One thing that really struck me in the aftermath of the assassination attempt was the ineptness of Biden’s response. While comments and condemnations were pouring in from foreign leaders, political leaders, former presidents Obama and Bush, etc., there was nothing coming from the White House. Silence. It was almost two full hours from the time of the attempted assassination until Biden said anything. And then he said it in a post on X.
Why so long? It is the weekend, so Biden was in Delaware like usual. His weekly retreat from public life. We have long speculated about why he needs so many days of seclusion. And when something big happened, he was silent. He didn’t step outside the door and express condolences to the gaggle of reporters. He didn’t immediately address the nation. He didn’t issue a statement. For almost two hours, there was nothing.
What if it wasn’t a failed assassination attempt? What if Russia had dropped a nuke on Poland? If it’s a Saturday evening, is Biden capable of mustering the energy and mental acuity to respond in moments? In hours? I don’t think he is.
On Saturday he finally went to the podium for about four minutes to read some comments off the teleprompter. He didn’t take any questions. He flubbed some of the reading. But the most striking thing was watching him leave the podium. His lower arms were extended and his hands flopping toward the ground. He moves so, so slowly with the shuffle of a much older man. He hesitated. He twisted a bit. His movements were hesitant and confused. Biden is not a well man.
Yesterday we got the Oval Office address. Again, he was just reading. He still flubbed multiple times and seemed to get a bit lost. Irrespective of the content, which was not good, the delivery was a mess. He does not inspire confidence. He does not project competence. I’ve seen Biden talk in various settings for my entire adult life. He knew how to do these things once. He no longer does. He is no longer capable.
When the proverbial 3 AM call came, Biden was not able to pick up the phone.
Shane Gillis’ bit about him turning into a Roomba when leaving a podium is spot on!
Now that they’ve rallied their crazies to action we’re supposed to buy the notion that they sincerely seek a cooling of the rhetoric? Nah, not for a hot second. It’s going to get even uglier between now and the election.
For almost two hours, there was nothing.
C’mon, man! The shooting occurred after 6:00 pm. That had to wake him up, get him outta his jammie’s, get a suit on him, and apply the chemical tan.
Best part (Orfull Orffice address): “So, tonight, I’m asking every American to recommit to make America… so – make America… what it… think about it. What’s made America so special?”
MAGA!