The released written statement by Joe Biden (attributed to him and Jill) regarding the death of former President Jimmy Carter was perfectly fine.

It was a little long, but respectful. It reads, in part:

Over six decades, we had the honor of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what’s extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well.

With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us. He saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe.

He was a man of great character and courage, hope and optimism. We will always cherish seeing him and Rosalynn together. The love shared between Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter is the definition of partnership and their humble leadership is the definition of patriotism.

We will miss them both dearly, but take solace knowing they are reunited once again and will remain forever in our hearts.

But then, because his staff just no longer cares, Joe Biden got in front of cameras while on vacation in St. Croix to make Jimmy Carter’s passing about himself. And this little impromptu speech nearly made itself a drinking game. Biden spoke for a little over five minutes, and then took a few questions from the press who had gathered.

First of all, let’s just address the elephant in the room. Joe Biden, who was coughing through the opening of that little speech, looks like death warmed over. He looks frail and elderly, and honestly, unless Bill Clinton suddenly keels over from a heart attack, the next presidential funeral after Jimmy Carter’s will be Joe Biden’s. Second, back in March 2023, Biden bragged at a DNC fundraiser that Carter had asked him to give the eulogy at his funeral. I’m not sure that’s a possibility now (and it really wasn’t a good option almost two years ago, either). Though I cannot deny it would be a highly-watched trainwreck from beginning to end.
https://twitter.com/RantyAmyCurtis/status/1873532307866517722
If he does give the eulogy, it’s going to be pre-recorded and the number of jump cuts will be insane. There is just no way to keep Biden on track when he’s speaking live any longer. In his five minute-plus speech, Biden kept making the death of Carter all about himself. Just look at where he went over the course of five-plus minutes.
– He and Jimmy Carter had been friends for 50 years.
– He was the first “national figure” to endorse Carter back in 1976.
– Carter was there for him when Beau died of cancer (because Joe Biden cannot get through a speech without mentioning Saint Beau).
– Carter believed “like I do” that cancer can be cured.
– Jimmy Carter reminded Joe Biden of his dad. (Oooookay….)
– Biden claims that he and Carter both believed “that everyone deserves a shot.”
– He nearly tells an “inappropriate story” about Carter that he then says “his son might tell” later. (WHAT.)

And yes, mixed in there was a little bit of Jimmy Carter’s life story and love story, but while Biden was touting Carter as a modern “man for all seasons” (laying it on a little thick, huh?), he was very much focused on his own political and personal connections with Jimmy Carter. It’s more than obvious that Joe Biden wants to be seen after leaving the presidency as a statesman on par with Carter, and the first question from the press was definitely aimed at setting that softball up for Biden. The question was “as you think about your post-presidency, is there anything about Jimmy Carter’s time after leaving office that inspires you?” and Biden’s automatic response was “Yeah, never give up hope.” Ummmm… what.

BIDEN (rambling): "So much negativism out there" pic.twitter.com/ifqFldCdiq

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) December 30, 2024

Is anyone else noticing that this answer doesn’t match the question at all? Yikes. The next question was “what is your fondest memory of Jimmy Carter?” I kid you not, Joe Biden brings up Beau AGAIN. After remembering that Carter asked for his help on his presidential campaign, Biden then says that Jimmy and Rosalynn were “very kind” to him and Jill when Beau died. Which is a fine memory to bring up – if Joe HADN’T SAID IT ALREADY and has a terrible habit of bringing everything back to Beau.

After Biden confirmed that a state funeral is in the works, and the staff was quite clearly trying to wrap up the presser, Biden is asked something along the lines of what he is taking from President Carter (the crosstalk makes it hard to figure out what the exact wording was). This was Biden’s response, complete with Joker grin rictus.

The unmitigated gall of the corrupt Biden lecturing Americans on decency off of Carter's death pic.twitter.com/B0kTiVfaFq

— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) December 30, 2024

Sorry, I’m not taking lectures on “decency” from Joe Biden. This man has enabled his son in every possible way, right down to allowing him to deny his own child and avoid responsibility for his crimes (mostly because it also protected Joe’s pasty ass). Joe Biden commuted death sentences for the worst criminals on death row, except the political hot potatoes, even though the families of the victims begged him not to do it. Some victims are more equal that others, in Biden’s mind. Biden pardoned an actual murderer, along with hundreds of other criminals. He repeatedly called Donald Trump “a threat to democracy” and then was shocked, SHOCKED, when there were actual assassination attempts. Joe Biden is an angry and bitter old man, who has used the power of his political office for his and his family’s benefit for decades. No one will ever label Joe Biden as “decent” when the history books are written.

The state funeral for Jimmy Carter is apparently scheduled for January 9, 2025. This will put a lot of pressure on the Washington DC area, as the inauguration will take place just eleven days later. Interestingly, Biden himself was supposed to be gone on January 9th, for a planned last visit to the Vatican. This was announced before Carter’s death, so the assumption is that Biden will delay his departure until after the state funeral that day. But a presidential state funeral is no small potatoes, and Biden will still be the sitting president at that time. That planned trip does bring into question just how large a role Joe Biden will have in the funeral itself – and if he will fulfill that “promise” (or threat) of delivering the eulogy himself.

Featured image: original Victory Girls art by Darleen Click