In the curious world of politics, one can’t help but feel a mix of pity and perplexity watching President Joe Biden as he makes his appearances. After decades of unwavering loyalty to his party, it seems that Biden is now being put out to pasture in the harsh spotlight. It’s almost like his political handlers are treating him like a relic from Ripley’s Believe It or Not, touted at every opportunity but with none of the respect due to a former leader of the free world. While some may shed a tear for the man paraded like a sideshow, others sarcastically wonder if this actual exhibition holds more comedic value than the classic sitcom reruns that now dominate streaming services.
Biden, after 50 obedient years of operating within the confines set by the Democratic Party, seems to have been tossed aside. It’s as if he misplaced his debate skills somewhere along the way and found himself lost, both literally and figuratively, before the American public. Ironically, all he needed to do was be the antithesis of former President Trump. Instead, he sometimes appears as if he’s forgotten the assignment altogether. Unfortunately for him, he’s become an easy punchline for late-night hosts and political commentators alike, an outcome many warned about but few seemed to genuinely prepare for.
The indulgence of Doctor Jill seemingly parading her husband around for what some argue are the wrong reasons does little to quell the whispers of concern. The president’s struggles with the seemingly small cue cards he often reads from have led some to suggest that perhaps it’s not just the cards that are shrinking. The pauses, gaffes, and hesitations that punctuate his speeches remind viewers of a ghostly echo of a once vibrant leader. Comparisons to haunted vessels aren’t far off the mark, as one pundit humorously quips, lacking the necessary ‘spook’ factor to be a truly effective specter in the realm of political discourse.
In the theater of his past interviews, Biden’s off-topic references and dated talking points lead many to believe he is more out of touch than a landline rotary phone. It’s as if he’s emerged from a political ice age, clutching to narratives that are as stale as instant coffee packets in the back of a pantry. While he stands on various stages, it’s hard not to notice the weariness in his demeanor, leaving some to wonder if he’s being propped up as a mere figurehead while others pull the strings behind the curtain.
Lastly, if NPR did want to boost its funding, it might find new life in simply documenting Biden’s journey through the rocky terrain of current events. Despite his fervent supporters’ attempts to polish the narrative, the broadcast of his interviews has replaced playlists of soft jazz and gentle narratives with a raw, unscripted look at the aging process of a consequential figure. With the audience left to navigate this unique landscape, Biden himself remains both a cautionary tale and a reluctant muse in this unfolding political saga.
