Staff Reports
The first time Joe Biden ran for President, he couldn’t keep his mouth shut, which quickly led to his downfall. Fast forward to today, and the man might find that his old habit of rambling could be his last-ditch effort to save his presidency.
Biden is teetering on the edge of a political cliff after his abysmal performance in the recent debate against former President Donald Trump, the GOP’s favorite for 2024. During their 90-minute showdown, Biden’s voice was weak and croaky, matching his low energy and lackluster delivery. The 81-year-old fumbled through prepared lines, failing to praiseworthily recite his administration’s so-called achievements from the last three and a half years.
Washington Examiner: Loud-mouth politics: Biden needs to campaign like it’s 1987 https://t.co/cwzeXEzRMv
— Ian Hansen 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@IanHansenFeed) July 5, 2024
It’s clear as day that Biden’s foot-in-mouth syndrome isn’t a new affliction. Back in 1987, then-Senator Joe Biden, just bubbling with verbosity, embarked on his first White House bid. Biden wasn’t even halfway through his 36-year Senate career. Yet, he was already famous for his ceaseless prattling—so much so that Capitol Hill reporters had to find creative ways to escape his blathering when faced with deadlines. The archives are chock-full of Biden’s long-winded speeches, an unending stream of words that often led to his undoing.
Biden’s downfall in the ’87 race was a confluence of self-inflicted wounds. His campaign was derailed by allegations of plagiarism both in his academic and political life. But let’s not forget, he’d already offended voters with his trademark arrogance. Telling a New Hampshire voter he probably had a much higher IQ wasn’t exactly endearing. Nor did claiming, erroneously, that he marched in the Civil Rights Movement help his situation. Unsurprisingly, Biden exited the race amid a storm of bad press.
Now, facing Trump again, Biden’s only lifeline might be to unleash his old, talkative self. Instead of the tight-lipped, sheltered approach he’s been taking, Biden could try to re-engage with the media and the public. The fact that he’s done fewer interviews than any of his modern predecessors speaks volumes. His White House team bristles at any suggestion that he’s too old or frail, but the debate performance left no room for doubt.
If Biden decides to go the “Straight Talk Express” route, it’ll mean more press interviews, town halls, and media appearances. As the President of the United States, it’s not like he’d struggle to find willing audiences. However, the risk remains that voters will see plenty of stumbles, embarrassing moments, and his old habit of babbling.
Turning this strategy into a success would require Biden to acknowledge his age while openly comparing himself to Trump. Despite Trump’s legal woes, Biden’s challenge remains his advanced years and evident frailty. But by constantly hammering the point that he’s not a “criminal like Trump,” Biden might hold onto the slim chance of reviving his campaign.
Should Biden adopt this strategy, he would follow in the footsteps of candidates like John McCain and, for a while, Trump, both of whom thrived on openness and accessibility. But let’s not kid ourselves—Biden is no Trump, and his age isn’t just a number; it’s a debilitating reality. While the “ask-me-anything” approach could work in theory, the President’s age and poor performance will be a recurring theme that Trump and his supporters will exploit to the fullest.
Biden is teetering on a precipice, and whether he can talk his way back into the voter’s favor without alienating them with his arrogance and incoherence remains an unanswered question. It seems more like wishful thinking than a realistic comeback strategy for now.
