When Special Counsel Robert Hur interviewed Joe Biden in October 2023 about retaining classified documents in his Delaware home, Hur famously declined to indict “a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.” After reading Jill Biden’s memoir
Forgiving of the Biden's? We had a clear choice: Kamala or Trump? Hillary or Trump? In both instances the American people chose a con man rather than a competent woman. Not once, but twice!
To be honest, I was all prepared for you to slice and dice her. I really appreciate the compassion you showed in discussing the Bidens. I would think that anyone who has dealt with aging and cognitive diminishment in their family would find at least a little of that compassion for the Bidens. They could not possibly have been the only two people responsible for the situation in the ‘24 election, and I think the anger directed at them is very unattractive on the part of the Democrats that I know.
I don't really blame Biden for not wanting to see his son go to Prison after he had finally gotten his life in order. I think the bigger issue is that President's shouldn't have that power. There should be guardrails on who they can pardon. I mean look at the daily abuses of Pardon power taking place right now.
I'm sorry. I don't want to be uncharitable, but it's hard to be forgiving of the Biden's as far as I'm concerned. Biden's performance in the debate was not the result of recent troubles in his family life, but because he had become physically and mentally incapable of performing the enormous demands of the office months or years before that. We all saw it; we all knew it, but they told us not to believe our lying eyes.
Jill has said in interviews that she saw no sign that Joe was failing before the debate. That is pure gas lighting.
I understand and sympathize with the stories about how Joe was written off and denigrated by the Obamas and the other more sophisticated members of the Democratic elite. But Joe said (and he was right) that Trump was an existential threat to our democracy, yet when it came to the imperative of defeating Trump in 2024, he and Jill put their own egos and ambition first. The irony is that if Joe had paved the way for a capable successor to defeat Trump in 2024, instead of clinging to the office, he would have gone down in history as a great statesman and protector of our democracy. After all, Obama and Clinton never accomplished something so important. Instead, Joe is viewed by many (most?) with a combination of anger and disdain.
It's sad and tragic and I'm very sorry he's suffering with cancer, but the truth is he and Jill together bear a great deal of responsibility for enabling Trump 2.0 and the damage that's been done to our country.
Well said, Mr W. I agree 100%. I once admired Joe Biden... but that ship has sailed. The reason we are in the quagmire of political shambles of today is totally in the laps of Joe & Jill. And that "Dr Biden" crap... give me a break. There are many people in society with doctorates who do not insist on that. For example: Rachel Maddow has a PhD but never once demanded that. It says a lot about Jill's self-esteem IMHO. We are in a disasterous political mess today, threatened with losing our democracy, all because of the Bidens and their team of go-alongs.
Sorry, the American people bear that responsibility. We had a choice and we picked the racist, rapist, and grifter over a good woman candidate! At some point, adults need to take responsibility for their decisions.
So true and lends truth to the phrase "Hurt people hurt people". As you pointed out, Biden's decline became evident years before the debate, enough time for the Democrats to develop a powerful winning campaign. Like it or not, the only way to beat a Trump is with a charisma machine like an Obama or a Clinton. I'm no fan of BC but the guy had what it takes.
Beautifully written, as always. And you made an excellent point no one else has yet considered, but that I hope others will now think about: When Biden issued the preemptive pardon for Hunter, I was disappointed. He'd said he wouldn't and I believed him. When he pardoned him after all, I thought it diminished him. But now, seeing the "Maga minotaur" (brilliant) in action I have to agree with you: "Given what we now see in Trump’s revenge tour, President Biden should be forgiven for being prescient, IMHO."
I completely agree. And btw, that pardon now seems almost laughable compared to the excremental excesses of corruption bestowed upon us by Trump 2.0. What a vat of steaming stool this administration is.
I have to say that I would have done the same. Knowing what Trump was like, what parent would not? So I can’t blame Biden for pardoning Hunter. What I do blame Biden for is not sticking to his promise to be a one term president. That promise unkept has caused us a world of pain. As for Jill Biden’s book, I don’t understand this current craze of writing a memoir in order to tell one’s own side of the story. It always backfires and it always ends up diminishing the author.
I wish she hadn’t written that book, I wish she hadn’t done the interview to promote the book. Whatever Jill Biden was trying to achieve, she only succeeded in making me believe the Democrats will never get it together enough to offer us a decent candidate. There has to be one out there!
I'm still furious at the Bidens. Regardless of the staggering toll events put them through, their hubris in the face of mortality paved the way (or at least didn't prevent) for what we're going through now. What Jill Biden saw as support for her dying husband morphed into a tragedy for millions of her countryfolk.
Not to be obtuse, but I honestly do not understand the extreme vitriol for Kamala Harris. You can wince at her performative somewhat insincere public behavior, her way too long at the fair adherence to Biden, her "uplift and joy" at a time when we needed a Sherman Tank to plow through the Trumpian advancing forces. You can even hate her laugh, if you want to be really petty.
But she is still a very smart, perceptive, accomplished person who, had she received the support of all those who voted against their own self interest in electing trump (looking at you white women, Latinos, and even Black men), we would have a non crazy, non cruel, non ignorant malignant narcissist sociopath steering the ship of of State now. Such minor complaints in hindsight. The bottom line is: we wouldn't have a crumbling democracy. And need I add, how many centuries will we wait for a female POTUS?
Of course, the biggest issue with Kamala was the strong scent of Biden on her. But I fear AOC is just a bridge too far for the crucial middle/undecided/independent. In an ideal world, possibly. But as with all pendulums, it swung too far in one direction and then too far in the other. We need a course correction. If there was still a functioning Republican party with a beating heart, that would apply, as well.
I desperately want to see a woman president in my lifetime (I’m nearly 70). And I mean no disrespect to AOC but honestly believe she would be mercilessly attacked by a GOP opponent for her lack of experience. I hope that’s not a correct assessment.
Jill Biden enabled her husband's fantasy that he was up to another term. No sympathy for her. Joe Biden's FU message to the Democrats as he went out the door - saddling us with Kamala Harris - has resulted in lasting damage to our democracy. Interesting point by Tina that with all the doctors around Biden no one thought to do a PSA test. Denial is the Bidens' middle name.
What I don’t understand is why she didn’t ask for a commercial break at the beginning of the debate and for a doctor to examine her husband at that moment if she truly believed her he was having a stroke Will not read book now, maybe in a few years…too soon
Thanks for your perseverance in reading this for all of us. Your astute observations reinforced my belief that I could not have made it through the first chapter. I have never admired Joe Biden except for his devotion to his family, and in fact once chatted briefly with him when I noticed him on the Metroliner heading how to Delaware one evening. I believe his one notable political achievement was in orchestrating the ‘borking”of Robert Bork, which totally backfired on him given the result was the long tenure of Clarence Thomas on the Court and Thomas’ influence on many of its consequential decisions.
However, if Jill has been willing to forgo her ambition and advise Joe to forgo his lifelong goal and not to run for the Presidency in 2020, they could have retired both to a less stressful life and thus probably a slower decline in his faculties and a reasonably favorable judgement of history. Instead , his presidency will result in a very harsh judgement by historians, it probably actually was responsible for the harsh prosecution of his son, and Jill herself is the target of much deserved criticism and ridicule. The irony is both obvious and tragic, in this case unfortunately the accident which originally destroyed Joe’s family has led his remaining family to reaped what it sown.
Tina, thanks again. I often may not agree with your politics but always appreciate both your insights and your wordsmithing. 🙂🙂
All political careers end in failure, as a British politician once wrote. Only those who leave the stage early are remembered at their best - like John F Kennedy.
If Biden had left the stage at the end of Obama’s 2nd term I suspect he would be remembered fondly too - a wise old Washington hand to loyally help the younger man.
I wrote a year ago that I have never understood why Biden even considered running for a 2nd term in 2024. What was he thinking, was he also crawling around looking for Parmesan cheese? Utter madness, that IMHO left the door open to a lunatic who had mounted an insurrection against the newly elected president in 2021… like the last days of the Roman Empire, mad old men convinced of their indispensability. Who do these fools in their 8th decade of life think they are. Utter madness…
Biden and Trump. Trump and Biden. Don’t they have retirement accounts? Aren’t there grandchildren to play with? Memento Mori, as Roman emperors would have whispered in their ear. You are mortal, one day you will die, live a good life but accept it all ends one day - the world will be fine without you.
Trump should go NOW, before he suffers complete mental and physical collapse. Biden should have accepted his term of office was a one time deal. Fix the country after the horrors of the Pandemic and chaotic Trump first term. But Biden should have understood and accepted his role - A ONE TERM PRESIDENT, to heal a divided nation.
When on earth did the US presidency become a plaything for frail confused men about to turn 80? The US has had great men lead it, but typically in their 40s when first elected, eg Lincoln or Kennedy. FDR died in office in his mid 60s after more than 3 terms. Get serious, get a constitutional amendment, the “Trump Amendment” - no more geriatric presidents.
I actually saw a debate at UNLV among Democrat leadership candidates in 2004 when both Biden and Hilary Clinton were running. She came across as entitled, he came across as wise and very knowledgeable. Over the years after that, we all aged. My question is, seeing what a terrible threat Trump was, why didn’t the wise and knowledgeable man I saw in 2004 do more than pardon his family to protect the country from him by mentoring talent in the Democratic Party? Shows that the Dems are more controlled by the backroom than the now-GOP that IS controlled by their leader.
Given its demise, what an odd choice of title “View From the East Wing” giving solid credence to Jill’s disconnect. As his wife and skilled educator, she surely knew her husband’s health was declining and the book’s white washing of the truth further undermines public sympathy and respect for a tragedy-ridden family of a former president which is the heart of the real story.
I understand the idea of compassion, but at the end of the day, these people have made their choice to be at the top level of politics AND privilege. This is true of both parties. Of course there are challenges i.e., Michelle Obama crying upon the stress lifting upon leaving the White House. Now, they ride on "friends" private jets, hang out on Spielberg's massive yacht, well, you get my drift. I just wish Jill Biden waited until after the mid terms to release her book. She is doing damage to the party when she is out there pushing this book, it brings back the debacle of her husband's ego getting in the way, hanging on too long, and how the Democrats lied to cover up his condition. It brings it all back. The last thing Democrats need are more challenges, as their numbers are even worse than the Republicans.
Forgiving of the Biden's? We had a clear choice: Kamala or Trump? Hillary or Trump? In both instances the American people chose a con man rather than a competent woman. Not once, but twice!
To be honest, I was all prepared for you to slice and dice her. I really appreciate the compassion you showed in discussing the Bidens. I would think that anyone who has dealt with aging and cognitive diminishment in their family would find at least a little of that compassion for the Bidens. They could not possibly have been the only two people responsible for the situation in the ‘24 election, and I think the anger directed at them is very unattractive on the part of the Democrats that I know.
I don't really blame Biden for not wanting to see his son go to Prison after he had finally gotten his life in order. I think the bigger issue is that President's shouldn't have that power. There should be guardrails on who they can pardon. I mean look at the daily abuses of Pardon power taking place right now.
I'm sorry. I don't want to be uncharitable, but it's hard to be forgiving of the Biden's as far as I'm concerned. Biden's performance in the debate was not the result of recent troubles in his family life, but because he had become physically and mentally incapable of performing the enormous demands of the office months or years before that. We all saw it; we all knew it, but they told us not to believe our lying eyes.
Jill has said in interviews that she saw no sign that Joe was failing before the debate. That is pure gas lighting.
I understand and sympathize with the stories about how Joe was written off and denigrated by the Obamas and the other more sophisticated members of the Democratic elite. But Joe said (and he was right) that Trump was an existential threat to our democracy, yet when it came to the imperative of defeating Trump in 2024, he and Jill put their own egos and ambition first. The irony is that if Joe had paved the way for a capable successor to defeat Trump in 2024, instead of clinging to the office, he would have gone down in history as a great statesman and protector of our democracy. After all, Obama and Clinton never accomplished something so important. Instead, Joe is viewed by many (most?) with a combination of anger and disdain.
It's sad and tragic and I'm very sorry he's suffering with cancer, but the truth is he and Jill together bear a great deal of responsibility for enabling Trump 2.0 and the damage that's been done to our country.
Well said, Mr W. I agree 100%. I once admired Joe Biden... but that ship has sailed. The reason we are in the quagmire of political shambles of today is totally in the laps of Joe & Jill. And that "Dr Biden" crap... give me a break. There are many people in society with doctorates who do not insist on that. For example: Rachel Maddow has a PhD but never once demanded that. It says a lot about Jill's self-esteem IMHO. We are in a disasterous political mess today, threatened with losing our democracy, all because of the Bidens and their team of go-alongs.
Well said, Frank. I agree with you 100%.
Sorry, the American people bear that responsibility. We had a choice and we picked the racist, rapist, and grifter over a good woman candidate! At some point, adults need to take responsibility for their decisions.
So true and lends truth to the phrase "Hurt people hurt people". As you pointed out, Biden's decline became evident years before the debate, enough time for the Democrats to develop a powerful winning campaign. Like it or not, the only way to beat a Trump is with a charisma machine like an Obama or a Clinton. I'm no fan of BC but the guy had what it takes.
Disagree with your conclusions about Trump but everything else is a great summary except IMHO he should not have run in2020.
Totally agree.
Beautifully written, as always. And you made an excellent point no one else has yet considered, but that I hope others will now think about: When Biden issued the preemptive pardon for Hunter, I was disappointed. He'd said he wouldn't and I believed him. When he pardoned him after all, I thought it diminished him. But now, seeing the "Maga minotaur" (brilliant) in action I have to agree with you: "Given what we now see in Trump’s revenge tour, President Biden should be forgiven for being prescient, IMHO."
I completely agree. And btw, that pardon now seems almost laughable compared to the excremental excesses of corruption bestowed upon us by Trump 2.0. What a vat of steaming stool this administration is.
I have to say that I would have done the same. Knowing what Trump was like, what parent would not? So I can’t blame Biden for pardoning Hunter. What I do blame Biden for is not sticking to his promise to be a one term president. That promise unkept has caused us a world of pain. As for Jill Biden’s book, I don’t understand this current craze of writing a memoir in order to tell one’s own side of the story. It always backfires and it always ends up diminishing the author.
I wish she hadn’t written that book, I wish she hadn’t done the interview to promote the book. Whatever Jill Biden was trying to achieve, she only succeeded in making me believe the Democrats will never get it together enough to offer us a decent candidate. There has to be one out there!
I'm still furious at the Bidens. Regardless of the staggering toll events put them through, their hubris in the face of mortality paved the way (or at least didn't prevent) for what we're going through now. What Jill Biden saw as support for her dying husband morphed into a tragedy for millions of her countryfolk.
Not to be obtuse, but I honestly do not understand the extreme vitriol for Kamala Harris. You can wince at her performative somewhat insincere public behavior, her way too long at the fair adherence to Biden, her "uplift and joy" at a time when we needed a Sherman Tank to plow through the Trumpian advancing forces. You can even hate her laugh, if you want to be really petty.
But she is still a very smart, perceptive, accomplished person who, had she received the support of all those who voted against their own self interest in electing trump (looking at you white women, Latinos, and even Black men), we would have a non crazy, non cruel, non ignorant malignant narcissist sociopath steering the ship of of State now. Such minor complaints in hindsight. The bottom line is: we wouldn't have a crumbling democracy. And need I add, how many centuries will we wait for a female POTUS?
The Dems miscalculated it’s Kamala card and AOC has picked up the ball
Of course, the biggest issue with Kamala was the strong scent of Biden on her. But I fear AOC is just a bridge too far for the crucial middle/undecided/independent. In an ideal world, possibly. But as with all pendulums, it swung too far in one direction and then too far in the other. We need a course correction. If there was still a functioning Republican party with a beating heart, that would apply, as well.
I desperately want to see a woman president in my lifetime (I’m nearly 70). And I mean no disrespect to AOC but honestly believe she would be mercilessly attacked by a GOP opponent for her lack of experience. I hope that’s not a correct assessment.
Unfortunately, I fear you may be right.
Jill Biden enabled her husband's fantasy that he was up to another term. No sympathy for her. Joe Biden's FU message to the Democrats as he went out the door - saddling us with Kamala Harris - has resulted in lasting damage to our democracy. Interesting point by Tina that with all the doctors around Biden no one thought to do a PSA test. Denial is the Bidens' middle name.
You don’t have to report what you don’t know.
What I don’t understand is why she didn’t ask for a commercial break at the beginning of the debate and for a doctor to examine her husband at that moment if she truly believed her he was having a stroke Will not read book now, maybe in a few years…too soon
Thanks for your perseverance in reading this for all of us. Your astute observations reinforced my belief that I could not have made it through the first chapter. I have never admired Joe Biden except for his devotion to his family, and in fact once chatted briefly with him when I noticed him on the Metroliner heading how to Delaware one evening. I believe his one notable political achievement was in orchestrating the ‘borking”of Robert Bork, which totally backfired on him given the result was the long tenure of Clarence Thomas on the Court and Thomas’ influence on many of its consequential decisions.
However, if Jill has been willing to forgo her ambition and advise Joe to forgo his lifelong goal and not to run for the Presidency in 2020, they could have retired both to a less stressful life and thus probably a slower decline in his faculties and a reasonably favorable judgement of history. Instead , his presidency will result in a very harsh judgement by historians, it probably actually was responsible for the harsh prosecution of his son, and Jill herself is the target of much deserved criticism and ridicule. The irony is both obvious and tragic, in this case unfortunately the accident which originally destroyed Joe’s family has led his remaining family to reaped what it sown.
Tina, thanks again. I often may not agree with your politics but always appreciate both your insights and your wordsmithing. 🙂🙂
All political careers end in failure, as a British politician once wrote. Only those who leave the stage early are remembered at their best - like John F Kennedy.
If Biden had left the stage at the end of Obama’s 2nd term I suspect he would be remembered fondly too - a wise old Washington hand to loyally help the younger man.
I wrote a year ago that I have never understood why Biden even considered running for a 2nd term in 2024. What was he thinking, was he also crawling around looking for Parmesan cheese? Utter madness, that IMHO left the door open to a lunatic who had mounted an insurrection against the newly elected president in 2021… like the last days of the Roman Empire, mad old men convinced of their indispensability. Who do these fools in their 8th decade of life think they are. Utter madness…
Biden and Trump. Trump and Biden. Don’t they have retirement accounts? Aren’t there grandchildren to play with? Memento Mori, as Roman emperors would have whispered in their ear. You are mortal, one day you will die, live a good life but accept it all ends one day - the world will be fine without you.
Trump should go NOW, before he suffers complete mental and physical collapse. Biden should have accepted his term of office was a one time deal. Fix the country after the horrors of the Pandemic and chaotic Trump first term. But Biden should have understood and accepted his role - A ONE TERM PRESIDENT, to heal a divided nation.
When on earth did the US presidency become a plaything for frail confused men about to turn 80? The US has had great men lead it, but typically in their 40s when first elected, eg Lincoln or Kennedy. FDR died in office in his mid 60s after more than 3 terms. Get serious, get a constitutional amendment, the “Trump Amendment” - no more geriatric presidents.
Can we please go back to 2009? 🙏🏻
I actually saw a debate at UNLV among Democrat leadership candidates in 2004 when both Biden and Hilary Clinton were running. She came across as entitled, he came across as wise and very knowledgeable. Over the years after that, we all aged. My question is, seeing what a terrible threat Trump was, why didn’t the wise and knowledgeable man I saw in 2004 do more than pardon his family to protect the country from him by mentoring talent in the Democratic Party? Shows that the Dems are more controlled by the backroom than the now-GOP that IS controlled by their leader.
Tina’s back! What a great essay. More insight into the Bidens than poor Jill could manage.
Given its demise, what an odd choice of title “View From the East Wing” giving solid credence to Jill’s disconnect. As his wife and skilled educator, she surely knew her husband’s health was declining and the book’s white washing of the truth further undermines public sympathy and respect for a tragedy-ridden family of a former president which is the heart of the real story.
She’s not a medical doctor. She has PhD in Education.
Expert in Cognitive Skills via advanced level “Education”
She has a PHD .
Have not read the book but this review is too nasty IMO.
I understand the idea of compassion, but at the end of the day, these people have made their choice to be at the top level of politics AND privilege. This is true of both parties. Of course there are challenges i.e., Michelle Obama crying upon the stress lifting upon leaving the White House. Now, they ride on "friends" private jets, hang out on Spielberg's massive yacht, well, you get my drift. I just wish Jill Biden waited until after the mid terms to release her book. She is doing damage to the party when she is out there pushing this book, it brings back the debacle of her husband's ego getting in the way, hanging on too long, and how the Democrats lied to cover up his condition. It brings it all back. The last thing Democrats need are more challenges, as their numbers are even worse than the Republicans.
You oh so delicately capture how sauceless she is