Dear Joe Biden Is Trending On Social Media – Are His Supporters Really Interested In Healing The Nation?

“Dear Joe Biden” is making the rounds on Twitter, and it began after consumer advocate and environment activist Erin Brockovich penned an op-ed for the Guardian newspaper titled, “Dear Joe Biden: are you kidding me?” In the article she questioned how the President-Elect could tap a former DuPont consultant to join his Environmental Protection Agency transition board.

While Brockovich’s letter was actually just the latest of “Dear Joe” style letters that have been appearing since Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 Presidential race, soon after the story was posted the tweets began in earnest. Many were simply declarations of support, but what the tweets also highlighted is how deeply divided this nation is following such a contested election.

Twitter user Wes Lassiter (@lassiter_wes) was among those who simply offered congratulations and support, “Dear Joe Biden Almost 80 million voters support you and you won the Electoral College by a landslide. We will have your back 100% of the time.”

Others were far more hostile and showed what seemed to have little to no interest in anything close to reconciliation – forgetting that more than 70 million Americans voted for Trump, while the GOP also gained House seats and likely will maintain control of the Senate.

Author Rob Greene (@rwwgreene) took a hard line that urged President-Elect Biden not to work towards reconciliation, “Dear Joe Biden, remember how Pres. Obama blew his first 100 days (aka the honeymoon) by trying to make nice with the Republicans? Don’t do that.”

Greene was among those who seem to believe the President-Elect will have powers that enable him not to work with the other side. Without compromise in such a divided country, such actions will likely just further widen that divide and lead to political gridlock.

Even as Biden has said he doesn’t want his presidency to be consumed by investigations of his predecessor, which he suggested could further divide the country he is trying to unite, some of his supporters are calling for such efforts to be made. @rhodafromfloda suggested, “Dear Joe Biden Since Republicans are the ‘law and order’ crowd, we say prosecute criminal trump and his enablers to the fullest extent of the law. And don’t be too nice when you put them in the police car- per Trump.”

Not All Friendly

There was plenty of anger directed at Biden as well. One ex-democrat user (@Sob916) called out the President-Elect, “You promised the American people in the last debate you would not claim the presidency until every state was certified! What happened to that promise? another #LyinBiden!”

@goodyweaver cited Brockovich’s letter and added, “LMAO at mainstream libs and progressives suddenly realizing Biden is appointing a bunch of lobbyists, destroyers, and fascists to his cabinet – and being SURPRISED at this occurrence.”

@FlandersOFC added, “Dear Joe Biden nobody is surprised you’re as corrupt as all the other presidents. People claiming otherwise are naive and stupid. You do you but make sure the drone strikes slow down bud.”

Others who seem to support Biden in principal were vocal about his picks for his transition team, especially on an issue as important as the environment.

“Dear Joe Biden, your job is to represent the people, not corporations. Figure it out,” tweeted @HangDangle.

The sentiment was shared by @vsansome, “Dear Joe Biden, I voted you because I believed in you and hate trump, but I am first and foremost an environmentalist, so picking someone who worked to defend those who destroy the planet is a horrible look and does weaken my confidence in you.”

Will Biden Listen

The question is whether Biden or even anyone on his team even pays attention to such tweets. The fact remains however that just as corporations now face the wrath of a tweet or social media comment that can go viral, these recent “Dear Joe Biden” messages serve to show what the actual populace is thinking even before President-Elect Biden is sworn in.

If anything perhaps politicians could use social media as a way to see how the voters actually feel. Biden should now take the time now to suggest to his supporters to focus on reconciliation not retribution, while also heeding the advice not only of those who penned an op-ed but those who read it as well.