Some things Biden could do cosmetically on campaign trail.

[Funtatlaguy]

Over my career, I’ve had the opportunity to help people with public speaking. From those years of study, if I was advising President Biden, here’s a few suggestions that I’d give to him and his staff.

Speak slower. Much slower. He stumbles much less when he does and he is able to more succinctly stress important points.
Take more pauses between thoughts or topics (Obama used this very well).
Don’t squint. People like to see your eyes. So, indoors, staff shouldn’t have key lighting right at his teleprompter site line.
When speaking outdoors directly into the sun on sunny days, put on the sunglasses. 😎
Make a joke about how Jill says he looks cool in them as “Dark Brandon”.
Smile 😃 more. He has a great smile. It warms him and his audience.

[Walleye]

1. Good suggestions, apparently "optics" are more important than policies sometimes

[Alliepoo]

13. A lot of times the initial,

Or even in this case , continuing optics matter more than we think they should. Don’t get me wrong- I adore Joe Biden but he looks and sounds frail. He just does. I agree with you about policy but people that don’t follow politics closely aren’t going to pay much attention to a frail old man. Initial impressions of someone go a long way. If there is a way for him to appear more vital he should pursue it and the sooner the better. Tsf understands optics and uses it to his advantage. As ridiculous as he looks he appears to be more hale and hearty than Biden. The tan, the hair color the loud voice, the stupid dancing- all annoying as hell to us that pay attention to politics but to newbies and those that aren’t necessarily political, who do you think they’re going to pay more attention to? Hes a charlatan and he knows how to play the game. Optics really do matter. I hope I haven’t upset anyone but it’s worrisome.

[Walleye]

18. I can't begin to imagine how other people perceive trump. I am blinded by hatred of him.

Joe, on the other hand, as the old Lindsey Graham once said, is the nicest guy you’d ever meet in politics

[OMGWTF]

32. The old Lindsey Graham also said if you don't like Joe Biden there's something wrong with you.

That was before he became TSF's butt buddy.

[enough]

2. Speak louder. He doesn't have to shout, but sometimes it seems he's talking to himself.

[nevergiveup]

8. I so totally agree with you on this.

When he is speaking I am always yelling at the TV or computer screen "SPEAK UP". It is really frustrating because I know I am not the only one that finds this frustrating. I get the impression that Biden is very sensitive about anything relating to his speech issues and his staff is afraid to offer any suggestions.

[PatSeg]

25. He used to speak louder and more forcefully

He has slowed down quite a bit and some of it may have been intentional. I think he chooses to be more careful and thoughtful these days as he had a reputation for making gaffes. He undoubtedly realizes that as President, everything he says carries a great deal of weight.

Biden has worked for years overcoming his stutter. Anything he does now could be part of that process.

[Walleye]

28. That's exactly right, I think. He doesn't come back with comments as quickly because he has to be a diplomat now

[PatSeg]

31. Yes, that's how I see it

He's taken a lot of flack over the years for his misstatements and now he knows everything he says is part of history. He's not likely to get another chance.

When a president makes a mistake, it often reverberates for years to come. I can imagine how hard it must be to carefully choose every word that comes out of your mouth.

[Johnny2X2X]

3. Yoga

I would have had him in Yoga long ago. He is 81, he walks stiffly. Flexibility is huge for him, doing Yoga 5 times a wek would really help his gait when walking.

[Funtatlaguy]

5. That's a great idea. He does have a slow gait. Chondroitin might help.

[Demsrule86]

19. From what I hear he has neuropathy and likely has some numbness in his feet. By husband has the progressive kind.

[PatSeg]

23. Also, prior to the inauguration,

Joe was roughhousing with one of the dogs and broke his foot. It hasn't been the same since. Possibly never had time to heal properly.

[tavernier]

35. Exactly.

I remember that very well. But apparently, a lot of people don’t because they blame his slow gate on age instead of a broken bone.

[PatSeg]

36. Yes, it was common knowledge at the time

but it has been conveniently forgotten. I'm getting tired of all the ageism, especially as I'm getting older as well.

[Omnipresent]

4. I'm sure his staff tries to get him to do different things, but at the end of the day, he will only...

Accept what they say, as suggestions.

[Funtatlaguy]

6. True. If he'd only accept one, it should be to speak slower.

[CrispyQ]

7. Run a "Which grandpa?" ad.

Grandpa's gonna be president, so which grandpa do you want?

[Siwsan]

12. Dark Brandon vs Humpty Dumpty

[wnylib]

14. Excellent! Without theatrical pancake makeup and a suit jacket over him,

Trump looks decrepit and much older than Biden.

This photo comparison should be used in ads, with the question of which grandpa people prefer. Add to it a comparison of who has done what for the American people (or to the American people in Trump's case).

Do you prefer the grandpa who let thousands of Americans die of covid or the grandpa who saved lives by making PPE and vaccines available?

Etc.

ON EDIT:

Use stock photos of Trump in golf clothes and other available, standard news pics that show his age and bulk without makeup to avoid accusations of photos being doctored.

[Alliepoo]

22. They should run an ad like this incessantly.

Unfortunately the svelte bike riding Biden isn’t the one that’s usually up for public consumption. The ignorant media loves to use this only when Biden falls off his bike or stumbles and falls or his slower, stiffer gait and folks are left with the impression that he’s nothing but an old peepaw. Comparing fit, bike riding Biden with slobfather tsf would be a good ad!

[Iwasthere]

9. GET GLASSES!! It would make a huge difference. Hard to see the squinting

[A Brand New World]

15. I have thought this for a long time. He would look very distinguished and handsome with glasses.

He does have small eyes and I think it would balance his face out.

[Demsrule86]

10. Please stop...Biden has a stutter and he is a very good campaigner...enough. Stop believing Rightie bullshit.

Biden is fine

[Cuthbert Allgood]

11. As someone who teaches college speech/communication classes,

there is room for improvement. Especially when the optics are important this elections. Like that or don't, it is an issue. He should be listening to those around him that are helping him improve those optics.

Is he a better speaker than Trump? Of fucking course. But we know from history that "who you gonna vote for? that guy?" doesn't always work.

[Demsrule86]

21. I hated communications in College. On day one, we were told that an A is perfection and no one can attain perfection.

He made you wear ridiculous clothing for presentations and graded women on how 'they put themselves together.' I loathed him and still do. My Mom dressed me so I passed muster...got a B+ I am not saying you are like that...it just reminded me. It was not limited to social science either. My Analytical Chemistry teacher told me women need to leave openings for men who have to support a family. At the time, I was a single mother. I hope it is better for women in science and other disciplines today. But I digress sorry.

[newdayneeded]

17. The mayor of DU has spoken!

All is well, there's zero problems with Biden's speech or walk!

[awesomerwb1]

37. I don't listen to rightie bullshit

And I agree with the thoughtful OP.

There is room for improvement on a number of things. Believing "everything's 120% great as it is" is not the way to go. 'Enough"...

[betsuni]

16. Won't make a bit of difference, they'll just complain about something else.

Democrats literally have to be perfect for some reason.

I need to see this again:

[Sogo]

20. Spot on.

I hope someone from his campaign reads DU....

[ancianita]

24. Good advice to pass on to his campaign chair. Particularly the open eyes and big smile.

Thanks.

[underpants]

26. I agree about the lights in his eyes.

[erronis]

27. Good suggestions. The top one in my list is the "pregnant pause" or "thoughtful moment"

Obama did manage to hold on to his audience who knew that what followed would be worth waiting for.

I actually think Joe is a good speaker and engaging. But slowing down somewhat might also help everyone digest the content better.

[c-rational]

29. One of the things Ihave learned about communication is that when speaking, a majority of what

gets communicated is non-verbal. President Biden has great posture, and great command/understanding of the issues. Joe does great and he is continually improving. Your suggestoins about lighting and using shades is noted. May the force be with him.

[Bayard]

30. I get the impression sometimes,

That he's reading as fast as he can from a teleprompter. And he looks side to side, instead of into the camera when making important points.

Yes, Joe--slow down, engage your audience more. And stride briskly to the stage (as much as possible,) instead of looking down at your feet.

[maxsolomon]

33. Constructive criticism of Biden? On DU?

Surprised no one's here pointing out DU Rules on supporting Dems.

[enough]

38. We are not a cult.

[maxsolomon]

39. I've been regularly scolded for violating the "support dems" rule.

And alerted on.

I didn't say it was a cult.

[Mr.Bee]

34. Your Choice; Ol' Joe or Demensia Don

I'll take Ol' JOE!