Many in the media criticize Biden because he isn't a new toy for them, and because they envy him.

[highplainsdem]

As far as the not-a-novelty factor goes, it's hurting coverage of the Sanders campaign, too. Been there in 2016, done that, had the t-shirt, let's look at Warren instead, okay?

But for Biden it's even worse. He won his first race before many reporters' parents were born. How many reporters were still in school, maybe grade school, when Obama chose Biden as his VP?

He's already run for president twice before and didn't get the nomination. Jeez, do we have to cover him again?

What in the world can we write about him that hasn't already been said?

It's soooo much more fun, for many journalists, to have a brand new toy.

Though we've seen, as media coverage has shifted from O'Rourke to Buttigieg to Harris to ????, that they get tired of new toys very quickly.


Now, for the envy factor...

I've suspected this was a factor for some journalists for a while now, but it became crystal clear when another DUer, criticizing Biden, pointed to a critical review of Biden by the Washington Post's theater critic.

That critic did a video to accompany his print critique of Biden:

That starts with the standard "Look how long he's been around!" whine.

Then this theater reviewer goes after, of all things, Biden's smile:

"Oh, wow, those teeth! He sometimes looks like a smile that just happens to be attached to a man."

Now THAT's serious, professional reviewing, isn't it?

He complains about Biden showing "enduring fitness."

He criticizes Biden for using a teleprompter, even though many if not most candidates do.

At one point he even says that watching Biden, "You can feel you're watching a film star playing a presidential candidate."

Now...what sort of emotion do you think would motivate a critic to complain that someone has too dazzling a smile, has enduring fitness, and can even seem like a film star playing a presidential candidate?

If you can come up with any emotion other than envy, I'd like to hear your argument for it.

Biden may be 76, but he's an extremely attractive, fit, and accomplished 76, probably in better shape than almost all the journalists covering him.

He jogs down parade routes, and walked so quickly through the Iowa State Fair that journalists were tripping over fairgoers trying to cover him, while Biden watched over them and tried to prevent their clumsiness from causing accidents.

He's good-looking, with possibly the greatest smile of anyone in politics today.

He has a resume and list of accomplishments few can even dream of. Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom With Distinction, the only time in his presidency he gave anyone the nation's highest award for civilians.

Biden has a beautiful wife, who also has an impressive resume, and they're clearly still very much in love.

He's a tireless campaigner with more energy than most men half his age, and he's defied all the expectations of countless pundits and reporters who predicted that he wouldn't be able to maintain his lead in the polls.

If you think that many of the reporters covering Biden, and many of the pundits talking or writing about him, especially the men, aren't intensely aware of how they compare to Biden -- even though he's 76 -- you're kidding yourself.

So they look for any flaws they can find to try to cut him down to their size.

And oh how convenient it is to focus on gaffes.

Especially right after he'd given a great, very moving interview on CNN last Monday, and a brilliant speech excoriating Trump last Wednesday.

But his gaffes!!!!!!!


Oh, and in case you're wondering what a theater critic wandering into politics to complain about Biden looking too good and being too fit looks like, this is WaPo theater critic Peter Marks:

[Thekaspervote]

1. Great dissection of the media flip flop... we hate him we love him thx for posting

[highplainsdem]

3. Thanks! It's been so frustrating to watch the unfair coverage of Biden, and it's been going

on for months now.

[still_one]

6. Yes, and in spite of that he doesn't lash out at the coverage calling it bias.

[question everything]

13. Because he is a gentleman but, oh, this is so 20th Century..

[snowybirdie]

2. Kick

Good post !

[highplainsdem]

5. Thanks!

[Skya Rhen]

4. I have to agree with every single thing that you wrote - especially the part about his looks.

He is an attractive, distinguished gentleman who always looks impeccable - from head to toe. Some people have even said that he is vain (yet, another envious jab). Except, he is not vain - he just takes pride in himself. This is what I expect from anyone that is being interviewed for a job.

For over 25 years, I have admired everything about him - his charm, his smile, his wit, his confidence, his authenticity, his compassion and yes - his looks. Call me superficial...

[highplainsdem]

14. You're not being superficial at all. There are so many reasons to admire Biden.

[emmaverybo]

7. You got it. Great piece, so well written.

[highplainsdem]

15. Thank you!

[Cha]

8. That was my first reaction when

I read that theater guy's review. That he was jealous.

Well Done, highplains.. Thank You!

[highplainsdem]

16. You're welcome, Cha, and thank you!

And yes, that theater critic sounded terribly jealous of Biden.

[cwydro]

9. They "envy" him?

Oh my.

[oasis]

10. "It seems like happiness is just a thing called Joe, he's got a smile that

makes the lilacs want to grow".

Take your pap and stick it, drama critic.

[highplainsdem]

18. LOL!

[question everything]

11. Didn't Obama once talk about visiting all 54 states?

And Harris referred to Biden as "Senator Biden" during the debate

And Warren told a CNN interviewer that there are “two coequal branches of government, the president of the United States and the Congress,” forgetting the judicial.

We all miss on occasions. Especially during a rigorous campaign and in the hot Iowa State Fair.

[treestar]

12. If Biden had made like mistakes

the media and DU/P would have made a much bigger deal.

[highplainsdem]

20. Yes, though I think Obama referred to 57 states.

And yes, Warren said during a CNN interview that there are just two branches of government.

Re Harris referring to Biden as "Senator Biden" -- that might have been a gaffe, but I've also seen some speculation that it was a deliberate insult in response to his saying "Take it easy on me, kid" as an icebreaker right before the debate. Some of her supporters on Twitter felt that Biden had insulted her and they seemed happy that she insulted him back. I honestly don't know what was going on there, but I hope Harris wasn't being that petty.

[cwydro]

22. Absolutely.

I have a great memory, but I can’t imagine being in the high pressure situations that they have to deal with day to day. Plus meeting so many people all the time...

I get sweaty palms just thinking about it.

[Mike 03]

17. Maybe this is not relevant,

but there's also the enormous amount of suffering this man has experienced in his life. In order to treat him superficially, you have to completely disregard that, and that his entire life has basically been about public service.

EDIT: In spite of all that, he never turned cynical.

[highplainsdem]

21. It's very relevant, and it's another reason why the media coverage attempting to reduce Biden to

a bumbling gaffe machine is so contemptible.

And you're right that he never turned cynical. He became more compassionate, more empathetic.

And, sadly, that willingness to console and to show concern and affection also came under attack.

I recently finished reading Jill BIden's book, and it sheds a lot of light on the Biden family. They have a saying about the importance of offering support immediately to those who need it. They say, "If you have to ask, it's too late."

[cwydro]

23. That's very true, and very relevant.

[Scurrilous]

19. K&R