Author Mark Steyn says one benefit of Joseph R. Biden’s strange anecdotes and campaign gaffes is that it distracts voters from allegations of cronyism and possible corruption.
The “America Alone” author told Fox News’ Tucker Carlson on Monday evening that “talking gibberish” may ultimately help the former vice president secure the Democratic Party’s 2020 nomination.
“I have waited my entire life for a hairy-legged candidate,” Mr. Steyn joked with the “Tucker Carlson Tonight” host. “This is the critical lane in the Democrat primary. We talk about the moderate lane, the socialist lane, the even-more socialist lane — but the hairy leg lane has been wide open since Beto [O’Rourke] Instagrammed himself shaving his legs back in August and then using an arugula exfoliant to moisturize them. Biden cunningly saw that there was an opening for a hirsute-legged candidate.”
This can’t be real life…
— Tim Murtaugh (@TimMurtaugh) December 1, 2019
pic.twitter.com/UYekx08yTh
Mr. Steyn’s commentary was in reference to a June 2017 speech by Mr. Biden in which he talked about his time as a lifeguard in his youth.
“I got hairy legs that turned … blond in the sun,” Mr. Biden said at the Joseph R. Biden Jr. Aquatic Center.
“And the kids used to come up and reach into the pool and rub my leg down so it was straight and watch the hair come back up again,” Mr. Biden recalled. He then said he “learned about kids jumping on my lap, and I loved kids jumping on my lap.”
The clip has repeatedly surfaced as the subject of mockery on social media platforms.
“Does all of this help or hurt Joe Biden,” Mr. Carlson asked.
“I think on balance it helps him,” Mr. Steyn replied. “If he weren’t crazy and talking gibberish, we’d be talking about how corrupt and squalid he and his family are.”
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.