The Test

Joe Biden is old.

And yet somehow he hasn't committed adultery on three separate wives. He has never paid hush money to a porn star. He has never bragged about sexual assault. He has never been found liable for sexual abuse costing him $5 million and then proceeded to defame that very same person costing him an additional $83 million 9 months later. He has never paled around with Jeffrey Epstein. 

He has never had multiple failed businesses. He has never had to borrow $400 million from his father. He has never declared bankruptcy six times. He has never hired undocumented workers or stiffed contractors. He has never tried and failed to merge a USFL team with the National Football League. He has never been ordered to pay $364 million in a fraud case. 

He has never bowed down to Vladimir Putin. He has never saluted a North Korean general. He has never broken off a nuclear deal with Iran. He has never abandoned America's Kurdish allies. He has never removed the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement. He has never caged and separated innocent children from their parents at the border. He has never banned Muslims from entering our country. He has never supported the dissociation of NATO. He has never lost the respect and admiration of America's longstanding allies. 

So why all the concern about Joe Biden's age from fellow Democrats?

Four years ago we had a small bit vocal group of Democrats who had no concern about supporting Bernie Sanders, who is actually older than Joe Biden and had a heart attack on the 2020 campaign trail. The same man who famously fought, and lost, a battle with a shower door. What is it now, all of a sudden, that has gotten certain Democrats' knickers in a twist about the age of the party's nominee?

While President Joe Biden has shown no visible signs that he is unable to continue in the role, a handful of Democrats have been more than happy to adopt Republican talking points over the past few weeks. Leading the charge has been Dean Phillips, or the Democratic DeSantis as I've come to call him. But Dimwit Dean is not alone. Jon Stewart awoke from his 8-year slumber this past Monday and right out of the gate chose to attack Joe Biden's age. Not to be outdone is podcast bro Jon Favreau who is now quoting Ezra Klein in trying to share his newfound concern about Biden's age as well. The closer we get to the election, the closer we seem to get "concern" from a troubling triumvirate of politicians, TV pundits, and podcasters who are suddenly worried about Joe Biden's cognitive abilities should Democrats retain the White House in 2024.

That is no accident. Their concern is real. But not for the reason they give to their adoring audiences. 

The real reason that these alleged "Democrats" are concerned about Joe Biden's age is because of what, or should I say who, comes next.

And that person just so happens to be Kamala Devi Harris.

You see, folks like Dean Phillips, Jon Stewart, and Jon Favreau aren't really concerned about Joe Biden's age but instead are concerned about Kamala Harris' ascent into the Oval Office. Because that is the conclusion if something were to happen to Joe Biden. When a Democrat or Democratic supporter expresses concern about Joe Biden's age, what he is actually saying is that he doesn't have confidence in the Vice President to assume the role. He is saying that despite the significant experience that Madam Vice President has accrued, she still isn't ready to step into Joe Biden's shoes. They can twist and turn themselves into a human pretzel trying to deny it, but deep down inside they don't actually want someone with Kamala Harris' melanin levels and female genitalia to become the most powerful person in the world.

Think I'm wrong? Check out social media. How many prominent Democrats of color are expressing concern about Joe Biden's age? Are any Black or Brown congressmen or congresswomen saying anything? Is James Clyburn concerned about his friend's age? Is Barack Obama expressing any doubts behind the scenes? Why is it that the individuals expressing concern just so happen to share the same need for sunscreen on a warm summer day?

The danger of White privilege is that it clouds your worldview. You express doubt that something is possible because you have never seen it before. It causes you to try and hold on to these preconceived ideas as long as possible. Joe Biden is a tremendously strong nominee. And I personally have zero doubt that Kamala Harris could step in and do the job should something happen. Holding both these truths can and should be the standard for all Democratic voters in 2024. If for whatever reason you don't reach this conclusion, you have to ask yourself why. What is it you fear about Joe Biden's age? Do you genuinely have concerns about a lively 81-year-old being reelected? Or do you fear something entirely different?

This is an uncomfortable question to be sure. But it has to be asked. Because there are zero non-ageist arguments to remove Joe Biden from the top of the ticket. If you're a so-called Democrat who actually believes that he is incapable of holding the office of the presidency of the United States, then you know who is next in line. It is there where your concern trolling goes into overdrive. If you don't think Kamala Harris is ready to go on day one, that's a sign. That's a sign that you don't trust Joe Biden or Kamala Harris to lead the country. And if you don't think Joe Biden or Kamala Harris are the best choice to lead the country away from Republican fascism in 2024 then you can go right ahead and stop calling yourself a Democrat. 

Because nobody in their right mind would think any different. 

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