PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN

I am a BIG fan of Project Runway in years gone by.  My favorite character is Tim Gunn.  He plays the Power of Love role in the series. It may seem ridiculous to compare President Joe Biden and Tim Gunn but they have a similar approach.

Tim Gunn’s function on the reality show is as a caretaker or a mentor. He prods people to do what is “best for them.” He encourages them to take advantage of opportunities and do their best. He soothes hurt feelings. He encourages people to be patient and giving toward others. He anticipates others’ needs.  Gunn does this par excellence with all his “designers.”

His catchphrases express his care and concern:  “Talk to me”,  “This worries me”, “Designers, gather around”, “Group Hug”, and “Carry on”. President Biden is also a Power of Love character and is most often described as compassionate, caring, and empathetic.

Power of Love

Power of Love characters— often soft and gentle on the outside— are made of strong, even steely, stuff on the inside.  There is an iron fist in their velvet glove. These characters can be interfering, domineering, dictatorial, and obsessive when they believe they know what is best for others.

Fictional Character Dark Side Character

For example, You is a 10-episode Netflix series that veers from Millenial meet cute Rom-Com to creepy cyberstalker tale. The protagonist, Joe Goldberg, is a toxic Power of Love character. He lavishes his attention and affection on aspiring writer, Beck, ostensibly to help her career. But in reality, to exercise control, gain dominance over her, and conquer her heart. Joe is a compelling Dark Side Power of Love male lead. He is soft, gentle, compliant, helpful on the outside—but made of strong, even steely, stuff on the inside, with a heavy dose of the psychopath.

Tim Gunn and President Biden

Tim Gunn never goes anywhere near that Dark Side extreme. But he also doesn’t ever hesitate to deliver the harsh truth needed to improve a contestant’s work.  (And some of his charges DO experience his advice as domineering and/or dictatorial). Notably, those are usually the ones who lose out on a challenge.  The man has a good eye and sincerely wants to bring out the best in everyone under his strong and capable wing.

Joe Biden is also firmly on the side of light.  He is the “Consoler in Chief” during this time of devastating loss of life. He encourages the country to pull together and do better: “Build Back Better.” He never hesitates to reach out to someone in the crowd who needs his help. His critics thought he was too soft to be a leader– They discount the iron fist in that velvet glove.

How all these good qualities (strengths) turn to faults (weaknesses) is when these characters are so sure what is best for others that they don’t listen and become domineering “for the greater good.” It will be interesting to watch Joe Biden’s Presidency unfold.

   To learn more about the Power of Love Character click HERE