# Who's to blame if Biden loses? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [May 7, 2024, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-to-blame-if-biden-loses/1001233 "2024-05-07T18:41:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 31
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-to-blame-if-biden-loses/1001233/718 "2024-05-22T12:11:13Z")
You seem to be suggesting that the Biden campaign is not acting on polling data. Is there some reason you think this describes reality? Or does it just come with the pre-packaged “Biden is out of touch” narrative? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-to-blame-if-biden-loses/1001233/720 "2024-05-22T12:25:28Z")
I do not understand what you are saying. Are you arguing (1) that this should not be the campaign’s attitude, and it isn’t, which is good, or (2) that this should not be the campaign’s attitude, but (alas!) it is? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-to-blame-if-biden-loses/1001233/721 "2024-05-22T12:25:48Z")
> [@SyncoSmalls](#): > > > [@Dr.Drake](#): > > > > You seem to be suggesting that the Biden campaign is not acting on polling data. > > This inference doesn’t follow from what I’ve said. Please see the context of others saying the polls are not predictive and it’s all just guessing at this point. I am arguing that this should not be the campaign’s attitude. > > . They have access to different polls than we do. Probably far, far better polls. Further, they have a number of professionals who are likely much, much better at campaign strategy than Dopers or TV pundits. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-to-blame-if-biden-loses/1001233/723 "2024-05-22T13:06:00Z")
> [@SyncoSmalls](#): > > Biden has said at least a couple times that the polls are wrong. Cite for this? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-to-blame-if-biden-loses/1001233/725 "2024-05-22T13:48:42Z")
Okay, fair enough. Right now, part of the Biden campaign strategy appears to be to publicly doubt the poll results. This may not say anything about what they actually believe about the polls or otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![survinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@survinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/survinga)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-to-blame-if-biden-loses/1001233/726 "2024-05-22T14:19:13Z")
Again, the fact that Biden accepted Trump’s challenge to debates (and wanted one in June) shows he’s taking the polls much more seriously than what is being said on camera. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-to-blame-if-biden-loses/1001233/727 "2024-05-22T16:14:24Z")
A post was merged into an existing topic: [SyncoSmalls trocking thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syncosmalls-trocking-thread/1001913/108) ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-to-blame-if-biden-loses/1001233/728 "2024-05-22T14:55:28Z")
> [@survinga](#): > > Again, the fact that Biden accepted Trump’s challenge to debates (and wanted one in June) shows he’s taking the polls much more seriously than what is being said on camera. Why? Debating Trump will benefit Biden’s strategy to appear to be the coherent and intelligent grownup in the room next to Deteriorating Donald. If standing next to Trump makes you look better by comparison, why not do it regardless of the polls? ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-to-blame-if-biden-loses/1001233/729 "2024-05-22T15:53:06Z")
Who’s to blame? Biden. He said he’d be a one-term president, to get us out of the hole we were in with Trump, and then pass it on to someone more dynamic. But he decided to run again. I blame him and I blame the Democratic party for letting this happen. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-to-blame-if-biden-loses/1001233/730 "2024-05-22T15:56:55Z")
He decided to run again entirely because Trump decided to run again. It was a reasonable assumption that Trump would be done after his time in office, but here we are. I blame Trump supporters for continuing to support him in the face of a vast number of reasons why they shouldn’t. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-to-blame-if-biden-loses/1001233/731 "2024-05-22T15:59:13Z")
> [@ratatoskK](#): > > He said he’d be a one-term president Cite? EDIT: I also wonder what the “Democratic party” (what is that, by the way? the DNC? Democrats in Congress? The millions of registered Democratic voters? if it’s the latter, we collectively decided to choose Biden again in the primary) could have done that wouldn’t have utterly destroyed Democratic chances ala 1980 and Jimmy Carter/Ted Kennedy. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-to-blame-if-biden-loses/1001233/732 "2024-05-22T16:00:44Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > So, they need to get over themselves; or they are effectively voting for Trump. I thought this was settled a while back. If they vote third party or don’t vote then how is that a +1 vote for Trump and not Biden? ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-to-blame-if-biden-loses/1001233/733 "2024-05-22T16:02:01Z")
Easily found by googling. [https://www.politico.com/news/2019/12/11/biden-single-term-082129](https://www.politico.com/news/2019/12/11/biden-single-term-082129) > **[So Much for Biden the Bridge President](https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2023/09/biden-reelection-transition-president/675395/)** > > He ran as a short-term fix but has become a long-term proposition. [https://www.usnews.com/news/elections/articles/2019-12-11/joe-biden-suggests-he-would-only-serve-one-term-if-elected-president](https://www.usnews.com/news/elections/articles/2019-12-11/joe-biden-suggests-he-would-only-serve-one-term-if-elected-president) ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-to-blame-if-biden-loses/1001233/734 "2024-05-22T16:03:22Z")
> [@ratatoskK](#): > > Easily found by googling. > [https://www.politico.com/news/2019/12/11/biden-single-term-082129](https://www.politico.com/news/2019/12/11/biden-single-term-082129) > [Joe Biden’s Bridge to Himself - The Atlantic](https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2023/09/biden-reelection-transition-president/675395/https://www.usnews.com/news/elections/articles/2019-12-11/joe-biden-suggests-he-would-only-serve-one-term-if-elected-president) > [https://www.usnews.com/news/elections/articles/2019-12-11/joe-biden-suggests-he-would-only-serve-one-term-if-elected-president](https://www.usnews.com/news/elections/articles/2019-12-11/joe-biden-suggests-he-would-only-serve-one-term-if-elected-president) What’s easily found? I couldn’t find anything in that article in which Biden said he’d only run for one term. ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-to-blame-if-biden-loses/1001233/735 "2024-05-22T16:04:31Z")
Search for: when did biden say he’d be a one-term president and you’ll find a ton of hits. [https://www.google.com/search?q=when+did+biden+say+he’d+be+a+one-term+president&rlz=1CAZKSY\_enUS1024&oq=&gs\_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCQgBECMYJxjqAjIJCAAQIxgnGOoCMgkIARAjGCcY6gIyCQgCECMYJxjqAjIJCAMQIxgnGOoCMgkIBBAjGCcY6gIyCQgFECMYJxjqAjIJCAYQIxgnGOoCMgkIBxAjGCcY6gLSAQkyNTgwajBqMTWoAgiwAgE&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8](https://www.google.com/search?q=when+did+biden+say+he%27d+be+a+one-term+president&rlz=1CAZKSY_enUS1024&oq=&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCQgBECMYJxjqAjIJCAAQIxgnGOoCMgkIARAjGCcY6gIyCQgCECMYJxjqAjIJCAMQIxgnGOoCMgkIBBAjGCcY6gIyCQgFECMYJxjqAjIJCAYQIxgnGOoCMgkIBxAjGCcY6gLSAQkyNTgwajBqMTWoAgiwAgE&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8) ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-to-blame-if-biden-loses/1001233/736 "2024-05-22T16:06:32Z")
Search for: Biden says he’s a helicopter and you’ll find a ton of hits. [https://www.google.com/search?q=Biden+says+he’s+a+helicopter&sca\_esv=0f432c479ba1e607&rlz=1CAZKSY\_enUS1024&sxsrf=ADLYWIKp9TqylIAZiyNz70nxi-645h8ZaA%3A1716393931507&ei=yxdOZpu4Hqeg5NoPm7q9sAw&ved=0ahUKEwjbydPU0aGGAxUnEFkFHRtdD8YQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=Biden+says+he’s+a+helicopter&gs\_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiHEJpZGVuIHNheXMgaGUncyBhIGhlbGljb3B0ZXIyBRAhGKABMgUQIRigATIFECEYoAEyBRAhGKABMgUQIRigAUiFFlD6AljRFXABeAGQAQCYAYEBoAH-DaoBBDE3LjS4AQPIAQD4AQGYAgugAo4IwgIKEAAYsAMY1gQYR8ICERAAGIAEGJECGLEDGIMBGIoFwgILEAAYgAQYsQMYgwHCAgUQABiABMICCBAAGIAEGLEDwgIHECEYoAEYCsICBBAhGAqYAwCIBgGQBgeSBwM2LjWgB8Qp&sclient=gws-wiz-serp](https://www.google.com/search?q=Biden+says+he%27s+a+helicopter&sca_esv=0f432c479ba1e607&rlz=1CAZKSY_enUS1024&sxsrf=ADLYWIKp9TqylIAZiyNz70nxi-645h8ZaA%3A1716393931507&ei=yxdOZpu4Hqeg5NoPm7q9sAw&ved=0ahUKEwjbydPU0aGGAxUnEFkFHRtdD8YQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=Biden+says+he%27s+a+helicopter&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiHEJpZGVuIHNheXMgaGUncyBhIGhlbGljb3B0ZXIyBRAhGKABMgUQIRigATIFECEYoAEyBRAhGKABMgUQIRigAUiFFlD6AljRFXABeAGQAQCYAYEBoAH-DaoBBDE3LjS4AQPIAQD4AQGYAgugAo4IwgIKEAAYsAMY1gQYR8ICERAAGIAEGJECGLEDGIMBGIoFwgILEAAYgAQYsQMYgwHCAgUQABiABMICCBAAGIAEGLEDwgIHECEYoAEYCsICBBAhGAqYAwCIBgGQBgeSBwM2LjWgB8Qp&sclient=gws-wiz-serp) Do you believe Biden said he’s a helicopter? There appears to be similar evidence for this as for him saying he’d only run for a single term. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-to-blame-if-biden-loses/1001233/737 "2024-05-22T16:09:18Z")
Let’s look at some of those hits: First answer on Quora: > [@](#): > > While running for president, Joe Biden never specifically stated or publicly announced that he would only serve one term. Nor has he done so at any point in his presidency. And some articles and videos: > **[Joe Biden denies he is mulling a one-term pledge if elected president](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/joe-biden-denies-mulling-term-pledge-elected-president/story?id=67662497)** > > Former Vice President Joe Biden denied a reported discussion within his campaign that he would only seek one term in office if elected president. > **[Joe Biden Addresses If He'll Be a One Term President | Joe Biden tells The...](https://www.facebook.com/TheView/videos/joe-biden-addresses-if-hell-be-a-one-term-president/590969924737462/)** > > Joe Biden tells The View he won't commit to serving just one term. > "It's a legitimate question to ask about my age...Hopefully, I can demonstrate not... > **[Biden denies speculation of a one-term pledge](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/biden-campaign-refutes-speculation-one-term-pledge-n1099766)** > > A campaign promise to serve just one term if elected is "not something VP Biden is thinking about," his campaign said Wednesday. This is why Google dumps make for terrible cites. ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-to-blame-if-biden-loses/1001233/738 "2024-05-22T16:12:20Z")
Politico, US News & World Report, The Atlantic, The Hill, etc. are not crackpot sites. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-to-blame-if-biden-loses/1001233/739 "2024-05-22T16:14:08Z")
I didn’t say they were. I’m pointing out that your link goes to a lot of results demonstrating Biden explicitly did **not** promise to be a one-term president. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-to-blame-if-biden-loses/1001233/740 "2024-05-22T16:22:28Z")
I’d think it’s very clear that it doesn’t matter if Biden did not actually say it. The perception of voters that he did say it is what we really should be talking about. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-to-blame-if-biden-loses/1001233.md?page=30) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-to-blame-if-biden-loses/1001233.md?page=32)