How Biden resets the race during a pandemic

That goes to something deeper than specific policies—an aura of leadership which reassures and inspires. Senator Sherrod Brown is both a highly successful practicing politician and a student of history. One model that Biden could consider, Brown told me, is FDR: His first campaign for president depended less on particulars than the persistent embodiment of humanity and resolve. This spirit plays to Biden’s strengths.

Brown suggests that Biden’s policy statements should be short, crisp, and specific—therefore, memorable. He can also highlight governors from both parties, such as Andrew Cuomo and Mike DeWine, for their effective implementation of public health measures which pose implicit contrasts with Trump’s erratic posturing. And he should praise and support the efforts of the private organizations and individuals who exemplify our resilience in the face of crisis.