For all the jokes and serious concerns about Joe Biden’s cognitive decline, two characteristics remain intact: his arrogance and an almost complete lack of self-awareness. This was evident during a recent exchange with a reporter, broadcast on C-SPAN.
“Mr. President, do you regret your decision to run for reelection?” the reporter asked. “Do you think that made it easier for your predecessor to now become your successor?”
Rather than offering his trademark rambling, Biden provided a thoughtful yet excuse-laden response that revealed much about his and the Democrats’ inability to understand their resounding loss in November.
“I don’t think so,” Biden replied. “I think I would have beaten Trump, could have beaten Trump, and I think that Kamala could have beaten Trump, would have beaten Trump.”
Would have. Could have. The only thing missing was should have. But pre-dropout polls, Trump’s resounding debate win, and the election results tell a different story: Biden couldn’t have beaten Trump. And Kamala Harris didn’t.
Biden continued justifying his decision to step aside.
“I thought it was important to unify the party,” he claimed. “And when the party was worried about whether or not I was going to be able to move, I thought, even though I thought I could win again, I thought it was better to unify the party.”
Sure, Joe. Nothing screams party unity like propping up a candidate who bypassed primaries and never garnered a single vote from Democratic voters.
It’s clear Biden didn’t leave willingly. He tried to maintain a brave face, presenting himself as noble and selfless, but the excuses piled on.
“And it was the greatest honor of my life to be president of the United States,” Biden concluded. “But I didn’t want to be the cause of a disunified party losing an election. That’s why I stepped aside. But I was confident she could win.”
By Election Day, no amount of party unity could salvage the Democrats’ campaign. And Biden’s supposed confidence in Kamala Harris as a candidate rings hollow. Considering his track record of untruths, his assurances are hardly convincing.
“Joe, we already held an election, and Kamala lost,” a tweet from Citizen Free Press succinctly noted.
Joe, we already held an election and Kamala lost.pic.twitter.com/DIfU5YPyKK
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) January 11, 2025
These comments didn’t come from a man in cognitive decline. In fact, Biden seemed sharp during the exchange. However, this clarity also underscored the Democrats’ persistent lack of self-awareness about their defeat in 2024.
But here we are, grateful for the election results and a brighter political future. If the Democrats’ inability to face reality persists, let’s hope it continues benefiting the country.