Cory Hepola: The Democrats have a Joe Biden problem

Cover Image
Photo credit Scott Olson / Getty Images

Former Vice President Joe Biden has taken plenty of criticism for his performance in the first two debates and his closing statement on Wednesday could have been a chance for him to settle some doubts about his candidacy. 

That’s not what happened. While intending to direct the audience to text a number to sign up for updates, he told them to “go” to the number, as if it were a website. For 830 WCCO host Cory Hepola, Biden's error was part of a larger challenge facing the current frontrunner and his party. 

“The Democrats have a Joe Biden problem. Their top candidate is an old white guy from a completely different political world,” Hepola said at the top of his 9-noon show. “Making it worse, every other candidate from his own party is teaming up against him and absolutely shredding him apart. “

To prove his point, Hepola then played this clip:

“It's a lot coming at Biden and all he can do is act nice, smile positively, try to defend himself,” Hepola said. 

Hepola then pointed out that even Biden’s attempt to be friendly with his principal rival so far, Sen. Kamala Harris, by saying “Go easy on me kid,” hadn’t gone down well, as some had taken it to be patronizing. 

Yes, Joe Biden said, “go easy on me kid” to Kamala Harris when they shook hands. Yes, that is totally obnoxious.

— Jessica Valenti (@JessicaValenti) August 1, 2019

“The larger issue with Biden saying that is, who says that? Who says ‘kid’ to an adult?” Hepola asked. “Well, you know who does? Old White Guy politicians. That's who says it and the Democrats are concerned about an old white guy representing the party and beating Trump.” 

Listen to the segment here: