The “do as I say, not as I do” is running strong in Joe Biden and his campaign strategy. Eye on the prize, he’s completely ignoring his fellow Democrat primary competitors (for now) and focusing in on Donald Trump. This time, Biden was complaining about Trump’s nicknames.

While at a fundraiser in South Carolina, the former vice president said that he “wouldn’t stoop to Trump’s level”… and then started in with what he WOULD call Trump, IF he was going to do that.

“There are so many nicknames that I’m inclined to give this guy. We could just start with clown,” Biden told about three dozen supporters at a $1,000-to-$2,800 per person fundraiser in Columbia, South Carolina. “When he says these ridiculous things he says, I mean this, I put my hand up and say, ‘everybody knows who you are’ because they do know.”

Trump regularly assigns derogatory nicknames to political foes. He calls Biden “Sleepy Joe” on Twitter and has tagged many of the other top Democratic contenders.”

A donor urged the former vice president to respond with his own nicknames for Trump, but Biden said he’d aim to keep discourse at a higher level. “The only place he has any confidence is in the mud. The only thing he doesn’t know how to respond to is issues and specifics,” he said.”

Even so, at another point in his response to the question, Biden referred to Trump as a “no good S.O.B.” who would likely turn to attacking his children and grandchildren, “the last people I want to go through” what Trump is likely to hurl their way.”

Oh, where to start. Being a clown sounds like familiar territory for Biden. “Attacking” the Biden family? Well, depends on your version of “attacking,” Joe. Lots of people would like to know about your efforts to keep son Hunter out of drug charges and getting lucrative deals. We can leave out the fact that Thanksgiving dinner at the Biden house just shot into double-super-awkward-cringe territory as Hunter just broke up with his late brother’s wife. Yes, you read that sentence right. Hunter Biden started seeing his sister-in-law Hallie after his brother Beau died, after Hunter’s divorce. Holidays with the Bidens are sure to be totally normal from here on out.

While I agree that family is off-limits, Hunter Biden is a ripe target because it’s clear that dear Daddy protected him from what would have been the downfall of any other cocaine addict, and made sure he always had a soft landing. When Joe crossed the line into using his influence to protect or help his son, that makes the actions of said son fair game.

And it wouldn’t be a Biden fundraiser without a classic gaffe.

Biden also told donors that he’s heard from 14 heads of state from around the world who’ve voiced concerns to him about Trump. That list included Margaret Thatcher, he said, before correcting what he called a “Freudian slip,” that he was actually referring to current British Prime Minister Theresa May.”

That’s less of a “Freudian slip” and more you being freaking old, Joe. I mean, it’s no “stand up, Chuck,” but…

Gaffe-machine Biden is just warming up, everyone. Calling Trump a “clown” or a “no good S.O.B.” is going to be the least of his campaign’s problems going forward.

Featured image: Joe Biden, official White House portrait from 2009, taken by Andrew Cutraro (White House photographer), public domain