# Is it possible that Joe Biden is really that stupid? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 1, 2007, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-that-joe-biden-is-really-that-stupid/428410 "2007-12-01T02:21:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Plan\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Plan\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plan_B)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2007, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-that-joe-biden-is-really-that-stupid/428410/1 "2007-12-01T02:21:35Z")
From James Taranto in today’s [Best of the Web](http://opinionjournal.com/best/?id=110010931): > [@](#): > > Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has a friend in Joe Biden, the Delaware senator who fancies himself a candidate for president made clear at a campaign appearance in Portsmouth, N.H., reports the Portsmouth Herald: > > Biden stated unequivocally that he will move to impeach President Bush if he bombs Iran without first gaining congressional approval. > > Biden spoke in front of a crowd of approximately 100 at a candidate forum held Thursday at Seacoast Media Group. The forum focused on the Iraq war and foreign policy. When an audience member expressed fear of a war with Iran, Biden said he does not typically engage in threats, but had no qualms about issuing a direct warning to the Oval Office. > > “The president has no authority to unilaterally attack Iran, and if he does, as Foreign Relations Committee chairman, I will move to impeach,” said Biden, whose words were followed by a raucous applause from the local audience. > > Biden said he is in the process of meeting with constitutional law experts to prepare a legal memorandum saying as much and intends to send it to the president. > > Biden–who as chairman of the Judiciary Committee presided over the travesties that were the Robert Bork and Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings–apparently is either ignorant or contemptuous of the Constitution. Presumably one of those legal experts will inform him that as a senator, he has no authority to “move to impeach” anyone. That power rests solely with the House. So, is this possible? Does Biden really not know that impeachment is initiated in the House? I’d be inclined to give Biden the benefit of the doubt, except for his exact wording. He said he would do this “as Foreign Relations Committee chairman,” which sounds pretty specific to me. Or is there something tthat Taranto and I are missing? ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2007, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-that-joe-biden-is-really-that-stupid/428410/2 "2007-12-01T02:32:46Z")
I don’t think Taranto is missing anything – he’s just reporting what happened, albeit with his own slant. Plan B, however, may want to consider the possibility that Biden is engaging in political hyperbole. (It also could be argued that Biden can move to impeach by placing a phone call to one of his friends in the House, in a narrow sense.) ---
**Author:** ![Malodorous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e47774/32.png) [@Malodorous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malodorous)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2007, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-that-joe-biden-is-really-that-stupid/428410/3 "2007-12-01T02:36:41Z")
Joe Biden has actually been in the senate during an impeachment, I’m sure he knows how they work. I assume he means move in the colloquial sense, not in the sense of actually introducing a motion. He’s somewhat famous for misspeaking though. Which is why its probably best that he won’t be the Dem nominee. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2007, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-that-joe-biden-is-really-that-stupid/428410/4 "2007-12-01T02:36:47Z")
Assuming that the quote is correct and in context, then -yes - Biden has his head up his ass. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2007, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-that-joe-biden-is-really-that-stupid/428410/5 "2007-12-01T03:30:18Z")
Joe knows impeachment procedure. He may not be able to initiate the procedure, but he certainly has enough House members on speed dial that he could perhaps influence or speed up the process. The question is- is Bush stupid enough to invade Iran? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2007, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-that-joe-biden-is-really-that-stupid/428410/6 "2007-12-01T03:36:23Z")
[QUOTE=BobLibDem] Joe knows impeachment procedure. He may not be able to initiate the procedure, but he certainly has enough House members on speed dial that he could perhaps influence or speed up the process. The question is- is Bush stupid enough to invade Iran? [/QUOTE] Only in America is launching airstrikes considered an act short of war. He’s certainly stupid enough to do that. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2007, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-that-joe-biden-is-really-that-stupid/428410/7 "2007-12-01T03:46:05Z")
[QUOTE=BobLibDem] The question is- is Bush stupid enough to invade Iran? [/QUOTE] I would hope that at this point the American people, and, more precisely, the subsection of the American people who make up Congress, would nip that one in the bud. I, personally, cannot believe that an administration with such vast support and trust for the correct response to a terrorist attack, i.e. taking out the Taliban, has squandered that support and trust such as this one has. I simply cannot believe that anyone will seriously accept the Bush administration’s reasons for any other war. Unless Iran nukes Washington, there’s no reason for a fucking invasion. There may not be one if Iran nukes Washington; there may be a general sigh of relief. As long as they don’t knock off the pandas. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Nader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Darth\_Nader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Nader)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2007, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-that-joe-biden-is-really-that-stupid/428410/8 "2007-12-01T03:52:01Z")
**Frank** , what makes you think that the current administration gives a shit about how much trust and support it has? Congress has dropped the ball too many times to make me feel safe. ---
**Author:** ![Plan\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Plan\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plan_B)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2007, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-that-joe-biden-is-really-that-stupid/428410/9 "2007-12-01T03:52:55Z")
[QUOTE=BobLibDem] The question is- is Bush stupid enough to invade Iran? [/QUOTE] No that’s not the question. The question has to do with Biden, no one else. Is this part of the Dems playbook? Any time someone looks bad, just change the topic to someone else. If you want to discuss some potential military actions or the intelligence of someone else, start your own thread. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2007, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-that-joe-biden-is-really-that-stupid/428410/10 "2007-12-01T03:56:24Z")
[QUOTE=Plan B] Is this part of the Dems playbook? Any time someone looks bad, just change the topic to someone else. [/QUOTE] I hope, I really hope, the irony burns the snow off my car by morning. Are you facing north? ---
**Author:** ![Plan\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Plan\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plan_B)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2007, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-that-joe-biden-is-really-that-stupid/428410/11 "2007-12-01T04:05:56Z")
[QUOTE=Frank] I hope, I really hope, the irony burns the snow off my car by morning. Are you facing north? [/QUOTE] What are you talking about? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2007, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-that-joe-biden-is-really-that-stupid/428410/12 "2007-12-01T04:07:22Z")
[QUOTE=Plan B] Is this part of the Dems playbook? Any time someone looks bad, just change the topic to someone else. [/QUOTE] No, apparently it’s the Republican Plan B. Plan A of course is lie and deny… Plan C seems to be try to get laid in a public mens room while the wife and kids are sitting home alone. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2007, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-that-joe-biden-is-really-that-stupid/428410/13 "2007-12-01T04:07:49Z")
[QUOTE=PlanB] What are you talking about? 😕 [/QUOTE] Me. I haven’t said anything yet, but he figured I was on my way. Pre-emptive snark. ---
**Author:** ![Plan\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Plan\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plan_B)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2007, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-that-joe-biden-is-really-that-stupid/428410/14 "2007-12-01T04:27:23Z")
[QUOTE=elucidator] Me. I haven’t said anything yet, but he figured I was on my way. Pre-emptive snark. [/QUOTE] OK, inside joke, thanks for letting me know. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2007, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-that-joe-biden-is-really-that-stupid/428410/15 "2007-12-01T05:26:42Z")
Anyone can move for a president or public official to be impeached. You or I can, simply by contacting our representative. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2007, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-that-joe-biden-is-really-that-stupid/428410/16 "2007-12-01T05:28:27Z")
[QUOTE=Malodorous] He’s somewhat famous for misspeaking though. Which is why its probably best that he won’t be the Dem nominee. [/QUOTE] Seems to have served the last two Republican presidents well enough. ---
**Author:** ![Capa84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8edcca/32.png) [@Capa84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capa84)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2007, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-that-joe-biden-is-really-that-stupid/428410/17 "2007-12-01T05:37:38Z")
What’s the over/under for the price of a barrel of oil if we do bomb Iran? $200? $300? ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2007, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-that-joe-biden-is-really-that-stupid/428410/18 "2007-12-01T05:42:35Z")
Yes. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2007, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-that-joe-biden-is-really-that-stupid/428410/19 "2007-12-01T06:22:20Z")
[QUOTE=Plan B] What are you talking about? 😕 [/QUOTE] He’s talking about the fact that he’s snowed in up in the Great White North and needs to drive a fair piece by next Thursday. Irony, he apparently hopes, will, in sufficiently intense doses, generate enough actual thermal energy to thaw his car, and with any amount of luck the highways between where he is and where he wants to get to. “Why does he bring up irony?” (I hear you cry). You demand that the conversation be exclusively about Joe Biden’s putative stupidity. Yet you seem uninterested in the fact that the Senator’s alleged mental deficiencies are being cast into the limelight, not in a vacuum, but in the context of his desire that the Commander-in-Chief not take an action, the stupidity of which would, if taken, make his own hypothetical stupidity look like a qualification for being a shoo-in for next year’s Nobel Prize for Being Really Smart. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2007, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-that-joe-biden-is-really-that-stupid/428410/20 "2007-12-01T06:38:18Z")
Now, Nothing, I know I haven’t been a very good nihilist… What have we left but the threat of impeachment? Any reasonable man would have seen the handwriting, the last election sent a message, but there’s nobody home to recieve. He sincerely believes that he is right and the people are wrong, that history will vindicate him. His thinking is wrong-headed, dangerous, and un-American; we elect no kings, no one is a leader if the people aren’t following. Even as an asshole, this man is an embarassment to the rectal community, worldwide. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-that-joe-biden-is-really-that-stupid/428410.md?page=2)