love

Typically, I am all for fatherly love.  It’s almost always a good thing.  But president Biden’s defense of his son Hunter is a rare exception.  I appreciate the impulse to stand behind his son, but the truth of the matter is Hunter has done things that are wrong.  The president has a responsibility to his party, and to the nation, to acknowledge that, no matter how difficult and painful that may be for him personally.  It is not the drug or gun charges that are at stake, but the implication of attempted influence peddling. Even if it becomes clear that he was unable to do so, the mere attempt is going to become a campaign issue.  

Biden has the right to make it clear that he loves his son.  He also has a responsibility to make it clear that if his son attempted to engage in influence peddling, then Hunter must accept the consequences of his actions–addiction or no addiction.  Biden must make it clear that he does not tolerate the kind of behavior his son is accused of, whether he believes his son is innocent or not.  A forceful condemnation of the crimes Hunter is alleged to have engaged in is in order.  Joe Biden needs to tell the world he will never excuse influence peddling, no matter how close it comes to him.

The problem is the appearance that he is in denial about the very serious nature of questions that are being raised about his son’s conduct.  Accusations of impropriety are not unreasonable.  Saying that Hunter will have to face the consequences of his actions if he is found guilty would go a long way toward defusing the situation.  The first lady flatly refusing to believe that Hunter may have done something wrong will not.

Biden runs the risk of allowing the most extreme wing of the Republican party to rally their base around an impeachment inquiry.  And if the Republicans in congress make good on their threats, the issue could become an albatross around Biden’s neck as he goes into the general election.  The White House is being too slow to act and too slow to take the problem seriously.  The fact that it isn’t bothering voters now is irrelevant.  His campaign must look ahead to the future and think about what could be coming down the line.  Just not responding is going to have serious, damaging consequences.  

I firmly believe that Biden has done nothing wrong, and it is very possible that his son is guilty of only minor crimes.  However, the attitude of the White House toward this scandal is difficult for me to understand.  If smacks of an overconfidence that I think is dangerous for Biden’s campaign.  Even if his son has done nothing wrong–which is doubtful–that doesn’t mean that the problem can go on unaddressed.  Everything, even if it persuades just a small percentage of voters, will be important in the future.  Biden must deal effectively with this deeply personal issue.