December 18, 2024

"A traditionalist to his bones, Mr. Biden has opted for the grace and reticence he believes are befitting the departing president of a defeated party..."

"... even as the incoming president threatens to imprison opponents and tries to install conspiracy-minded acolytes in positions of power.... At this stage of Mr. Biden’s presidency... his public messaging is targeted and restrained. Once Washington’s most loquacious chatterbox, Mr. Biden these days barely engages with the reporters who follow him everywhere. He has held no news conferences and conducted no interviews with the traditional news media since the election, though he has done some podcasts. His only reply to shouted questions from journalists during his entire Africa trip added up to 14 words. In South America, it was just a single word. As a result, Mr. Biden has not once publicly addressed his much-criticized decision to pardon his son since the written statement he released, nor has he discussed his consideration of blanket pardons for adversaries of Mr. Trump to protect them from his promised campaign of 'retribution' once he takes office...."

From "A Weary Biden Heads for the Exit/Still stinging from the election, President Biden is pushing for his final priorities but has absented himself from the national conversation about Donald Trump after warning repeatedly that he was a threat to American democracy" (NYT).

88 comments:

Ambrose said...

Grace and reticence. LOL!

tim maguire said...

"A traditionalist to his bones"

They really will say anything, won't they?

David53 said...

Cry harder msm.

tim maguire said...

He's leaving with grace and reticence and a refusal to explain controversial pardons.

Does anybody at the NYT actually read the NYT before going to press?

Dave Begley said...

Oh, spare me. Enough of the puff pieces about this crook and fuck up.

Acolytes like Hegseth, Patel, Gabbard, Rubio and Ratcliffe who are going to clean out the Deep State? Those acolytes?

rhhardin said...

Maj. de-Coverley is a minor character in Joseph Heller's satirical novel Catch-22. He serves as a major in the 256th squadron of the Army Air Forces during World War II, stationed on the small island of Pianosa.

Although he plays horseshoe and rents apartments for the officers, he rarely engages with his men directly.

Aggie said...

Dear Leader.

RideSpaceMountain said...

"A traditionalist to his bones"

There's really nothing more traditional than diddling the babysitter and marrying her, is there. Screw Norman Rockwell, you should think "Biden" when you hear "American traditionalist".

Lucien said...

Biden sometimes seems bitter at those Democrats who shoved him out of the 2024 race; but then he does spiteful things designed to sabotage Trumps, like tryin to sell off border wall components for $5 per section. Almost as if it's his staff, and not him, making the real decision.

chuck said...

I like cute stories about imaginary beings.

Butkus51 said...

A traditional politician. Lies to get what he wants.

Biden was laughed off the national stage in 1988.

A BS'er and nothing more.

Paul Zrimsek said...

They called it "stonewalling" back when it was Nixon doing it.

Lawnerd said...

Was this reported under news or opinion? Smells to me like opinion, bordering on propaganda.

planetgeo said...

"... his public messaging is targeted and restrained"

Personally, I thought his targeted message, "Don't jump", was his most useful one. Wise, but not very restrained.

tcrosse said...

A fictional president rides off into the sunset.

Clyde said...

Charlie McCarthy also opted for grace and reticence when he was put back in the box.

Scott Gustafson said...

Ending his administration with "grace and reticence" by selling off wall material and imposing lots of new regulations. Not to mention all the pardons.

RCOCEAN II said...

More truthful headline: "Biden dodges questions about Pardon of Son, continues policy of stonewallng the Press and refusing do tough interviews".

And of course, we get the NYT's lies about Trump: Biden is one who put his opponents in jail, and spread conspiracy theories.

AlbertAnonymous said...

NYT sucking his cock better than Kamala ever did

RCOCEAN II said...

Yeah Biden is a "traditionalist" as in: trying to jail an ex-POTUS, refusing to grant Trump WH aides executive privilage, sending the FBI to raid Trump's house with guns drawn, supporting Schumer's attempt to get rid of the filibuster, and calling half the country "nazis" and "fascists". Y'know just like Eisenhower, Jefferson, and Lincoln. Tradition!

Randomizer said...

"This is the twilight of Mr. Biden’s presidency"

This is the twilight of Mr. Biden's life. He is an old man with reduced mental and physical health. He is probably relieved that he doesn't have to answer for anything anymore.

It's hard to imagine that Biden cares about his legacy. Some people support him, some people don't, it's been like that his entire life. He isn't "opting for grace and reticence". He'd give the house keys to Trump right now if that wouldn't be a big hassle.

The NYT, rather than try to maintain the fiction with statements like, "At the same time, those accompanying him said, he was focused on the issues at hand and demonstrated command of the details", the NYT should be asking who compiled the list of people being pardoned and who is making the big decisions.

Breezy said...

He’s a very petty man. Jan 20 can’t come soon enough.

NorthOfTheOneOhOne said...

Biden doesn't have cottage cheese for brains, he's just the strong, silent type! /major eye roll

Mr. T. said...

False.


Corrupt Biden did address his corrupt pardon of his corrupt son.


Remember: the New York Times is the garbage, leftist rag that published piece-of-shit writer, Duff Wilson's, bogus claim that Nifong had excellent evidence to take the falsely accused lacrosse players to trial-handwritten notes by a corrupt police Sargent that were fabricated (which was common knowledge at this point-the NYT published awayways).

n.n said...

The Onion acquires The NYT acquires The Onion.

Greg The Class Traitor said...

even as the incoming president threatens to imprison opponents

The way the Dems tried with him, and succeeded withe Steve Bannon

and tries to install conspiracy-minded acolytes in positions of power
See "Trump Russia collusion hoax", the most nutcase conspiracy to hit America in the last 10 years.

The Left projects. Always

Jeff Vader said...

What a steaming pile of shite

tommyesq said...

Biden exiting the Presidency in exactly the same way he campaigned for the position in 2019 - hiding in his basement.

Charlie said...

He can barely walk or talk.........say goodnight Joe.

D.D. Driver said...

The NYT is going full Bagdad Bob.

Dude1394 said...

Grace and reticence my ass. I've never seen an administration go out that so blatantly and actively tries to sabotage the incoming. It borders on an enemy of the state.

n.n said...

The NYT has been sniffing the traditionalist Biden sniffing feminine gender girls under Democratic principles of Loving and inclusion in ethnic Springs with benefits and blanket... pardons. Does The NYT have an ulterior motive?

Drago said...

Thread winner.

RideSpaceMountain said...

With a sniff and a whimper, not a bang, as befits the Dover Creeper.

Pointguard said...

As it is sometimes said in sports commentary- “ Biden is in the twilight of a mediocre career”.

baghdadbob said...

Now you've gone too far, D.D. Driver.

FredSays said...

Meanwhile, his aides do everything they can to f-up Trump’s upcoming administration.

Quayle said...

Befitting. Ha ha ha ha ha. What a funny word to use about this Administration.

Befitting.

BEFITTING!

LOL

Paul said...

Biden is in Goo Goo land. It is his staff and Jill that are selling pardons.. Just so busy doing that they don't have time for Trump.

Quayle said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Former Illinois resident said...

Wow, talk about bold-face NYT journalistic spin propaganda, more outright mistruths and lies to its gullible readership. Biden has never displayed grace nor reticence, more accurate adjectives would be brash and combative, along with dishonest, corrupt, and venal.

Now let's talk about "10 for the Big Guy", showers with his daughter, and making his troubled son his international-traveler bagman.

gspencer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Quayle said...

Ladies and Gentlemen...
The President of the United States!


"Fella Americans... Doot, Doot, Doot..."

He's been sick!--Doot! Doot!
And I think his wife is gonna bring him
Some chicken soup

Plastic people!
Oh, baby, now you're such a drag

I know it's hard to defend an unpopular policy
Every once in a while--

Plastic people!
Oh, baby, now you're such a drag

Steven Wilson said...

This is where you want to say you can't make this up, but they just did!

Grace and reticence are not two words that should ever have been associated with Biden and they certainly shouldn't be anywhere near the tragic illness that is dementia. The amount of contempt the Times deserves is not currently available.

I wonder what kind of premium Elon Musk would have to pay to buy the Times and fire about 90% of them and then just combine the Times with Sun, a paper that deserves the position the Times occupies.



Kathryn51 said...

That's my question as well. I mean, who wrote this: As a result, Mr. Biden has not once publicly addressed his much-criticized decision to pardon his son since the written statement he released, nor has he discussed his consideration of blanket pardons. . .

He is unable to publicly address anyone on any topic. Plus, there's no way he signed off on those hundred (thousands?) of recent pardons - a long list was handed to him and he signed once. Or, the magic signature pen signed.

JAORE said...

"Mr. Biden these days barely engages with" ...reality?

Doug said...

And he wears an eye patch

John henry said...

Legend has it that when Chuck berry and Jerry lee Lewis appeared in a concert there was some dispute about who went first.

Killer lost and finished his set with great balls of fire. Towards the end he poured gasoline on the piano and lit it.

As he passed Chuck coming to perform he said "top that, Chuck" (some variations in language depending on who's tellingc

Brandon seems like he is trying to burn the place dow, giving president trump a difficult act to follow

John Henry

wendybar said...

Did they sleep through all of Joe Biden and Barack Obama's made up lawfare against Trump, his supporters and anybody who ever worked in the Trump administration??

wendybar said...

They got really good at it during Clinton, and Obama's presidencies..

hombre said...

The comments are interesting. There is no sense that elite Democrats are out of touch with a majority of voting America because their policies are destructive. Their ilk will not be participating in making America great again. They will be pouting and plotting how to resume the destruction.

Jupiter said...

You aren't going to tell us which lying liar told those lies? I guess it doesn't really matter, does it.

William said...

Nothing but class. Compare the way Trump hawks his cologne versus the dignified, restrained way Biden has auctioned off his pardons. The auction is held at Sotheby's to invited guests only, and the assorted wealthy felons dress for the occasion. After the Met Gala, the Sotheby Pardon Auction is one of the big events of the season. After the event, Dr. Jill personally shakes hands with the winning bidders.

Mike (MJB Wolf) said...

...after completing the Third Term for fictional character Obama.

Saint Croix said...

But it is hard to imagine that he seriously thought he could do the world's most stressful job for another four years.

He still thinks it!

wants to sprint to the finish line

Sprint!

He is currently angry at Democratic members of Congress who have publicly denounced his decision to pardon Hunter Biden

Went to the slavery museum, scared to walk up the steps. "Bring the exhibits to me!"

the president told an ally that he was bored and asked if there were any events for him to attend

"a comment that only seemed partly facetious"

Saint Croix said...

Most powerful man in the world?

or cranky guy at the old folk's home?

gspencer said...

Reads/plays well with Don't Think Twice,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgbH5cSv9ew

which suits Old Joe since he never even thinks once.

MadisonMan said...

Why would Biden be stinging from the election? It's Harris who lost! You know, Kamala Harris? The Vice-President who was running to become President. Maybe Biden is still stinging from being pushed off the ticket. How quickly the Times papers over who was running!

Big Mike said...

"... even as the incoming president threatens to imprison opponents…”

Isn’t that what Biden and his administration tried to do to Trump? They failed because Democrats are utterly incompetent, in contrast to the people Trump has picked.

Josephbleau said...

That is the Fighting 256th which is 2 to the Fighting 8th power.

Josephbleau said...

Every accusation is a confession. The only true statement in social science.

Yancey Ward said...

I guess we will continue to pretend Biden is making decisions until he is drooling in Delaware in late January.

Creola Soul said...

He doesn’t even know where he is.

narciso said...

What do you mean we

J Severs said...

The article confuses cause and effect. First the pardon, then the silence.

Deep State Reformer said...

"Grace and reticence"? LMFAO! More like fear & loathing. I haven't seen such bald-faced lying since they hung Baghdad Bob.

wsw said...

"Grace." Go back to 2012 when he interrupted Ryan for 35 straight minutes. This ass and "grace" have not any time ever been in the same area code

pacwest said...

I enjoy Althouse's post on the NYT articles. They are almost as humorous as the Babylon Bee.

damikesc said...

No, they succeeded. Bannon went to jail for one. I just love the whining now that the rules they were warned they'd be best not changing are going to be used against them possibly.

Lazarus said...

Now that Biden's not running, he has no reason to interact with the media. Withdrawing from the race took all of the energy and spirit out of Joe. The staff doesn't want him to have the opportunities to speak freely and he's not in the mood to fight them.

loudogblog said...

It's really pathetic that the NYT is playing up Biden's lack of communicating with the press and the American as something noble, when we all know that it's because of his extreme cognative decline.

If Trump cut the media off and stopped having press conferences, they'd be criticizing him nonstop for that.

Lem Vibe Bandit said...

More like a tradition starter. First president to lawfare his political rival.

Rabel said...

"Flying across the world would have tired even a president younger than 82."

Bet his arms were tired.

Is traveling on AF1 particularly exhausting? Seems like it would be restful.

Josephbleau said...

Beiden started out with high aspirations. He wanted money and lickspittle obeisance. At the end, he is just happy to have the money.

Iman said...

“Heavens to Murgatroyd!… Exit! Stage Left!”

—— Snaggledeladorkpuss

Craig Mc said...

Translation: We can't even turn him out in public for five minutes.

Howard said...

Restrained describes his medical condition symptoms

Lawnerd said...

Biden was supposed to bring us all together after four years of orange man bad. Then that mother fucking cocksucker gave that fascist speech in Philadelphia where he called half of America domestic terrorists. Fuck that moron and the horse he rode in on.

Rocco said...

From the article...
"A traditionalist to his bones..."

This is true - as a Kinsley gaffe. Getting rich from government service long predates America.

Sebastian said...

"A traditionalist to his bones..." Hard to imagine in light of the Althouse Axiom, but might progs believe their own BS? Anyway, Joe is proving his traditionalism with a record number of pardons to various scumbags.

Dude1394 said...

I expect Biden has about 5 years left.

Jim at said...

even as the incoming president threatens to imprison opponents ...

Now just where would Trump get an idea like that?

Rocco said...

Lawnerd said…
Biden was supposed to bring us all together after four years of orange man bad.

Not us all. The “us” in there are the same people as the “our” in “Our Democracy” and excludes the Deplorables and Garbage people.

Michael said...

If only there were a Pulitzer Prize for nonsense...But wait, the Times already has several of those.

mikee said...

Then you're going to love the 2028 story about Kamala Harris and why she should be president.

MacMacConnell said...

How can Joe be weary, he spent half of the last four years on vacation at the beach. GRACE? Joe has grace? WTF!

Tina Trent said...

I can’t believe they didn’t need barf bags to write that article. The dignified reticence of avoiding NYT reporters? Who then call that dignity? Reading it was like being in a very boring haunted house.

Tina Trent said...

Speak for yourself. This is called blowing off steam. I organize, know my officials personally, call and write them, lobby, and work against them if they don’t listen.

What do you do?