Joe Biden and Mitch McConnell struck up a friendship during their nearly quarter-century in the Senate together. Now in their 80s, the Democratic president and the Senate GOP leader appear to be giving political cover to each other as they fend off questions about their advanced age and health issues.

Notably, McConnell, R-Ky., 81, hasn’t joined Donald Trump, 77, and other Republicans who have attacked Biden’s age, health and mental acuity as he seeks re-election.

And after McConnell’s second freeze-up last week, Biden was one of the first to call McConnell, telling reporters that his “friend” sounded like “his old self” and that such episodes are a “part of his recovery” from a fall and a concussion this year.

  • SCB@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    If only there was some sort of system by which voters could choose who their candidates are. Like before the general election parties could have internal elections to decide the candidates.

    They could call it like a “First election” or even a “Primary election.”

    • BaroqueInMind@kbin.social
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      1 year ago

      At this point it is economically unfeasible for anyone under 40, unless you are an affluent trust fund baby, to pay all the money required to run for a presidential campaign.

      This is why it’s always skewed towards old white men (hint: they can afford losing millions).

      • SCB@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Literally no one ever has paid all of the money required to run a Presidential Campaign.

        • BaroqueInMind@kbin.social
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          1 year ago

          Sounds like you can easily run for president then, eh? Hypothetically speaking, if you were forced by gunpoint to run, what’s stopping you in particular?

          • SCB@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            My criminal history wouldn’t play well with voters. Small time drug possession, misdemeanor. It’s since been expunged (hence me having my current job), but that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t come up.

            Fun fact: I was actually offered the opportunity to run for state gov by my states party, and turned it down due to aforementioned criminal history.

            • BaroqueInMind@kbin.social
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              1 year ago

              I don’t know what fucking fantasy reality you live in where no criminals run for office; we the attorney General of Texas, George Santos indictment, Americas mayor Rudy Juliani indictment, fucking Trump. We can keep going on literally forever listing criminal pieces of shit who have been in government positions.

              Your argument here is failing.

              • SCB@lemmy.world
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                1 year ago

                You’re describing situations that the public very much is aware of.

                I’m not concerned with getting in trouble. I was concerned with winning the election and I know who my potential constituents would have been and their feelings on marijuana possession.

                It’s on the ballot to be recreational in my state so maybe I’ll revisit after that passes, as the optics would improve significantly.

                I’m not interested in running an already-uphill campaign with an albatross around my neck. Consider that, as a potential candidate, I have superior knowledge of my electorate than some random dude who doesn’t even know where I live.

    • Treczoks@kbin.social
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      1 year ago

      Judging from the Republicans presidential candidates debate, the selection is limited to idiots, stupid idiots, and dangerous idiots.

      • SCB@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        That’s who their voters want. You’re mad at republican voters. I don’t know why people don’t realize that.