We all understand that there is a very precise divide in American politics, that has morphed into something not unlike an NCAA sports rivalry: You’re born into your team and it makes you irrationally hate everyone who wasn’t.
But there is an expectation of decorum in American politics, in which those we deem worthy of sending to Washington DC on our behalf will not, under any circumstances, insult their political opponents’ base. There shall be no direct shots at the supporters of the opposition…after all, they’re the ones whose taxes cut the checks.
Joe Biden has been a largely inoffensive president in this regard, but a strange comment this week has some wondering how he really feels.
During a White House event on coronavirus relief, Biden was asked by a reporter how to get more Republicans and supporters of President Trump to get vaccinated.
“I urge all local docs, and ministers and priests to talk about why, why it’s important to get that vaccine, and even after that until everyone is in fact vaccinated to wear this mask,” Biden said.
Biden said he discussed the issue of Republicans remaining unwilling to get the coronavirus vaccines with his staff.
“They say the thing that has even more impact than anything Trump would say to the MAGA folks is what the local doctor, what the local preachers, what the local people in the community say,” he said.
The moment is reminiscent of Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of an Australian actor portraying an African-American solider in Tropic Thunder, who inadvertently uses the phrase “you people” in such a way that another character, who was African-American, called him out on it.
