Staff Reports
Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-CA) is trying her best to juggle damage control and reality denial after President Joe Biden’s recent debate disaster. She’s been downplaying the waves of concern flooding the Democratic Party, yet urges Team Biden not to dismiss the growing unease.
So, what did Butler have to say about Biden’s latest slip-up that had ordinary folks scratching their heads in disbelief? She insists the concern is being taken “seriously,” though one has to wonder what that actually means coming from a party that’s been practicing mental gymnastics for years. Imagine saying, “It was not a debate performance anybody expected,” as if Biden hasn’t been gaffe-prone for the entirety of his political career.
Interview: California's newest senator, Laphonza Butler, on Trump, Gaza and her future: Sen. Laphonza Butler discusses America's challenges and the next presidential election, the war in Gaza and what she hopes to… https://t.co/FDUvcugF8Y #California_Politics_ #Israel_Hamas pic.twitter.com/asp0TCZ78t
— Marcus Evans 📚 ⚛️ 🔭 ⚖️ 💙 🎼 🏅 (@MarcuswevansSr) January 18, 2024
The Senate, currently on recess for the July 4 holiday, briefly saw Butler convening a pro forma session. Essentially, it was a lot of show without any substance, much like the President’s debate performance. Butler is going full throttle in defending Biden, while he seems to be running on empty. She even repeatedly praised Vice President Kamala Harris, calling her a loyal trooper for backing Biden’s sinking ship.
Butler succeeded Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), who passed away at 90 after years of mental decline. Sound familiar? It’s almost like Democrats have a thing for octogenarians in cognitive decline. When asked if Biden’s frequent mental lapses were a regular occurrence, Butler deflected, focusing instead on Harris and her readiness to campaign.
Senators are stepping very gingerly around Biden’s flubs or outright criticizing the nonchalant attitude of his campaign. Sen. Peter Welch, for instance, took aim at the dismissive nature of Biden’s team towards legitimate concerns – something Welch said needs addressing from top to bottom, right down to precinct captains.
Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) expressed his horror at Biden’s performance, calling for transparency about whether this was a one-time anomaly or the new normal. Meanwhile, Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) officially broke ranks by suggesting Biden shouldn’t run for reelection, implying the President needs to put country over self – a concept alien to career politicians.
Despite the uproar, the Biden campaign is sticking to its script, denying any lack of communication with congressional Democrats about the President’s fitness. Allegedly, Biden has personally spoken with multiple elected officials since the debate. Perhaps they’re banking on voters having as much faith in these reassurances as Biden remembering his next line.
In the end, it’s more of the same: Democrats trying to keep the facade intact while the cracks become ever more glaring. It’s almost a tragic comedy at this point – if only the stakes weren’t so high.
