Oklahoma Democrat and GOP Leaders React To President Biden's Address

Oklahoma County Democrats Optimistic After President Biden’s Address 

The Vice President of the Oklahoma County Democratic Party said President Biden’s words reminded him of the late John F. Kennedy. Jay Bridwell referred to Biden’s phrase “to pass the torch to a new generation.” Kennedy used those words in his inaugural address in 1961 when he talked about passing leadership responsibilities to the future of our communities. 

Bridwell watched Wednesday night’s address with his family at his home in Edmond. He said Biden’s words offer him hope during a rocky political climate. 

Bridwell said he could feel the energy inside his party again. Bridwell was optimistic about the future with the change to Vice President Kamala Harris potentially leading the top of the Democratic ticket. He said this election year offers Americans a chance to bring fresh ideas to the White House.  

“What is your purpose and what do you aspire to be? Bridwell said. “As long as we continue to navigate toward an opportunity for a black woman from California to be the next president of the United States, that opens up so many possibilities for others in like communities.” 

Apart from politics, Bridwell cherished chances to be with his family watching the evening news and listening to the President speak from the Oval Office. The decades worth of news over the past two weeks brought back old traditions.

Bridwell used to watch the news with his late parents as a child. He said the public needs to restore the lost art of civic engagement regardless of political ideals. 

Republican Reaction To Biden Address

Republicans are paying close attention to the Democratic National Committee following President Biden’s departure from the presidential race, and Kamala Harris’ rise as the presumptive nominee. It follows the RNC convention in Milwaukee, where many speakers aimed their messages toward Biden.

In Oklahoma County, GOP chairman Ken Warner believes Biden’s address carried the same messages democratic leaders have already attached themselves to through the race.

“I would say, this speech tonight, I think is his way of saying goodbye in some ways,” Warner said. “And I don’t know how much his mental acuity will affect the next six months. As far as being president, I don’t necessarily buy into the fact that if he gets out of the race for the presidency for a second term it will compromise him being able to run the country a little bit [longer].”

Warner also expanded on his decision not to call on Biden’s resignation, because it would mean Kamala Harris would immediately step into the remainder of the presidency. Harris, he believes, is farther on the left than Biden.

While Oklahoma is a securely red state, Warner imagines that voters in battleground states will largely be spoken to in the language of economics. While Biden’s administration has underscored achievements to create jobs and stimulate the economy, Warner argues that everyday inflation is too extreme for average Americans to accept Biden’s accomplishments.

“I think Trump is the right pick right now,” Warner said. “Because I think we’re a nation in peril and we’ve got to reestablish ourselves and become the leader of the free world again. And because right now we’re not.”