Biden Somehow Even Failed on His Best Issue in Last Night’s Debate
SlateA few years ago—maybe even a few months ago—President Joe Biden could have waxed eloquent on foreign policy at a moment’s notice, highlighting the main talking points on a wide range of issues, unraveling their complexities, and persuasively presenting himself as a man who has immersed himself in the subject for decades. If the 2020 election hadn’t been stolen, he went on, Vladimir Putin “would have never invaded Ukraine … just like Israel would never have been invaded in a million years by Hamas” because “Iran was broke.” Biden replied, “I’ve never heard so much malarkey in my life.” He was right, but he didn’t elaborate. At one point, Biden criticized Trump for saying that he wouldn’t defend NATO allies from an attack—and in fact would encourage Putin to attack them—unless they spent more on defense. Biden, he claimed, is destroying Social Security “because millions of people are pouring into our country” and “they’re living in luxury hotels.” “He’s destroyed our country.” “He has become like a Palestinian but they don’t like him because he’s a very bad Palestinian, he’s a weak one.” “Joe could be a convicted felon with all of the things he’s done. He’s done horrible things … the worst presidency in the history of our country.” “He caused the inflation and it’s killing Black families and Hispanic families and just about everybody.