# How should Biden finish out his Presidency? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [July 25, 2024, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-biden-finish-out-his-presidency/1004791 "2024-07-25T20:42:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-biden-finish-out-his-presidency/1004791/41 "2024-07-26T07:59:07Z")
How should Biden finish out his presidency? To paraphrase Hunter S. Thompson, who was speaking about death, but I think it also applies to Biden’s presidency: "… One should aim to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, glass of Scotch in the other, your body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming “WOO HOO! Man, what a ride!” Hunter S. Thompson, _The Proud Highway_. What form that takes when it comes to Mr. Biden, I don’t know, but he ought to consider it in his last months of being President. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-biden-finish-out-his-presidency/1004791/42 "2024-07-26T09:52:38Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > For his next State of the Union, he should walk in carring a PBR tall boy. After he takes his position, but before he starts speaking, he turns around to Mike Johnson and says, “Hold this.” Bud Light. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-biden-finish-out-his-presidency/1004791/43 "2024-07-26T10:27:58Z")
Bold mine: > [@Tamerlane](#): > > Yeah, **he was a victim of malicious persecution.** But Hunter was properly convicted by a jury, he did commit a crime **even if it is one that is not usually pursued.** This to me is very reason for the pardon power existing, a way to be free for such things where one is not being treated fairly. Yes there is the other reason that to excuse someone who has shown repentance, but I do feel the real reason is the first, which Hunter fits perfectly as his prosecution is politically motivated. > [@Tamerlane](#): > > It is highly, highly likely that he did (legally) trade on his father’s name at some point in his life. **Which while not illegal,** Full stop here on the bold, ‘not illegal’. It does ot matter how you feel about it. Plenty of things are not liked but not a crime. That’s a reason not to vote for Hunter, but Hunter is not running for anything. > [@Tamerlane](#): > > Vindictiveness to piss off the other side is what drives many of the worst MAGA-types. You don’t give in to bullies. > [@Irishman](#): > > As far as Hunter, if Trump wins maybe, but if Harris wins, I don’t see Joe pardoning him. Better to protect the precedent that the justice system is independent. Harris could then grant a commutation on grounds that the conviction and punishment were politically motivated. If Trump wins I could see Joe pardoning Hunter, along with some other acts, then stepping down and allowing Harris to be president for the remainder which she could place a blanket pardon to stop the revenge against Biden and his family that Trump threatened. Perhaps some other acts that the SCOTUS gave the president immunity from. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-biden-finish-out-his-presidency/1004791/44 "2024-07-26T12:24:30Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > If Trump wins I could see Joe pardoning Hunter, along with some other acts, then stepping down and allowing Harris to be president for the remainder which she could place a blanket pardon to stop the revenge against Biden and his family that Trump threatened. That’s an interesting idea. If Trump manages to win, stepping down prior to the end of his term and having Harris storn in, even for a month, would be an interesting capstone. We would thereby achieve officially the first woman President, even if just a shorttermer, just to break that hurdle. And it would allow him to step down with dignity, preserving the precedent of not using the power for personal gain, but then Harris could do all the things to protect the Biden family and others with preemptive pardons. That fits with what Ford did for Nixon. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-biden-finish-out-his-presidency/1004791/45 "2024-07-26T13:13:13Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > then stepping down and allowing Harris to be president for the remainder In _this_ universe, not until after Congress certifies the Elector Votes. Oh sure, they’ll scream and shout “conflict” because the candidate herself is sitting in the Chair. Hey, not the first time. so… does the Prez have any way to figuratively grab some R state legislatures by the throat and make sure no Elector bulldada is attempted? ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-biden-finish-out-his-presidency/1004791/46 "2024-07-26T13:50:00Z")
> [@SuntanLotion](#): > > > [@Cervaise](#): > > > > For his next State of the Union, he should walk in carring a PBR tall boy. After he takes his position, but before he starts speaking, he turns around to Mike Johnson and says, “Hold this.” > > Bud Light. Go full Rehoboth Beach: Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-biden-finish-out-his-presidency/1004791/47 "2024-07-26T14:19:22Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > It does ot matter how you feel about it. But of course it does, to me 😉. We’re just mooks on a message board - nothing much that we say matters even one little bit. My feeling is I feel bad for Joe Biden, not particularly bad for Hunter Biden who made his own bed. > [@kanicbird](#): > > You don’t give in to bullies. You also don’t let your political policy by guided by tit for tat petty vindictiveness (really you shouldn’t let anything in your life be guided by petty vindictiveness). If someone wants to retroactively pardon Hunter down the road for being a lying tax cheat (not yet convicted on the second), that’s one thing. His father doing it would not only be politically damaging but wrong IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-biden-finish-out-his-presidency/1004791/48 "2024-07-26T14:36:42Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > For his next State of the Union, he should walk in carring a PBR tall boy. After he takes his position, but before he starts speaking, he turns around to Mike Johnson and says, “Hold this.” Alas, he actually won’t have one. The next such address will likely be in late January of next year, and will be given by the newly-inaugurated president (and, won’t technically be called a “State of the Union” address, as the president will have only been on the job for a short time). The last outgoing president to deliver a SotU was Jimmy Carter in 1981, and he submitted a written letter to Congress rather than deliver a speech. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-biden-finish-out-his-presidency/1004791/49 "2024-07-26T15:33:11Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > The next such address will likely be in late January of next year In recent history of newly-elected Presidents: Biden’s first SOTU was April 28, 2021 Trump’s first SOTU was February 28, 2017 Obama’s first SOTU was February 24, 2009 As you noted, the outgoing president was well out the door by the dates of these speeches. ---
**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:** [July 26, 2024, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-biden-finish-out-his-presidency/1004791/50 "2024-07-26T15:39:31Z")
One thing Biden’s just done is appoint Val Demings to the Board of the Post Office, so hopefully any DeJoy mischief can be reigned in for Kamala. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-biden-finish-out-his-presidency/1004791/51 "2024-07-26T22:02:09Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > My feeling is I feel bad for Joe Biden, not particularly bad for Hunter Biden who made his own bed. Would you feel bad for Hunter if he were locked up in prison for 20 years over it? Is there a point that _you_ think the punishment wouldn’t fit the crime, that the Reps are just being vindictive a-holes and Hunter is the poor victim? And you aren’t on board for a Pardon, but what about the aforementioned commutation? He stays convicted for his actions, but the punishment dialed down? ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-biden-finish-out-his-presidency/1004791/52 "2024-07-26T22:11:04Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > Would you feel bad for Hunter if he were locked up in prison for 20 years over it? I would, yes. But he hasn’t been sentenced yet (October?), so we’ll see. Although he faces up to 25 years/$750k, normal sentencing guidelines apparently would be 15-21 months given this is a first-time offence. If it were something excessively beyond that, I’d consider that unfair. For whatever it’s worth, Joe Biden has repeatedly stated he will not pardon Hunter. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-biden-finish-out-his-presidency/1004791/53 "2024-07-26T22:15:33Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > One thing Biden’s just done is appoint Val Demings to the Board of the Post Office, so hopefully any DeJoy mischief can be reigned in for Kamala. I just came in to post about this. I see you got to it many hours ago. Well done! I am so glad he’s making sure to handle this. That miserable creep DeJoy _needs to go_. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-biden-finish-out-his-presidency/1004791/54 "2024-07-26T22:16:25Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > For whatever it’s worth, Joe Biden has repeatedly stated he will not pardon Hunter. I consider that like a campaign promise - said to preserve some votes/seem impartial/seem strong on crime. Since none of that matters now, neither does the statement. But, I do agree with you that he should not be pardoned and instead face the music. ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-biden-finish-out-his-presidency/1004791/55 "2024-07-26T22:18:56Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > Well, since we are clearly fantasizing here, cancel the Artemis crewed lunar program and associated SLS/Lunar Gateway/CLPS and dedicate NASA funds to uncrewed exploration of the outer planets and a full featured Mars Sample Return mission, space infrastructure and technology development, Earth climate and space weather surveillance, and space observatories. Backfill JPL, update and improve the Armstrong Test Facility, and downgrade Johnson Space Center back to an adjunct of Goddard Space Flight Center. Or build affordable housing and homeless shelters. Here on Earth. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-biden-finish-out-his-presidency/1004791/56 "2024-07-26T22:24:48Z")
> [@Jaycat.again](#): > > Or build affordable housing and homeless shelters. If we can claw back some of the massive tax breaks given to billionaires over the past several decades, there will be more than enough money to do all these things. ---
**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:** [July 26, 2024, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-biden-finish-out-his-presidency/1004791/57 "2024-07-26T22:40:28Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > I just came in to post about this. I see you got to it many hours ago. Well done! _Bows_ Thank you. I think he appointed someone else at the same time, so hopefully the mess can be tided up. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-biden-finish-out-his-presidency/1004791/58 "2024-07-26T22:46:20Z")
If it could have been done sooner, I’m confident Biden would have gotten it done sooner. But I am very happy to see him handle this one, hopefully ahead of the November election. I despise DeJoy. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-biden-finish-out-his-presidency/1004791/59 "2024-07-26T23:37:05Z")
> [@Jaycat.again](#): > > Or build affordable housing and homeless shelters. Here on Earth. Sure, you could bleed the space program dry in order to fund homeless shelters. Or you could do a little bit of research and discover that the ~US25B NASA FY2025 budget request is less than 3% of the FY2024 budget Congress allocated for the Department of Defense, or that we could actually fund NASA by just collecting the marginal tax rate on the real income earned by multimillionaires and billionaires. Seriously, the space program has many benefits even for people not at all interested in planetology, astronomy, or space exploration, not the least of which is (along with NOAA) monitoring, modeling, and informing the public about climate effects, which have the greatest impact upon the poor and indigent, Using the NASA budget to fund “affordable housing and homeless shelters” is robbing Peter to pay Paul, especially if you end up locating that housing in places that are going to be repeatedly impacted by storm surges, floods, or wildfires. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-biden-finish-out-his-presidency/1004791/60 "2024-07-26T23:51:14Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > If we can claw back some of the massive tax breaks given to billionaires over the past several decades, there will be more than enough money to do all these things. This is really the answer to many of the US budgetary and social issues. These people/coporations need to pay their fair share. Seriously, health cate, childhood hunger/poverty many of these problems could be solved or at least ameliorated. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-biden-finish-out-his-presidency/1004791.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-biden-finish-out-his-presidency/1004791.md?page=4)