For @potus, unity means acts of atonement and forgiveness, accountability, good faith arguments & negotiation, restoring norms of regular government and inter-branch comity, and getting the pandemic under control. It does NOT mean capitulation or accepting bad-faith premises.

This was clear during his inaugural address. It’s not a performative unity to satisfy those who would never be satisfied anyway. It’s an assertive government agenda with a POV. That’s compatible with working with Republicans in good faith.

The American Rescue package and other Biden priorities will be taken up by Congress and altered to accommodate Dem and GOP political exigencies. Unity can’t mean “we throw a bone to the other side.” Biden’s world acknowledges that the “other side” has plenty of bones already.

Substantively, the legislative strategy for the American Rescue plan first envisions reach-out and discussions with Republican Senators, which is what Biden is already doing. If that doesn’t work, budget reconciliation.

On China and on Iran, Biden is not acting as if he’s an emperor unbound by political restraints. He has NOT weighed on ending the filibuster or adding justices to the Court. Determining good faith and bad faith actors is not as easy as it looks but it’s essential.