RUTHFULLY YOURS

The remarks that followed weren’t encouraging. He characterized the Senate’s coronavirus relief bill as “a plan that let big corporations off the hook,” and “a $500 billion slush fund for corporations, with almost no conditions.” This rhetoric about slush funds is straight from the antibusiness left.

Does Mr. Biden not understand the problem that companies are facing? They have to figure out how to remain solvent until the health crisis ends, otherwise nobody will be left to turn the lights back on. Under Nancy Pelosi’s coronavirus bill, companies that take federal aid would be put under a permanent $15 minimum wage. Adding such strings to emergency funding will make businesses reluctant to accept the relief, even if they really need it.

Mr. Biden went on to insist that “Social Security checks need to be boosted now” and “student debt should be forgiven for now.” He had more details in a Sunday tweet, saying that any coronavirus relief legislation “should forgive a minimum of $10,000/person of federal student loans, as proposed by Senator Warren and colleagues.”

Why is Mr. Biden working so hard to make himself look like a junior partner of the congressional wing of his party? He ought to be trying to show voters he is capable of leading the country with his own vision.

Admittedly, Mr. Biden is in a tough political spot. President Trump is doing live coronavirus briefings from the White House, standing next to the government’s top emergency managers. Mr. Trump rambles on too much at his briefings, but Americans see him in action. Fifty percent of Americans say Mr. Trump has done a “good job” handling the virus, and only 45% say a “bad job,” according to a Monmouth poll this week.

Mr. Biden is stuck in Delaware, trying to get attention. Here’s a thought. He could tell the progressive wing of his party to quit playing games with the coronavirus aid. Aside from making real news and showing voters his independence, it would help the country.