As the Democratic Party scrambles for a figurehead—a spokesperson who can articulate a vision for the party and win back supporters in the “blue wall” states that Trump breached in 2016—Democrats have a much-needed second chance to pit these two pull-no-punches scrappers against each other. Somehow, Joe Biden needs to be in a position where he can take on Trump personally.
It’s a task he’s already embraced with vigor. Recently, after the president-elect took to Twitter to complain about “the many inflammatory President O[bama] statements and roadblocks” during the transition, Biden promptly responded on TV. “Grow up, Donald,” he growled, a brushoff worthy of Trump’s own Twitter account.
A good next step for Biden would be embracing Twitter, taking to the medium that Trump has made his de facto platform for all public statements. The Vice President is already one of the most recognizable presences on Twitter—having spawned a cottage industry of memes that play on his friendship with President Obama, his mischievous personality, and his fondness for aviator sunglasses. Come Januuary 21, free from the burdens of social-media consultants and layers of bureaucratic approval that can make Twitter accounts go stale, the former vice president himself should make @JoeBiden a destination for spontaneous, quick, caustic (and occasionally good-humored) parrying with Donald Trump and his surrogates.
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