The Stream

The Brew: Depleted, Despondent Joe Biden Quit Race to ‘Save Democracy,’ Doesn’t Explain What (Or Who) Made Him Change His Mind

By Al Perrotta Published on July 25, 2024 •

Al Perrotta

Happy Thursday!

We’ve got a full Brew pouring after last night’s Oval Office address. 

Joe Biden Explains His Withdrawal from Presidential Race … Sort Of

Raspy and weak, with his voice occasionally dropping to a whisper, Joe Biden struggled his way through an address to the nation, ostensibly designed to explain his decision to drop out of the 2024 election.

However, in his brief remarks, Biden did not explain why the man who was chosen as his party’s nominee would abandon the race when, in his own words, he believes “my record as president, my leadership in the world, my vision for America’s future, all merited a second term.” There was no explanation of why he changed his mind seemingly so suddenly.

Instead, the president spoke nebulously and unsteadily about how he “needed to unite my party.” That “saving democracy” was more important than “personal ambition.” That to accomplish this, it was “time to pass the torch” to a “new generation.” The “time and place is now.” Again, why? Because of polls? Not having the health or energy to do it? Or because a bunch of political gangsters put a horse’s head in your bed?

Even on its own terms, what Biden was saying was gibberish. The only way for democracy to be “saved” was to deep-six the democratic process? American democracy is over unless Kamala Harris runs for president?

“Kings and queens do not rule,” he said, dropping to a whisper, “the people do.” Sure. If those people are named Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Jeffrey Katzenberg. Because it certainly wasn’t the 14 million Democratic primary voters who made this decision.

Last night’s speech made clear: Joe Biden didn’t pass the torch. It was ripped from his cold, nearly lifeless hands.

The Difference Between Joe Biden and Donald Trump: One Is Shot. The Other Had Part of His Ear Blown Off

Biden talked about his plans to “finish the job,” and rattled off a few priorities. But did he look and sound like someone who really had the ability to carry forward? Did he sound like someone charged up to finish strong? All he spoke of lying ahead for him rang hollow, just words on a teleprompter. The mood was not the passing of the torch, but the passing of a hearse, less of a new direction than a dirge. Fox News reports some Biden family members were in tears. 

But good news: According to CNN, after he finished his speech, Biden was rewarded with ice cream.

He’ll get no mint chocolate chip from Ben Shapiro.

“He finished by saying, let’s act together to preserve our democracy. That’s maybe the biggest lie of all,” Shapiro said. “It’s precisely that lie that leads people to think that it is a good idea to take a shot at your rival.”

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee gave a heartfelt assessment: “All politics aside it’s sad to watch Biden slur through a farewell speech with glassy eyes and a weak voice. I agree with him that there’s no place for violence. Was hoping he would condemn the violence this very day in DC by Hamas supporters.”

The Takeover by Foreign Enemies

The American flag fell in the nation’s capital Wednesday, just down the street from the White House. Pro-Hamas thugs brought down the three flags flying in front of historic Union Station, burned them … and raised the Palestinian flag in their place.

Painted on a monument were the words, “Hamas is coming.” Looks like they’re already here.

Meanwhile, NORAD reported Wednesday night that two Russian fighter jets and two Chinese bombers were intercepted in international waters just off Alaska. The planes were operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone. A joint military exercise took place off our coast by China and Russia, while the commander-in-chief fumbled and faded. 

During his speech, Biden made the peculiar — no, dishonest — claim. “I’m the first president in this century to report to the American people that the United States is not at war anywhere in the world.”

Look at the streets of our capital. Look at our skies off Alaska. Look at our ships in the Middle East constantly under attack from Iranian surrogates. Look at our deepening involvement in the fight against Russia in Ukraine. His words are patently untrue.

FBI Director Testifies on Trump Assassination Attempt

I want to play Trivial Pursuit against members of the Biden administration. None seems capable of answering the simplest questions. Still, we did get a little bit of info out of FBI Director Christopher Wray yesterday when he testified before the House Oversight Committee.

For example, we learned that shooter Thomas Crooks managed to livestream his drone surveillance of the Butler rally site. Wray also confirmed that Crooks had an explosive transmitter and used encrypted messaging apps.

Wray says Crooks did not use a ladder to get on that roof. He may as well been given a boost by the Secret Service. (Has anyone checked Kimberly Cheatle’s back for footprints?)

Wray also revealed that Crooks googled “How far away was Oswald from Kennedy” the same day he registered for the Trump rally.

But the basics remain unanswered:

As to whether Crooks also flew a plane over the site with a large banner reading “I Plan on Shooting Trump,” that remains unconfirmed.

During the hearing, Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) implied Trump was somehow responsible for getting shot in the head because Trump was the one talking about a “bloodbath” (in an entirely different context.)

Odious? It is now an insult to Jabba the Hutt to compare Nadler to him.

Meanwhile, another security failure: Somehow anti-Israel activists from the DC Palestinian Youth Movement infiltrated the Watergate Hotel where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is staying and released maggots, crickets, and other critters in the Israeli conference room and throughout the hotel.

The Federalist’s Sean Davis observed, “The Biden-Harris regime, which is responsible for protecting foreign dignitaries and former presidents, is really good at not protecting people it wants to be attacked by its left-wing footsoldiers.”

Along the Stream

The new “Conversations with Christians Engaged” podcast is up: “Rep. Brandon Williams on the Simplicity of Prayer.” 

Yesterday’s serving of Al’s Afternoon Tea looks at Harris snubbing Bibi Netanyahu while searching for a running mate.

 

Al Perrotta is The Stream’s Washington bureau chief, coauthor with John Zmirak of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration, and coauthor of the counterterrorism memoir Hostile Intent: Protecting Yourself Against Terrorism.

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