I'm 67. To my suprise -- he wasn't my first or even second choice in 2020 -- he is one of the most effective presidents, if not THE most, of my lifetime. He played the Republicans like a violin in the debt ceiling argument to the point that some <ahem> think that McCarthy was the winner when, in fact, he got rolled.
This exactly, while I have enjoyed Chris' commentary, I think is all wet about the age thing. Leave it alone. We all know he is old, no need to write or comment about it. Let the ghouls on TOXic News handle that.
The sandbag in Biden’s path that he tripped on, got up and made a jokes about, is the metaphor for the GOP that has tried to trip him with the debt ceiling hazard. The joke is on the sandbag. Biden is smart and gracious enough not to have kicked the sandbag off the stage just as he hasn’t kicked MCCARTHY after eating his lunch.
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY TO ALL, BUT ESPECIALLY TO THOSE WHO GAVE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR THE COUNTRY THEY LOVE, AND TO THOSE IN LINE OF A VERY DIFFERENT, BUT EQUALLY DANGEROUS FIRE, STOPPING THE THREATS OF THE TERRORISTS, MISFITS AND LUNATIC THUGS WHO ARE WORKING FEVERISHLY FROM WITHIN TO OVERTURN AND DESTROY OUR ONCE GREAT COUNTRY, WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN IN GREATER PERIL THAN IT IS RIGHT NOW. WE MUST STOP THE COMMUNISTS, MARXISTS AND FASCIST "PIGS" AT EVERY TURN AND, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
If the choice is between the guy who tripped over a sandbag and the guy who released that inspirational message on our most sacred holiday...
Why don’t you write a column about how Biden deftly handled the debt limit negotiations instead of this nonsense about him tripping over a sandbag that never should have been on stage in the first place. Why don’t you write a column about how Biden is trim, fit, and can ride a bike at the age of 80 whereas Trump is obviously morbidly obese and couldn’t even get on a bike much less ride one. Why don’t you lose the disclaimer that anyone can fall while while continuing to hammer home your thesis that Biden is too old to be President. Biden tripping over a sandbag is a non event. Biden triumphing over McCarthy and the “freedom” caucus in the debt limit negotiations is a BFD. Write about what matters for a change
I am not surprised that you have jumped all over this fall, Chris . But look at the likely alternative— the disgraced, indicted, twice impeached, grifting, lying, criminal. He’s 77, not exactly young. He constantly spews word salad and vengeance., showing every sign of dementia. He is grossly overweight and considers riding in a golf cart to be exercise. I seem to recall physical gaffes from his presidency too. I would rather have a younger Democratic Party nominee, but I don’t see anyone younger with Biden’s savvy.
Unfair or not, this fall will be ALL over Republican attack ads between now and the election. If history is any guide as well, they will be remarkably effective, too.
So, get ready for President Trump 2.0 or President DeSantis, and the end of this country's democracy.
This is wistful thinking to say that this accidental fall will cost President Biden the Presidency. The Republicans will of course make a mountain out of it. But you watch as it will not make any difference . President Biden is going to win re election in 2024
Wasn't there a president back in the 30s and 40s who would have had a hard time getting over a sand bag? According to my late father, FDR turned out to be a pretty good leader. Joe's fastball may top out in the low 80s but he's smart enough to surround himself with capable advisors who he listens to.
In '16 I was a Bernie Bro until the choice became Hillary or the crazy orange guy. In '20 the paramount qualification was electability; it was strictly who can put the crazy orange guy out the Oval Office. Joe was congenial, affable and proved in the debates that he was more than capable. It's damn near impossible to run against an incumbent President of your own party. Ted Kennedy learned that in 1980.
If Joe is the nominee he's got my vote. That said, I'm worried about the lack of successors. Stacy Abrams impresses me, but she's yet to win above the GA state house level. Gretchen Whitmer is a possibility as is NC's Roy Cooper. I'd love to see Michelle Obama run; she might be a more impressive candidate than her husband.
As he said, he got sandbagged. I hardly think the tripping matters. Let's talk about his accomplishments, his ability to lead and to successfully make bipartisan deals. No President has done a better job for as long as I can remember. Outcomes should be what any candidate is judged on.
Infirmity? F you. He tripped over a sandbag. I tripped over my son's shoes when I was 55. Many, many more trips and falls when I was much younger. I agree this doesn't help with perception of Joe's health and age. Neither does your elevating it like some cheap right-wing bullshit er. If Biden loses, you will be among the many I will "thank."
Sorry you disagree. But I think we have two different views. You are a partisan who wants Biden to win. Which is fine! I am a journalist, covering what people think of the candidates and what that means for the broader race.
President Biden’s falls, missteps, gaffes are ripe for the picken, as they say. Trump will have this in all of his attack ads and hammer it home. I am in my 60s and trip, fall, you name it, I’ve done it. However, I am not running for office or in the public eye. We are all human and things happen to us, but this will be hammered by the republicans. Yes, Biden is in his 80s and wish he wasn’t running as I believe that he was the right man for the job in 2020 but think we need someone younger. Who would that be? Not sure, perhaps Whitmer? We need Trump to trip and fall, while in his shackles.
When you are a prominent person and all eyes (& cameras) are on you, it is hard to hide a fall or an illness. Thinking back to GWB where he not only fainted but threw up in Japan. Cameras caught that, of course.
Absolutely agree on always being on camera and weird things happening. But, again, he is the president! He asked for this attention. It's part of the job!
Everyone who wishes Biden weren’t running for Re-election never offers up a plausible path for another candidate to not only win the D nomination, but emerge unscathed enough that they can consolidate the Party and win the general. That is why Biden is running. Those who wish someone else would be the nominee are engaging in wishful thinking
What I can’t understand is how that sand bag wasn’t spotted by his team and removed or tagged somehow given the worries you mention them having. Seems like someone messed up there. I fall like that could have been worse if say, he’d broken his hip. Not unlikely at age 80.
Sometimes I wonder if these stumbles and falls are as important as the media likes (tries) to make them. Of the small percentage of people who might vote for Biden or Trump (how many people can this be?) it’s hard for me to imagine that a fall would be the determining factor. No one who supports Biden today is changing their mind. And no one who supports Trump will either.
I think some people here are defending their individual definition of the fall—and its meaning—with what it might mean to Republican voters. And, most crucially, what the fall might mean to those 100,000 independent voters in 6 states who determine the Presidency. And, I'm thinking, within the incredible stress of a political campaign, that this probably isn't Biden's last trip and fall. As a Democrat voter, I'm very worried about his age. And I'm primarily worried because I've witnessed how fast the aging process can happen.
I understand your POV. But does Biden seem like he’s any different than he was 15 years ago? He certainly doesn’t seem cognitively different. Maybe physically? As an orator, he’s still pretty bad.
His stutter has always played a part of his public speech. And the distance between 65 and 80 is big. I'd say his decline is rather slight and ordinary but that not be how it plays. I'll say it again that it's not my opinion of his cognition that matters. It's those 100,000 moderate voters in 6 swing states.
I am very grateful to President Biden for defeating Trump and I think he has been na successful president. However, perception is reality and he has too many flaws in his campaign for a second term. At this point, he is doing more to enable Trump's return than prevent it. I realize it would be historic but he really needs to drop out while there is still time and hope the party can select a suitable replacement. Thanks for the analysis, Chris!
I can confidently assure you as a Physician that Biden tripping and falling down does not in any way affect his capacity and ability to govern as a President. There should be no controversy about that fact . I know his political opponents and mischief makers would like to raise unnecessary alarms and bring persistent attention to it. Biden's Doctors have consistently told us that he is mentally and physically fit to continue to serve as our President and seek re election in 2024. I believe his Doctors and by the way Biden did not ask his Doctors to say that unlike Trump. Oh by the way there are some other excellent news for America today that probably need more attention than Biden's tripping. For example , excellent job report today and a bipartisan bill( raising the Debt limit) is headed to President Biden's desk for signature today. I can't wait for President Biden's address this pm. Pls make sure you all tune in. Hopefully Chris will give us the most outlandish lines in his speech as well since he is currently the sitting President.
I'm 67. To my suprise -- he wasn't my first or even second choice in 2020 -- he is one of the most effective presidents, if not THE most, of my lifetime. He played the Republicans like a violin in the debt ceiling argument to the point that some <ahem> think that McCarthy was the winner when, in fact, he got rolled.
Fair enough. Thanks for reading and commenting!
This exactly, while I have enjoyed Chris' commentary, I think is all wet about the age thing. Leave it alone. We all know he is old, no need to write or comment about it. Let the ghouls on TOXic News handle that.
The sandbag in Biden’s path that he tripped on, got up and made a jokes about, is the metaphor for the GOP that has tried to trip him with the debt ceiling hazard. The joke is on the sandbag. Biden is smart and gracious enough not to have kicked the sandbag off the stage just as he hasn’t kicked MCCARTHY after eating his lunch.
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY TO ALL, BUT ESPECIALLY TO THOSE WHO GAVE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR THE COUNTRY THEY LOVE, AND TO THOSE IN LINE OF A VERY DIFFERENT, BUT EQUALLY DANGEROUS FIRE, STOPPING THE THREATS OF THE TERRORISTS, MISFITS AND LUNATIC THUGS WHO ARE WORKING FEVERISHLY FROM WITHIN TO OVERTURN AND DESTROY OUR ONCE GREAT COUNTRY, WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN IN GREATER PERIL THAN IT IS RIGHT NOW. WE MUST STOP THE COMMUNISTS, MARXISTS AND FASCIST "PIGS" AT EVERY TURN AND, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
If the choice is between the guy who tripped over a sandbag and the guy who released that inspirational message on our most sacred holiday...
Springsteen fell this week, too. 🤷♀️🤷♀️
Yes, he did and Biden got up more quickly than springsteen.
Why don’t you write a column about how Biden deftly handled the debt limit negotiations instead of this nonsense about him tripping over a sandbag that never should have been on stage in the first place. Why don’t you write a column about how Biden is trim, fit, and can ride a bike at the age of 80 whereas Trump is obviously morbidly obese and couldn’t even get on a bike much less ride one. Why don’t you lose the disclaimer that anyone can fall while while continuing to hammer home your thesis that Biden is too old to be President. Biden tripping over a sandbag is a non event. Biden triumphing over McCarthy and the “freedom” caucus in the debt limit negotiations is a BFD. Write about what matters for a change
I am not surprised that you have jumped all over this fall, Chris . But look at the likely alternative— the disgraced, indicted, twice impeached, grifting, lying, criminal. He’s 77, not exactly young. He constantly spews word salad and vengeance., showing every sign of dementia. He is grossly overweight and considers riding in a golf cart to be exercise. I seem to recall physical gaffes from his presidency too. I would rather have a younger Democratic Party nominee, but I don’t see anyone younger with Biden’s savvy.
Unfair or not, this fall will be ALL over Republican attack ads between now and the election. If history is any guide as well, they will be remarkably effective, too.
So, get ready for President Trump 2.0 or President DeSantis, and the end of this country's democracy.
This is wistful thinking to say that this accidental fall will cost President Biden the Presidency. The Republicans will of course make a mountain out of it. But you watch as it will not make any difference . President Biden is going to win re election in 2024
I fervently hope for the sake of this country that you are right and that I am wrong.
Wasn't there a president back in the 30s and 40s who would have had a hard time getting over a sand bag? According to my late father, FDR turned out to be a pretty good leader. Joe's fastball may top out in the low 80s but he's smart enough to surround himself with capable advisors who he listens to.
In '16 I was a Bernie Bro until the choice became Hillary or the crazy orange guy. In '20 the paramount qualification was electability; it was strictly who can put the crazy orange guy out the Oval Office. Joe was congenial, affable and proved in the debates that he was more than capable. It's damn near impossible to run against an incumbent President of your own party. Ted Kennedy learned that in 1980.
If Joe is the nominee he's got my vote. That said, I'm worried about the lack of successors. Stacy Abrams impresses me, but she's yet to win above the GA state house level. Gretchen Whitmer is a possibility as is NC's Roy Cooper. I'd love to see Michelle Obama run; she might be a more impressive candidate than her husband.
As he said, he got sandbagged. I hardly think the tripping matters. Let's talk about his accomplishments, his ability to lead and to successfully make bipartisan deals. No President has done a better job for as long as I can remember. Outcomes should be what any candidate is judged on.
Infirmity? F you. He tripped over a sandbag. I tripped over my son's shoes when I was 55. Many, many more trips and falls when I was much younger. I agree this doesn't help with perception of Joe's health and age. Neither does your elevating it like some cheap right-wing bullshit er. If Biden loses, you will be among the many I will "thank."
Sorry you disagree. But I think we have two different views. You are a partisan who wants Biden to win. Which is fine! I am a journalist, covering what people think of the candidates and what that means for the broader race.
President Biden’s falls, missteps, gaffes are ripe for the picken, as they say. Trump will have this in all of his attack ads and hammer it home. I am in my 60s and trip, fall, you name it, I’ve done it. However, I am not running for office or in the public eye. We are all human and things happen to us, but this will be hammered by the republicans. Yes, Biden is in his 80s and wish he wasn’t running as I believe that he was the right man for the job in 2020 but think we need someone younger. Who would that be? Not sure, perhaps Whitmer? We need Trump to trip and fall, while in his shackles.
When you are a prominent person and all eyes (& cameras) are on you, it is hard to hide a fall or an illness. Thinking back to GWB where he not only fainted but threw up in Japan. Cameras caught that, of course.
Absolutely agree on always being on camera and weird things happening. But, again, he is the president! He asked for this attention. It's part of the job!
Everyone who wishes Biden weren’t running for Re-election never offers up a plausible path for another candidate to not only win the D nomination, but emerge unscathed enough that they can consolidate the Party and win the general. That is why Biden is running. Those who wish someone else would be the nominee are engaging in wishful thinking
I think this is right! Biden, with all his warts, is the best chance Democrats have to beat Trump. Period.
What I can’t understand is how that sand bag wasn’t spotted by his team and removed or tagged somehow given the worries you mention them having. Seems like someone messed up there. I fall like that could have been worse if say, he’d broken his hip. Not unlikely at age 80.
Sometimes I wonder if these stumbles and falls are as important as the media likes (tries) to make them. Of the small percentage of people who might vote for Biden or Trump (how many people can this be?) it’s hard for me to imagine that a fall would be the determining factor. No one who supports Biden today is changing their mind. And no one who supports Trump will either.
I think some people here are defending their individual definition of the fall—and its meaning—with what it might mean to Republican voters. And, most crucially, what the fall might mean to those 100,000 independent voters in 6 states who determine the Presidency. And, I'm thinking, within the incredible stress of a political campaign, that this probably isn't Biden's last trip and fall. As a Democrat voter, I'm very worried about his age. And I'm primarily worried because I've witnessed how fast the aging process can happen.
I understand your POV. But does Biden seem like he’s any different than he was 15 years ago? He certainly doesn’t seem cognitively different. Maybe physically? As an orator, he’s still pretty bad.
His stutter has always played a part of his public speech. And the distance between 65 and 80 is big. I'd say his decline is rather slight and ordinary but that not be how it plays. I'll say it again that it's not my opinion of his cognition that matters. It's those 100,000 moderate voters in 6 swing states.
I am very grateful to President Biden for defeating Trump and I think he has been na successful president. However, perception is reality and he has too many flaws in his campaign for a second term. At this point, he is doing more to enable Trump's return than prevent it. I realize it would be historic but he really needs to drop out while there is still time and hope the party can select a suitable replacement. Thanks for the analysis, Chris!
I can confidently assure you as a Physician that Biden tripping and falling down does not in any way affect his capacity and ability to govern as a President. There should be no controversy about that fact . I know his political opponents and mischief makers would like to raise unnecessary alarms and bring persistent attention to it. Biden's Doctors have consistently told us that he is mentally and physically fit to continue to serve as our President and seek re election in 2024. I believe his Doctors and by the way Biden did not ask his Doctors to say that unlike Trump. Oh by the way there are some other excellent news for America today that probably need more attention than Biden's tripping. For example , excellent job report today and a bipartisan bill( raising the Debt limit) is headed to President Biden's desk for signature today. I can't wait for President Biden's address this pm. Pls make sure you all tune in. Hopefully Chris will give us the most outlandish lines in his speech as well since he is currently the sitting President.
That sandbag seems to have done what Comer and Jordan are incapable of. Then, the sandbag is smarter than they are.