IAN BIRRELL FROM iNEWS
Biden’s success is tribute to his consensual style, his pragmatic approach and his refusal to accept defeat
Muddling up New Zealand’s rugby team with a British paramilitary unit from the past that was infamous for its brutality is an epic blunder, even for an elderly politician talking in a pub who admits he has always been “a gaffe machine”.
Fortunately, Joe Biden managed not to confuse the All Blacks with the Black and Tans in his set-piece speech to Ireland’s parliament the following day, raising his fist in triumph at getting his lines right to cheers from listening MPs. But beyond that horrendous slip, along with needing assistance from his son when fielding questions from children, the president’s feelgood trip to his ancestral homeland was a success.
It is far from ideal that the leader of the free world gets cheered for his ability not to muddle his words at a major event. Yet there is growing expectation that Biden – having cried at Knock Shrine, deftly navigated the difficult politics north of the border and showcased his trope of the Irish-American dream – will this week declare that he seeks a second stint in the White House.
Never mind that he is already the oldest president in US history, a frail man who would be 86 years old at the end of a second term. His mental capabilities are frequently questioned, he had a recent health scare over a cancerous skin lesion, and he indicated four years ago that he would only stick around for one term to soothe tensions tormenting his nation.
Yet all signals point towards a second term bid. This is remarkable – and revelatory. I watched four years ago as Biden campaigned for the Democratic nomination in Iowa and he looked utterly hopeless, a doddery duffer stumbling his way to defeat three decades after his first failed attempt ended in embarrassment because he plagiarised a Neil Kinnock speech.
He was trounced into fourth place in 2020. Then came triumph in South Carolina that set him on the path to power. But now barely one in four Americans want him to run again, his ratings are little better than his dreadful predecessor at this point in the presidency, his vice-president is deemed a disastrous flop and even most Democrats believe he is far too feeble for another tilt at the top job.
Yet Biden is unlikely to face serious challenge. This demonstrates deep-rooted fear on his side over Donald Trump’s possible return, with desire to avoid a divisive and potentially damaging battle. So, the next US presidential election might see another clash between these two ancient dinosaurs, although there are another 333 million citizens in the nation.
