Tonight, the acting President of the United States will give the last significant speech of his political career.
OK, that’s not true. Whoever is acting as the current leader of the free world, it sure as hell isn’t Joe Biden.
As for significant speeches, he gave his last one three weeks ago when he announced he was caving to Nancy Pelosi’s pressure and dropping out of the race.
“In recent weeks, it’s become clear to me that I need to unite my party in this critical endeavor,” Biden said in an unintentionally candid moment. Not “unite my country” or “unite the people. It’s “unite my party.”
And boy, is the party united. Ecstatic. Higher than Hunter Biden in a Bogota brothel.
And why are Democrats so filled with joy? Is it because of the astonishing political talent that is Kamala Harris?
No, Mr. Semi-President. They’re just so happy to be dumping you.
Remember how downtrodden New Hampshire Democrats were just a month ago? Former state party chair Kathy Sullivan was screaming like a Teamster at a protest rally — “Suck it up, Buttercup!” She knew, like we all did, that Biden was done, that his every public appearance was a painful embarrassment.
But the Democratic establishment would not tolerate any dissent. “You’ll get Biden, and you’ll like it!”
There were times when Democrats attempting to defend Biden’s candidacy during cable TV hits appeared to be in actual physical pain. “He’s fit to serve,” they’d wince. “Four more years,” they’d grimace.
It’s easy to understand why: Joe Biden was the “kidney stone” candidate. Every day after the June 27 presidential debate was politically excruciating for Democrats who could see certain doom on the horizon.
But then, thanks to the expert bladework of Pelosi, the kidney stone that was Biden was passed by the body politic, and endorphin-pumped ecstasy ensued.
Which is why, when Biden takes the stage at the Democratic National Convention tonight, he’ll receive a long and loud ovation from a truly grateful audience.
After all, he did something no other person has ever done: He gave up his party’s nomination for president, despite having already won it.
Pundits keep comparing Biden to LBJ, but that’s not even close. LBJ was never the nominee. He got out early, before he could be humiliated by the outcome.
Biden, on the other hand, had the nomination in the bag. He was already the nominee, and the DNC had made sure months ago that he would be. They engineered the primary calendar so that, with the help of New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley and the state party establishment, Biden wouldn’t have to face any major challenges.
Like serious primary opponents. Or stairs.
And now he’s being stripped of something he’s wanted since he was a loudmouth law student at Syracuse University. It’s going to be tough to watch.
Which is why Biden’s going to speak on Monday night.
Monday night at a national political convention is a ratings ghetto. It’s where you put people you can’t keep off the stage, but you still hope to keep away from the voters. Don’t believe it? The other major speaker tonight:
Hillary Clinton.
Why not have Biden introduce his vice president in prime time on Thursday? Why not make the Biden presidency the centerpiece of this historic convention?
Because despite the endorphins and the ecstasy and the eternal gratitude, he’s still Joe Biden: The most unpopular incumbent president since Jimmy Carter.
Biden’s record as president is abysmal. When he took office, inflation was 1.4 percent, mortgage interest rates were 2.9 percent, and the total number of countries governed by the Taliban — or Russian tanks in Ukraine proper — was zero. Trillions in new spending and new debt (non-COVID debt spending was twice as high under Biden as under Trump), and the cost of consumer goods is about 20 percent higher than when Biden took office.
Public school test scores are down, hate crimes are up, Iran is wealthier and more aggressive, while Israel is under siege.
There are almost no metrics by which America or the world are better off today than on Jan. 20, 2021.
And so, when you hear the crowds cheering, when you see the “Dark Brandon” t-shirts and Democratic delegates in their aviator sunglasses, when you see the tear-filled eyes and beaming faces, remember: It’s all from the heart.
Joe Biden: Forgotten, but not gone.
And nobody is happier to see him go than the Democratic Party.
