President Biden Will Finish His Term, for Better or Worse

 

I think that President Biden’s recent visit to Saudi Arabia was a success. In fact, I suspect that it was scripted in advance and agreed on by both parties. Mr. Biden needed to be seen trying to increase the oil supply and reduce gas prices. And he needed Saudi Arabia to say no, publicly. Thus, Mr. Biden can blame Saudi Arabia for the high gas prices, just like he’s blaming Putin for inflation.

Mr. Biden has been in politics for 50 years. He understands that his job is not to fix a problem but to shift blame and capitalize politically on a problem.

But some thought that his visit to Saudi Arabia was simply another opportunity for Mr. Biden to demonstrate his weakness as a leader. In fact, there is more and more chatter about replacing him as President. So let’s break this down, from the standpoint of both Democrats and Republicans, in the two realms of domestic and foreign policy.

In terms of domestic policy, I get the impression that Democrats are frustrated with Mr. Biden. I don’t understand why. From my perspective, he has been successful at promoting Democrat policies. The abortion ruling was not his fault. But Democrats have gotten nearly everything else they could have hoped for in economic policies and social policies. A 50/50 Senate with two moderates means that they won’t win everything, no matter who’s in charge. But I think he’s been reasonably productive for them, all things considered. Still, many Democrats are starting to grumble about his uninspiring leadership.

In terms of foreign policy, surely even Democrats recognize the clear and present danger that Mr. Biden presents to world peace. Putin understands exactly what Biden is, as does Xi, Kim Jong-Un, and every other American enemy. Our allies also understand exactly what Biden is. A corrupt fool is in charge of the defense of Western countries, and that creates instability. I would presume that many who voted for Mr. Biden are starting to recognize that things could go horribly wrong, very quickly, with Mr. Biden at the helm.

So I think that when Democrats look at domestic policy, and at foreign policy, I suspect that they are looking for ways to ease Mr. Biden out. If they can find a way to do so gracefully without making the entire Democrat party look incompetent in the process. That may be tricky. But I’ll bet they’re talking about options.

What about Republicans?

In terms of domestic policy, I think that Republicans would be foolish to attempt to replace Mr. Biden. He is as good as it gets right now. His laziness and incompetence are what one hopes for in an adversary. Nearly any other Democrat would likely be more even more effective at enacting Democrat policies. So I say we do what we can to keep him in office.

Which makes a lot of sense, until we consider foreign policy. My God.

The catastrophe in Afghanistan did not have to happen. Neither did the daily catastrophes at our southern border. Neither did Ukraine. What’s next? I’m not sure that America has looked this weak and helpless in the past 100 years, which creates opportunities for common thugs like Afghan warlords and Vladimir Putin. It also creates opportunities for more sophisticated adversaries like Xi and others. And every time someone takes advantage of this unique historical opportunity, it can either go badly or very badly.

It cannot go well.

Ukraine could fall into Russian hands. Or, Russia could keep moving past Ukraine and attempt to take other parts of Europe. Who will stop him? If anyone tries, he could launch a World War. Next week.

Again, any one of these fiascoes could blow up in our face. Wars are unpredictable, particularly in this age of nuclear weapons, bioweapons, EMPs, hackers attacking computer-controlled infrastructure systems, etc. Very bad things could happen very quickly. Who will stop them?

So from a domestic policy standpoint, I think Republicans should try to keep Joe Biden in the Oval Office. But the risk he presents to foreign policy makes this approach too dangerous.

This means, I think, that Democrats and Republicans would both try to remove President Biden if possible.

But I just can’t imagine how that could possibly happen.

Regardless of how many Congressional seats the Republicans win in the fall, I just can’t imagine Joe Biden being removed from office via impeachment. Maybe, I guess.

But I just can’t imagine that.

I also can’t imagine anyone invoking the 25th amendment. It’s not like we elected a healthy man who had a stroke a year later and ended up in a coma. Mr. Biden is in very similar condition today as the day he was “elected.”  Maybe somewhat worse. But he was like this during the election, which is why he didn’t campaign.

So the American people determined that he was sufficiently healthy to win the presidency, but then we decide that he’s not? That will be tricky.

Mr. Biden could step down, of course. Except that he won’t. For 50 years, he’s never expressed an interest in anything other than furthering the career of Joe Biden. Sacrificing for love of country is not his style.  Just typing that made me chuckle.

The other problem, of course, is Kamala Harris.  She may be less intelligent than Joe Biden (sit down and think about that for a minute…), but just as vicious, and just as incompetent. I don’t see how replacing Biden with Harris helps either the Democrats or Republicans, with either domestic or foreign policy.

So, yes, I suspect that the leaders of both parties would be happy if Mr. Biden were not president right now. But in the real world, I just don’t see how that can happen.

We’ll see. But I suspect that Mr. Biden will complete his term. He may even run for re-election. In fact, I presume that he will.

Even if he is replaced, I’m not sure how much it will matter. The Democrat who replaces him will enact Democrat policies, just like Mr. Biden. With similar results.

This is the problem with doing something profoundly stupid, like “electing” Joe Biden to be the leader of the free world. I think we’ve set a course that cannot easily be changed. I just don’t see a way out of this.

Well, except for the obvious, of course. The way out of this was to not elect Mr. Biden to begin with. None of this was difficult to foresee.

But it’s too late for that.

When someone really wants to commit suicide, it can be very difficult to stop them. This is true of individuals, but also of countries and even cultures.

The Democratic Party has sought to fundamentally transform The United States of America at least since President Wilson. It appears that, at long last, they’ve succeeded.

As usual, I really, really hope I’m wrong about all this…

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  1. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    For 50 years, he’s never expressed an interest in anything other than furthering the career of Joe Biden.  Sacrificing for love of country is not his style.  Just typing that made me chuckle.

    This is the key.  Although there are signs that the MSM (e.g. NYT) wants him out, he is too much of on old pol to be moved along.  I think he will be “persuaded” to not run again in return for some favorable good byes.

    • #1
  2. Front Seat Cat Member
    Front Seat Cat
    @FrontSeatCat

    To your title – I will guess worse…….

    • #2
  3. Red Herring Coolidge
    Red Herring
    @EHerring

    I hope Dems and NTs squirm every day he is in office for forcing this sham of a man on us.

    • #3
  4. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Dr. Bastiat: So I think that when Democrats look at domestic policy, and at foreign policy, I suspect that they are looking for ways to ease Mr. Biden out.  If they can find a way to do so gracefully, without making the entire Democrat party look more incompetent in the process. 

    FIFY. The Democrats are starting with a baseline level of incompetence that is impossible to ignore.

    • #4
  5. Old Bathos Member
    Old Bathos
    @OldBathos

    The fist bump in Riyadh, the Irish analogy to Palestinian Arabs, the buffoonery was actually only about a 2 or 3 on the Biden scale.

    We think he may have given the Israelis a green light to take out the mullahs nukes but what will he remember or do his handlers think?

     The Saudis were never going to go into production overdrive just to reduce US pump prices and increase Democratic election chances. Biden was summoned by the “pariah” and got dissed, a failure on two levels.

    He did not crap his pants as he allegedly did in Rome and there were no photographed gropes or hair-sniffing of middle eastern girls. He did not make up silly stories or issue a policy statement that the WH had to scramble to retract.

    This is what passes for a successful foreign policy outing in our pathetic era. Congrats, Mr. President.

    • #5
  6. Dr. Bastiat Member
    Dr. Bastiat
    @drbastiat

    Front Seat Cat (View Comment):

    To your title – I will guess worse…….

    Good guess.

    • #6
  7. Stina Member
    Stina
    @CM

    To me, it’s far more important that, if egregious action has been made that warrants it, he must be removed from office.

    The unwillingness to hold these people accountable needs to stop. We get outraged over scandal but don’t follow through, which makes us look like we are full of hot air and the public becomes accustomed to thinking bad governance just isn’t THAT bad.

    If there was serious scandal surrounding the Obama – Trump transition, the Biden quid pro quo, or the J6 security issues, and we believe they were terrible, we need to follow through on those things.

    All we are doing is desensitizing the public to where the boundaries should exist, while letting the left define new boundaries through corrupt impeachments and kangaroo court hearings.

    • #7
  8. Stina Member
    Stina
    @CM

    Also – deliberately ignoring the Supreme Court, ideological purges of the military, and failure to fair and speedy trial for prisoners with opposing politics.

    • #8
  9. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    Red Herring (View Comment):

    I hope Dems and NTs squirm every day he is in office for forcing this sham of a man on us.

    With all due respect, you forced Biden on us by renominating Trump. 

    Hopefully the Republican Party will not make the same mistake in 2024, and President DeSantis will be elected.  

    • #9
  10. Red Herring Coolidge
    Red Herring
    @EHerring

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Red Herring (View Comment):

    I hope Dems and NTs squirm every day he is in office for forcing this sham of a man on us.

    With all due respect, you forced Biden on us by renominating Trump.

    Hopefully the Republican Party will not make the same mistake in 2024, and President DeSantis will be elected.

    I forced nothing on you. Trump did good things as a President. You picked your poison poorly. I have no problem with Trump running again. And the NTs say Trump is petty. Gee whiz. 

    • #10
  11. Django Member
    Django
    @Django

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Red Herring (View Comment):

    I hope Dems and NTs squirm every day he is in office for forcing this sham of a man on us.

    With all due respect, you forced Biden on us by renominating Trump.

    Hopefully the Republican Party will not make the same mistake in 2024, and President DeSantis will be elected.

    That may not be the stupidest thing I’ve read at ricochet, but it at least deserves honorable mention. Nobody “forced” you to vote for him. You could have done the honorable thing as I have done since 2000 and leave the top slot blank. 

    • #11
  12. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Red Herring (View Comment):

    I hope Dems and NTs squirm every day he is in office for forcing this sham of a man on us.

    With all due respect, you forced Biden on us by renominating Trump.

    Hopefully the Republican Party will not make the same mistake in 2024, and President DeSantis will be elected.

    I sense a new tactic here to get out from under a Biden vote.  This is the “never accept responsibility” school of Biden voters.  Somewhere there is the “I was just wrong and pretty dumb” crowd, but apparently not here.

    • #12
  13. Django Member
    Django
    @Django

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Red Herring (View Comment):

    I hope Dems and NTs squirm every day he is in office for forcing this sham of a man on us.

    With all due respect, you forced Biden on us by renominating Trump.

    Hopefully the Republican Party will not make the same mistake in 2024, and President DeSantis will be elected.

    I sense a new tactic here to get out from under a Biden vote. This is the “never accept responsibility” school of Biden voters. Somewhere there is the “I was just wrong and pretty dumb” crowd, but apparently not here.

    Prosecutor: and exactly why did you rob that bank?

    Defendant: they forced me too. They wouldn’t give me the money willingly.

    • #13
  14. MarciN Member
    MarciN
    @MarciN

    I was in Florida in March, and in our hotel room there was a huge television screen. I found the screen mesmerizing. The people were lifelike, partly because they were practically life size. :-) At any rate, I happened to catch the live broadcast of Biden speaking at the NATO meeting about Putin and Ukraine. Watching him up close was alarming. He is certainly not at death’s door, but he does not look well, compared to this clip from 2013. In the 2013 clip, he was 70 (he’s 79 now).

    All of which is why I agree with this completely:

    Dr. Bastiat: He is as good as it gets right now.  His laziness and incompetence are what one hopes for in an adversary.  Nearly any other Democrat would likely be more even more effective at enacting Democrat policies.  So I say we do what we can to keep him in office.

    I don’t want a more aggressive Democrat. Especially one who has a House and Senate majority.

    And if Biden is taking two naps a day, that may be good news. :-)

    • #14
  15. DrewInWisconsin, Unapologetic Oaf Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Unapologetic Oaf
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    With all due respect, you forced Biden on us by renominating Trump.

    You have got to be redacted kidding with this redacted.

    “Look what you made me do”?

    C’mon, man. I’ve seen some stupid excuses for voting for Biden, but this one takes the redacted cake.

    • #15
  16. Django Member
    Django
    @Django

    Django (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Red Herring (View Comment):

    I hope Dems and NTs squirm every day he is in office for forcing this sham of a man on us.

    With all due respect, you forced Biden on us by renominating Trump.

    Hopefully the Republican Party will not make the same mistake in 2024, and President DeSantis will be elected.

    That may not be the stupidest thing I’ve read at ricochet, but it at least deserves honorable mention. Nobody “forced” you to vote for him. You could have done the honorable thing as I have done since 2000 and leave the top slot blank.

    My god-son knew that stuff wouldn’t fly by the time he was seven or eight.

    • #16
  17. Cassandro Coolidge
    Cassandro
    @Flicker

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Red Herring (View Comment):

    I hope Dems and NTs squirm every day he is in office for forcing this sham of a man on us.

    With all due respect, you forced Biden on us by renominating Trump.

    Hopefully the Republican Party will not make the same mistake in 2024, and President DeSantis will be elected.

    Gary, each person is personally responsible for his own vote.  If you voted for Trump you DIDN’T vote for Biden.  If you DID vote for Biden (and campaigned for him, and donated to his campaign) you are responsible for your own choice and the consequences that follow.  You lack the wherewithal to accept your own agency, and instead you transfer responsibility and blame for your own decisions onto others.  WV.

    • #17
  18. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    DrewInWisconsin, Unapologetic … (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    With all due respect, you forced Biden on us by renominating Trump.

    You have got to be redacted kidding with this redacted.

    “Look what you made me do”?

    C’mon, man. I’ve seen some stupid excuses for voting for Biden, but this one takes the redacted cake.

    Isn’t this ridiculous comment what this is all about:

    Anything that makes the Ricochet Community look like a bunch of radical fruitcakes.

     

    • #18
  19. Cassandro Coolidge
    Cassandro
    @Flicker

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    DrewInWisconsin, Unapologetic … (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    With all due respect, you forced Biden on us by renominating Trump.

    You have got to be redacted kidding with this redacted.

    “Look what you made me do”?

    C’mon, man. I’ve seen some stupid excuses for voting for Biden, but this one takes the redacted cake.

    Isn’t this ridiculous comment what this is all about:

    Anything that makes the Ricochet Community look like a bunch of radical fruitcakes.

    The CoC doesn’t apply to him.

    • #19
  20. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    Again, I think this is slightly naïve, Doc. The Left is ruthless in its pursuit of power. When Joe Biden gets to be an obstacle to the agenda, they’ll get rid of him. Three things the Left does professionally: bully, exploit, and lie.

    You don’t think Biden might “stroke” out one day? He has a history — plausible deniability and all that. And if Harris is too much of an embarrassment, she’ll be disappeared, too. 

    And I wouldn’t go so far as to say “we elected” him. I think the jury is out on that. And the prosecution isn’t even seriously investigating in order to bring a case. Banana republic time.

    • #20
  21. DaveSchmidt Coolidge
    DaveSchmidt
    @DaveSchmidt

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    For 50 years, he’s never expressed an interest in anything other than furthering the career of Joe Biden. Sacrificing for love of country is not his style. Just typing that made me chuckle.

    This is the key. Although there are signs that the MSM (e.g. NYT) wants him out, he is too much of on old pol to be moved along. I think he will be “persuaded” to not run again in return for some favorable good byes.

    The Navy can name an aircraft carrier after Biden.  Perhaps Obama could promise to locate the Biden Presidential “Library” on the grounds of the BHO center. [Of course Obama will fail to live up to the deal.] Maybe Dr. Jill can be offered the presidency of the University of Delaware. Who knows, Hunter Biden could be named ambassador to the PRC. 

    • #21
  22. navyjag Coolidge
    navyjag
    @navyjag

    Old Bathos (View Comment):

    The fist bump in Riyadh, the Irish analogy to Palestinian Arabs, the buffoonery was actually only about a 2 or 3 on the Biden scale.

    We think he may have given the Israelis a green light to take out the mullahs nukes but what will he remember or do his handlers think?

    The Saudis were never going to go into production overdrive just to reduce US pump prices and increase Democratic election chances. Biden was summoned by the “pariah” and got dissed, a failure on two levels.

    He did not crap his pants as he allegedly did in Rome and there were no photographed gropes or hair-sniffing of middle eastern girls. He did not make up silly stories or issue a policy statement that the WH had to scramble to retract.

    This is what passes for a successful foreign policy outing in our pathetic era. Congrats, Mr. President.

    I am not sure Israel needs a green light from Slow Joe to take out Iran. They have working on that project for many years. Even when Obama was the Iranian bagman. 

    • #22
  23. navyjag Coolidge
    navyjag
    @navyjag

    Red Herring (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Red Herring (View Comment):

    I hope Dems and NTs squirm every day he is in office for forcing this sham of a man on us.

    With all due respect, you forced Biden on us by renominating Trump.

    Hopefully the Republican Party will not make the same mistake in 2024, and President DeSantis will be elected.

    I forced nothing on you. Trump did good things as a President. You picked your poison poorly. I have no problem with Trump running again. And the NTs say Trump is petty. Gee whiz.

    Agree Red. But still prefer Desantis.  Much less drama and just as good a leader. 

    • #23
  24. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    navyjag (View Comment):

    Red Herring (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Red Herring (View Comment):

    I hope Dems and NTs squirm every day he is in office for forcing this sham of a man on us.

    With all due respect, you forced Biden on us by renominating Trump.

    Hopefully the Republican Party will not make the same mistake in 2024, and President DeSantis will be elected.

    I forced nothing on you. Trump did good things as a President. You picked your poison poorly. I have no problem with Trump running again. And the NTs say Trump is petty. Gee whiz.

    Agree Red. But still prefer Desantis. Much less drama and just as good a leader.

    Except he keeps saying that he won’t run, doesn’t he?  Because of his wife’s health problems, most likely.

    • #24
  25. Painter Jean Moderator
    Painter Jean
    @PainterJean

    kedavis (View Comment):

    navyjag (View Comment):

    Red Herring (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Red Herring (View Comment):

    I hope Dems and NTs squirm every day he is in office for forcing this sham of a man on us.

    With all due respect, you forced Biden on us by renominating Trump.

    Hopefully the Republican Party will not make the same mistake in 2024, and President DeSantis will be elected.

    I forced nothing on you. Trump did good things as a President. You picked your poison poorly. I have no problem with Trump running again. And the NTs say Trump is petty. Gee whiz.

    Agree Red. But still prefer Desantis. Much less drama and just as good a leader.

    Except he keeps saying that he won’t run, doesn’t he? Because of his wife’s health problems, most likely.

    Does he say he won’t run? I haven’t heard him say that. 

    • #25
  26. DonG (CAGW is a Hoax) Coolidge
    DonG (CAGW is a Hoax)
    @DonG

    Old Bathos (View Comment):
    the Irish analogy to Palestinian Arabs

    the Irish Catholics have for 20 years associated with the Palestinians and the Irish Protestants with Israel.   I don’t know why, but they do.

    A Mural in Belfast:

    Belfast: Palestinian Solidarity Mural | The Palestinian Soli… | Flickr

     

    • #26
  27. DaveSchmidt Coolidge
    DaveSchmidt
    @DaveSchmidt

    DonG (CAGW is a Hoax) (View Comment):

    Old Bathos (View Comment):
    the Irish analogy to Palestinian Arabs

    the Irish Catholics have for 20 years associated with the Palestinians and the Irish Protestants with Israel. I don’t know why, but they do.

    A Mural in Belfast:

    Belfast: Palestinian Solidarity Mural | The Palestinian Soli… | Flickr

     

    Early on the PLO and the IRA were partners.  

    • #27
  28. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    DaveSchmidt (View Comment):

    DonG (CAGW is a Hoax) (View Comment):

    Old Bathos (View Comment):
    the Irish analogy to Palestinian Arabs

    the Irish Catholics have for 20 years associated with the Palestinians and the Irish Protestants with Israel. I don’t know why, but they do.

    A Mural in Belfast:

    Belfast: Palestinian Solidarity Mural | The Palestinian Soli… | Flickr

     

    Early on the PLO and the IRA were partners.

    Yes, but the question really is WHY?

    • #28
  29. JoelB Member
    JoelB
    @JoelB

    I also can’t imagine anyone invoking the 25th amendment.  It’s not like we elected a healthy man who had a stroke a year later and ended up in a coma.  Mr. Biden is in very similar condition today as the day he was “elected”.  Maybe somewhat worse.  But he was like this during the election, which is why he didn’t campaign. 

    The heart of the matter is in the scare quotes. I will never be convinced that Biden was truly elected.

    • #29
  30. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Dr. Bastiat: So, yes, I suspect that the leaders of both parties would be happy if Mr. Biden were not president right now.  But in the real world, I just don’t see how that can happen.

    I do, and we can thank Hunter:

    https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/biden-hunter-laptop/2022/07/16/id/1079083/

    The question is, will Democrats go so far as to impeach Biden using his business dealings, or try an Article 25 replacement?  They could if they want to.  Pelosi would fight it because of her lush husband’s dealing with the ChiComs, but if the Republicans win back the House, bring up Articles of Impeachment for a vote, and enough Dems get on board?

    Anything can happen (other than Liz Cheney keeping her seat without cheating) . . .

    • #30
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