COMPETENCY TEST: PART TWO — The Weekly Opine

Be careful what you ask for. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Sharpen your pencil

Much continues to be made of the mental competency of President Joe Biden. (Heck, he does look like he’ll barely make it to the finish line of his first term.) And the slingshots are coming from not only the Republican Party. Many Democrats and Independents are suspect of Biden’s acuity as well. Case in point, little known Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn) already announced he’s challenging the Democrat incumbent in next year’s primary.

The announcement that Biden will not attend a major global climate summit in Dubai this week raised eyebrows, too. Given what’s at stake and the priority global warming is for Biden – and for young voters, some of whom are drifting away from Biden – the president skipping such an important gathering is puzzling. Is he physically unable to make the trip?

At least one other Democrat, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, appears ready to step up if Biden is a no-go in 2024. Newsom and Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (who is sagging in GOP presidential polls) are set to debate tonight. It is a boon for both men; an opportunity to debate one-on-one, whereas that format is usually reserved until after the parties choose their nominee.

Newsom is smarter and more polished than the wannabe fascist DeSantis. A poor showing will end DeSantis’ slim chance of winning the Republican nomination. (DeSantis was dealt a serious blow this week when an anti-Trump super PAC, financially supported by Charles Koch, endorsed Nikki Haley.)

But I digress. This column is about competency. Raised by Nikki Haley last spring, questions about mental competency go beyond Biden. Others deserve to be evaluated, too, starting with Trump and Haley.

Competency defined

Webster’s defines competency as “possession of sufficient knowledge or skill.” OK, that’s straightforward. So, let’s get started. And since she brought it up last March…ladies first.

Nikki Haley – The former governor of South Carolina is being anointed as the little engine that could. That is, if Trump can’t (due to the weight of his unrelenting legal problems). Unfortunately, Haley “stepped in it” two weeks ago, proving she is undeserving of the Republican nomination.

In a confounding statement, Nikki Haley waxed that Trump is not fit to be president but then, in the same sentence, dropped down on bended knee to declare her unshakable fealty to the treasonous insurrectionist. Haley said she will support Trump if he is the Republican nominee. Wow!

I’ve been suspicious of Nikki Haley from the jump, and not only did she justify my suspicion, but she’s also proven herself incompetent. It is not compatible to say, on the one hand, Trump is not fit to be president and then turn around and say you will support him if he is the nominee. Does Haley not understand that electing someone unfit makes America and the globe more vulnerable and more dangerous? Nikki Haley’s support of Trump is a blatant display of incompetence.

Mario Andretti, pictured with yours truly in the early 1990s. Andretti is competent but age has eroded his skills. (Photo credit Douglas Freeland)

Joe Biden – It has been well-documented. The stumbles, the tripping and falling, the pained facial expression as he gropes to find the right words. Clearly, Biden is not as mentally sharp as he was several years ago and he should not be the Democratic nominee. However, he is competent as defined by Webster’s. Biden possesses sufficient knowledge. But he is physically unable to handle the pace and demands required of our president. And Biden’s ability to, at the snap of a finger, tap into his reservoir of political skills is fading.

Here’s an example. Mario Andretti is the greatest racecar driver of all time. Andretti is still competent, i.e., he possesses sufficient motorsports knowledge. But at age 83, Andretti no longer possesses the physical skill to handle racecars. Therefore, Andretti should not be allowed to drive an Indy car that reaches speeds of 240 miles per hour.

Similarly, Joe Biden needs to step aside. While he may technically be competent, he’s not physically capable and his mental capacity is undeniably recessing. It’s time for the Democratic National Committee to find a replacement.

Trump – In addition to being a serial liar and a 4-times indicted loser, Trump has proven to be highly incompetent. His incompetence led him to believe VP Mike Pence could unilaterally change the election outcome. Trump doesn’t “get it” that he cannot declassify documents by muttering to himself the documents are declassified.

Despite increased physical missteps, President Biden is competent. Trump is clearly incompetent. Nikki Haley made a tone deaf boo-boo flaunting an assault weapon and her recent statement supporting Trump demonstrated she’s incompetent. (Photos credit CNN, AP News, The Independent)

Despite boasting he would bring in “the best people,” Trump’s incompetence was showcased as several handpicked advisors are now convicted criminals including Paul Manafort, Roger Stone, Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro. Many others, including Rudy Giuliani, have been indicted.

Trump is clueless regarding the sacrifices made by our military. Consequently, he labels our troops “suckers” and “losers.” He doesn’t grasp science, foolishly stating that drinking bleach can cure covid. Trump has little understanding of how international relationships work, bragging he’d make Mexico pay for his wall and calling for 10% tariffs on foreign goods. The border wall is not completed, and Mexico did not pay for the small portion of wall the Trump administration built. Trump is incompetent as it relates to the value of NATO allies.

Anyone impeached twice is obviously incompetent. Trump is also an incompetent businessman, as proven during his fraud trial. Additionally, according to financial reporting, Trump’s Truth Social platform teeters near bankruptcy. Trump’s incompetency and fraudulent behavior drove his charity into the ground.

But most alarmingly, Trump’s incompetence leads him not to support the U.S. Constitution and democracy. Instead, Trump subscribes to authoritarianism and fascism.

To set the popular (and incorrect) record straight re: Biden’s lack of competency, Biden is not incompetent. Biden is unable to keep pace and he is frail and uninspiring. Trump is flat out incompetent. And he’s a dangerous criminal.

America, we can do better than another round of Biden versus Trump. And we must do better than turning the U.S. into a fascist-fueled autocracy.