In the wake of President Joe Biden’s debate debacle on June 27, one voice was noticeably absent—that of Whoopi Goldberg. The leading lady of ABC’s “The View” was taking a well-deserved break when the disaster unfolded. But let’s be honest: Debates rarely cause a significant shift in public opinion.
However, what we don’t usually see is candidates’ campaigns releasing a 90-second ad post-debate featuring the opposing candidate speaking – or trying to speak – without their own candidate uttering a word. This is precisely what former President Donald Trump’s team managed to do:
Despite this, Whoopi made it abundantly clear that Biden would have to do significantly more to lose her vote.
“I mean, I’m just adding my two cents because I wasn’t here when y’all discussed it: I don’t care if he’s had an accident,” Whoopi stated on Monday’s edition of “The View.”
“I don’t care if he can’t form a coherent sentence. Show me he can’t do the job, then I’ll say, OK — maybe it’s time for him to step down,” she added.
She referred back to the June 2019 Democratic candidates’ debate where Kamala Harris effectively called Biden a racist. This was for aligning with Dixiecrats over school busing and then citing his ability to work with them as evidence of a bygone era of “civility” in Washington:
For Goldberg, the 2019 debate is proof that Biden can bounce back from the 2024 debacle.
So, according to Whoopi Goldberg, it’s only time for Biden to step down when he can’t fulfill his duties as the leader of the free world. Even if he were to accidentally soil himself or struggle with forming sentences – which we know has happened – that wouldn’t be sufficient reason for him to recuse himself from the presidency.
This perspective comes from a co-host of “The View,” a show significantly less critical than the presidency but where completing a sentence or maintaining control over one’s bodily functions is generally required for continued employment.
We learn two things from this episode, both related to denial.
On the Democratic side, there is a denial of Biden’s condition. Goldberg mentioned Kamala schooling Biden five years ago as evidence that he can overcome adversity. But overcoming political adversity and mitigating the natural effects of aging are two entirely different things.
It’s impossible to change the reality of one’s ability if it doesn’t exist in the first place. Biden’s performance during the debate with Trump and his subsequent interviews prove that this ability is either entirely or almost entirely lacking. This isn’t about perception or temporary setbacks; it’s about the harsh realities of aging.
On the Republican side, it’s worth noting that this will be the Democratic line if Joe Biden doesn’t drop out. As Goldberg’s reaction shows, proving them wrong won’t be as easy as it sounds.
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