By Ray Cardello for March 17, 2023 Season 17 / Post 1

Joe Biden is what I call a Convenient Catholic. He portrays himself as a devout Catholic to the point you might think he is still an altar boy on weekends when away from his day job. He is so convenient a Catholic that recently, the Church hinted it might deny Biden receiving the Sacraments, including Holy Communion.

Biden has flip-flopped on numerous issues during his fifty-year political career. The Crime Bill he claims, was one of his biggest accomplishments as Senator, to an era of going soft on crime, and now not agreeing with the Washington, D.C. Crime Bill. He was Pro-Life before he became Pro-choice. He was against Gay Marriage in the Senate before he supported Gay Unions as VP and President. If you do not agree with one of Biden’s policy stands, just wait a day, and it may change.

Some people may change their beliefs over time as facts and data change. Sometimes, we respect people for allowing their stands to evolve. For Biden, however, this has happened too often and appears to be because it is politically expedient. Some of his flips are not endearing him with Democrats. Specifically, his decision on the D.C. Crime Bill and the drilling in Alaska have many people shaking their heads.

Biden’s life is a series of flip-flops which makes it very difficult to take any of his policy positions seriously. That makes it difficult for his opponents as well as his proponents. That is not what you want or need in a leader. You should expect consistency in beliefs, and you do not get that with Joe.

Most Presidents will track toward the middle as they enter the second half of the first term. This tactic worked well for Bill Clinton, allowing him to win a second term easily. You could argue that Joe Biden is taking a page from Bill, but there seems to be much doubt about Biden’s commitment to run. There are obvious questions about his health and mental well-being, and he has to be looking at his horrendous poll numbers. Jill is all in for a run, and for that, she should be vilified, but her desires for four more years in the White House may not align with Joe’s, and certainly not with the American voters. If, and damn, that is a big if, the election is fair, there are so many Republicans who would beat Joe handily.

One thing that will come back to kick Joe in the butt is not making changes in his staff. Take your pick. Buttigieg, Mayorkas, Granholm, Garland, and even Yellin have underperformed. For Joe not to identify these deficiencies is a knock on his leadership abilities. His base will overlook this, but independents will not.

The other element that will blow up a second run, which would actually be his fourth, is the Hunter situation. The money trail is getting more robust, and the House smells blood in the water. They will push to get Hunter charged in plenty of time to kill Biden’s thoughts of a second term. Of course, he could pray for divine intervention, but I am not sure his call will be answered.