# Anybody who’s on the fence about Biden, or think he’s “lost a step” mentally should listen to this interview **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [December 23, 2023, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-who-s-on-the-fence-about-biden-or-think-he-s-lost-a-step-mentally-should-listen-to-this-interview/995049 "2023-12-23T16:59:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-who-s-on-the-fence-about-biden-or-think-he-s-lost-a-step-mentally-should-listen-to-this-interview/995049/41 "2023-12-24T04:03:08Z")
I don’t think any liberal sees Biden’s age as a positive, but a major primary struggle could be disastrous. The internecine battle could alienate a vital 5 or 10 percent of voters. And if a charismatic youngster thumped Joe in the primaries, and then was discovered to have major skeletons in the closet? Again, disastrous. Biden’s been vetted about as thoroughly as possible. The consequences of another Trump ‘presidency’ are possibly Civil War Level bad. We’ve got a horse that’s won before, and has a deep understanding of the dangers Trump presents. Fuck any youth movement. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-who-s-on-the-fence-about-biden-or-think-he-s-lost-a-step-mentally-should-listen-to-this-interview/995049/42 "2023-12-24T07:09:05Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > I was just paralleling the quote I was replying to. I know, but to me, “Dank Brandon” is a dude, but trump isnt. > [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > Could Josh Shapiro who? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-who-s-on-the-fence-about-biden-or-think-he-s-lost-a-step-mentally-should-listen-to-this-interview/995049/43 "2023-12-24T10:23:15Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > who? 😛 He’s the Governor of Pennsylvania (and perhaps one day Presidential material 🤞 ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-who-s-on-the-fence-about-biden-or-think-he-s-lost-a-step-mentally-should-listen-to-this-interview/995049/44 "2023-12-24T11:42:34Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > He’s the Governor of Pennsylvania (and perhaps one day Presidential material 🤞 I’m a big fan of the governor. I voted for him and would again. But anyone who thinks replacing Biden with Shapiro (even as a “what if” daydream), a fine, decent, and _Jewish_ fellow, is a net vote gain nationally over Biden—well, you might want to give it another think. And for the avoidance of all confusion, I’m pointing out the realpolitik reality, not at all endorsing it. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-who-s-on-the-fence-about-biden-or-think-he-s-lost-a-step-mentally-should-listen-to-this-interview/995049/45 "2023-12-24T12:28:36Z")
Again, I’m not at all suggesting replacing Biden with anyone. I was just clarifying who I was talking about previously. I like Biden. He’s our guy, and should be supported fully. Agreed that Shapiro is too young politically, if nothing else, to take on Trump even hypothetically. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-who-s-on-the-fence-about-biden-or-think-he-s-lost-a-step-mentally-should-listen-to-this-interview/995049/46 "2023-12-24T13:10:50Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > It’s like selling me a 30-year old Toyota that still runs well. Sure, but why should I buy it when I, for the same price, can get a 2-year old Toyota that runs equally well or better? (Maybe not the best analogy) In the end, the choice is likely to be between a 30 year old Toyota and a 29 year old, fireballing Ford Maverick. And we all know how Trumpers feel about anything that’s not 'Murican, damnit! ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-who-s-on-the-fence-about-biden-or-think-he-s-lost-a-step-mentally-should-listen-to-this-interview/995049/47 "2023-12-24T14:01:47Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > …when there are many thousands of other, much-younger Democrats who are also as equally or more mentally sharp. Do you **seriously** think there are _many thousands_ of individuals-- among the citizenship, let alone in either party-- who are qualified to be a competent, effective President of the United States? _Many thousands_? Being mentally sharp is a necessary but nowhere near sufficient qualification for the office. _Experience_ IMHO is the _sine qua non_ of all qualifications for President. That means experience in high office, preferably Congress. Then there’s maturity, good character, compassion, kindness, toughness, leadership ability, _life experience_, willingness to work with the Other Side, intelligence, _literacy_ FFS, etc., etc. And you think there are MANY THOUSANDS of individuals in the country who possess those characteristics? Right. 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-who-s-on-the-fence-about-biden-or-think-he-s-lost-a-step-mentally-should-listen-to-this-interview/995049/48 "2023-12-24T15:12:35Z")
What’s your number of individuals who could do the job well? This isn’t an argumentative question-I’m curious as to your answer. I’d say maybe 20-30 in my book, though I couldn’t name them all, and a couple aren’t technically viable for one reason or another. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-who-s-on-the-fence-about-biden-or-think-he-s-lost-a-step-mentally-should-listen-to-this-interview/995049/49 "2023-12-24T15:33:51Z")
Thank you, OP, for sharing this. I just posted the link on my Facebook page, with this comment: “Joe Biden has a wonderful talk with Conan O’Brien. Use this as “ammo” if anyone tells you Biden is “losing it.” He’s fun, on-the-ball, articulate, thoughtful, compassionate, and has a strong memory for details. They spend much of the time talking about cars! Seriously, give it a listen.” So, maybe there was a little post-production editing, but that’s true of any recorded conversation. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-who-s-on-the-fence-about-biden-or-think-he-s-lost-a-step-mentally-should-listen-to-this-interview/995049/50 "2023-12-24T15:46:50Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > Thank you, OP, for sharing this. I just posted the link on my Facebook page, with this comment: Thank _ **you** _, for getting the word out, that’s great! Not to mention, ‘Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend’ is just an excellent all-around podcast, probably my favorite podcast. Conan is a great long-form interviewer; serious when he needs to be, but also with the quickest wit and one of the funniest comic minds in the biz. He has great chemistry with his podcast partners Sona Movsesion and Matt Gourley, who make great comic foils. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-who-s-on-the-fence-about-biden-or-think-he-s-lost-a-step-mentally-should-listen-to-this-interview/995049/51 "2023-12-24T15:53:11Z")
Good to know. I will enjoy more of his podcast episodes in coming weeks. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-who-s-on-the-fence-about-biden-or-think-he-s-lost-a-step-mentally-should-listen-to-this-interview/995049/52 "2023-12-24T15:58:46Z")
I wouldn’t argue with your numbers. Certainly not thousands, nor even hundreds. ---
**Author:** ![Jumpbass](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jumpbass/32/147_2.png) [@Jumpbass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jumpbass)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-who-s-on-the-fence-about-biden-or-think-he-s-lost-a-step-mentally-should-listen-to-this-interview/995049/53 "2023-12-24T16:08:16Z")
Sidetrack- Matt Gourley is on it? Sold. I remember him from Nerdist, but I’ve subscribed to his podcast James Bonding with Matt Mira for years. It’s semi- active, but an awful lot of fun. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-who-s-on-the-fence-about-biden-or-think-he-s-lost-a-step-mentally-should-listen-to-this-interview/995049/54 "2023-12-24T16:17:35Z")
> [@MyFootsZZZ](#): > > I mean, do you want us to worship him like Trump supporters worship Trump? When I start seeing Biden flags flying from pickups I’ll start worrying about man-worship. I’d throw in, “Lock him up!” but it’s just too tempting. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-who-s-on-the-fence-about-biden-or-think-he-s-lost-a-step-mentally-should-listen-to-this-interview/995049/55 "2023-12-24T16:19:45Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > What’s your number of individuals who could do the job well? Zero. The job is now, and for some time has been, beyond any plausible human capacity. Even without a non-functional Congress. Having said that: some people can come a lot closer than others; and somebody’s gonna have to do it. I think Biden’s been doing at least as well as could be expected. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-who-s-on-the-fence-about-biden-or-think-he-s-lost-a-step-mentally-should-listen-to-this-interview/995049/56 "2023-12-24T16:42:37Z")
> [@Jumpbass](#): > > Sidetrack- Matt Gourley is on it? Sold. I remember him from Nerdist, but I’ve subscribed to his podcast James Bonding with Matt Mira for years. It’s semi- active, but an awful lot of fun. I first became aware of Gourley through the absurdist sketch podcast [Superego](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superego_(podcast)); now defunct, but well worth checking out if you haven’t heard it. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-who-s-on-the-fence-about-biden-or-think-he-s-lost-a-step-mentally-should-listen-to-this-interview/995049/57 "2023-12-24T20:59:54Z")
> [@Jumpbass](#): > > Sidetrack- Matt Gourley is on it? The exchanges between Matt and Conan are frequent and awesome. If Conan started a new TV show with Matt as his sidekick I’d watch the crap out of it. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2023, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-who-s-on-the-fence-about-biden-or-think-he-s-lost-a-step-mentally-should-listen-to-this-interview/995049/58 "2023-12-25T01:30:49Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > What’s your number of individuals who could do the job well? Zero, because it is an impossible job. The number who could do it as well as Biden is in the thousands. The number who do it as well as Trump must be in the tens of millions. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2023, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-who-s-on-the-fence-about-biden-or-think-he-s-lost-a-step-mentally-should-listen-to-this-interview/995049/59 "2023-12-25T01:36:21Z")
Withdrawn … ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2023, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-who-s-on-the-fence-about-biden-or-think-he-s-lost-a-step-mentally-should-listen-to-this-interview/995049/60 "2023-12-25T01:42:19Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Do you **seriously** think there are _many thousands_ of individuals-- among the citizenship, let alone in either party-- who are qualified to be a competent, effective President of the United States? _Many thousands_? > > Being mentally sharp is a necessary but nowhere near sufficient qualification for the office. _Experience_ IMHO is the _sine qua non_ of all qualifications for President. That means experience in high office, preferably Congress. > > Then there’s maturity, good character, compassion, kindness, toughness, leadership ability, _life experience_, willingness to work with the Other Side, intelligence, _literacy_ FFS, etc., etc. Experience in high office is of trivial importance compared to good judgment, emotional intelligence, and foreign policy knowledge. The people who would be best at the job are largely immune to opposition research and so might win in November. However they cannot be nominated. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-who-s-on-the-fence-about-biden-or-think-he-s-lost-a-step-mentally-should-listen-to-this-interview/995049.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-who-s-on-the-fence-about-biden-or-think-he-s-lost-a-step-mentally-should-listen-to-this-interview/995049.md?page=4)