That, of course, would be the "you ain't black" remark he let loose with toward the end of his interview with radio host Charlemagne the God.
Gaffes are Biden's signature characteristic, and over the years he's come up with some cringe-inducing doozies. But this one makes explicit a trend that a certain type of gaffe of his has indicated over the years: condescension toward minority demographics.
Reaction has been immediate and strong. BET founder Robert Johnson, Guardian columnist Derecka Purnell, former Democratic Georgia state legislator Vernon Jones, Republican Michigan Senate candidate John James, South Carolina Republican Senator Tim Scott, and Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner have chimed in.
Biden's gaffe problem is similar to Trump's word salad manner of speaking. In each case, it's indicative of the truth that, fundamentally, the person doesn't take himself seriously.
Biden is the classic empty suit. His academic track record from high school through law school was lackluster. He focused on being a charismatic jock. He has gotten by on his knack for glad-handing. He got elected to the Senate at age 29 and never really considered doing anything else with his life. Oh, there was an occasional run for president, but one never got the sense that he was all-consumingly hungry for it. He'd found a comfortable perch, and never even really felt compelled to craft any memorable legislation.
He's been ahead of Trump in polls now for a while, which can be explained by - well, you know. We shall see how much damage this does.
We can look forward to another six months of two very small men vying to out-small each other.
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