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.

    • givesomefucks@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      It’s so weird how everyone expects progressives to be just as hypocritical as moderates and conservatives…

      Bernie would 100% be down for it and immediately pivot to outreach or something else if he could hold office.

      He’s been saying he’s not more important than the movement for decades now

      • Asafum@feddit.nl
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        1 year ago

        I’m by no means obsessed with the guy, but one thing really solidified my respect for him: before I ever knew who he was he always would show up in a random documentary if US government was ever spoken about, and he was always on the “right side” of whatever the documentary was about. Then in the run up to 2016 he shows up and I’m like “holy crap it’s that guy!”

      • Son_of_dad@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Bernie is an ineffectual, failure of a career politician who can’t get anything done, not even rally the support of his own party, let alone the whole country. He’s a dinosaur who has been too long in politics and lives a few rungs above us all on the ladder and has no idea how we really live.

        We need someone young and capable to rally behind, forget Bernie.

        • givesomefucks@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          We need someone young and capable to rally behind, forget Bernie.

          Literally what Bernie has been saying for 20 years champ, glad you agree with him

          • Son_of_dad@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            Yet HE ran for president and failed. If Bernie wants young blood, why the fuck was he running?

            • givesomefucks@lemmy.world
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              1 year ago

              What he said…

              Raising awareness for the progressive cause, and motivating the youth to participate in politics. Not just voting in the general, but voting in the primary and running for office.

              You’ve got really strong opinions about him, but don’t seem to know anything about him.

              It really seems like the two of you agree on a lot. You’re just really uninformed…

            • notacat@mander.xyz
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              1 year ago

              It is a failure of our system that a populist candidate without his name recognition would have no chance against the incredibly well-funded corporate shill neoliberals/conservatives we usually have to choose between.

        • Elderos@lemmings.world
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          1 year ago

          About a hundred of his amendments made it in various bill proposal. A bunch of which became laws. You can’t really blame him for the broken party system in which he’s not even taking part. One man can’t single handly fix congress

            • gregorum@lemm.ee
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              1 year ago

              Gee, I had no idea that it was his responsibility alone to run this government.

              • Son_of_dad@lemmy.world
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                1 year ago

                The u.s has a sickness. You guys are such sycophants for your politicians. It’s like watching a sports team fandom, but for politics.

                  • Son_of_dad@lemmy.world
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                    1 year ago

                    There is no answer to cult fandom. The u.s is two cults, one more conservative than the other and when you call out a democrat they immediately go tribal and call you a right winger, without thinking that to me you’re the one who is way too fucking conservative.

                    You guys will blame each other for everything the government does, while saying “it’s not my guys fault, he’s only president he has no power!” With a straight face. You guys are fucked, utterly fucked if you’ve gone tribal and thrown up Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders as your examples of what politics should be.

                    I’m not American so I don’t have a horse in the race beyond how much your country’s sick politics infect mine. You guys are all gross. Stop defending billionaires and politicians.

        • tabarnaski@sh.itjust.works
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          1 year ago

          While I agree he didn’t do much from a legislative point of view, calling him a failure is missing the fact that he represented a voice that’s rarely heard in American politics, which might have paved the way people like AOC or Fetterman. Also the fact that he still holds the same views after 30 years is something that can serve as an antidote to cynicism. He’s an inspiring figure to many, and inspiration is important in politics.

          • sock@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            but he alone didnt change legislation (in a democracy) therefore he’s a failure

            • notacat@mander.xyz
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              Yes just like the anti-abortionists failed again and again until they succeeded in taking away rights. Building a movement takes time, especially if it’s not flush with corporate money.