Last night my wife and I started streaming a show new to us, Victoria. It is a Masterpiece Theater production, many of which we have already enjoyed, as well as a look at the life of a British queen, many of which we have already enjoyed. The series begins with Victoria’s rise to the throne at age 18 and the machinations that accompanied such. Should she have a regency? Whom would be her advisors? Could she trust anyone? Could she trust herself?
I woke today to yet another story of a man who recently ascended to power, the President of the United States. One of the key questions during the campaign and since has been his mental competency. Wildly distanced and meticulously choreographed press conferences since his inauguration, and sundry malapropisms at the recent G7 meetings keep raising the question- is the President quite alright? Is he all there?
This may be a perfect example of confirmation bias as those on the left will tend to see no evidence as evidence of his impairment and those on the right will tend to see all evidence as evidence of his impairment. The most compelling evidence, however, tends to come from the President’s own lips, ironically when he’s actually making sense. That is, more compelling than the sundry gaffes that have been a part of his life for decades, are the open admissions that he is fearful he will “get in trouble” with his staff.
At least twice during a brief appearance before the press during the G7 Summit the president remarked about his need to follow the instructions of others in what he answered and how he answered. While this has received a modicum of coverage, along with his calling Syria Libya three times and mistakenly rebuking British Prime Minister Boris Johnson for failing to introduce the South African Prime Minister, it doesn’t seem the mainstream media is taking any of this too seriously.
Queen Victoria, some thought, was too young to be trusted. President Biden, it seems, is too old to be trusted. The lack of trust comes not from his political enemies, but from his presidential handlers. Queen Victoria, at age 18, demonstrated her pluck and resolve by not only choosing her own counselors but by insisting that her reign was just that, a reign. She would not answer to anyone. President Biden, sixty years past being 18, on the other hand, not only admits to receiving instruction from those technically under him in authority, but fearing their reprisals/judgment should he not toe the line.
Queen Victoria ruled the British empire for 64 years, setting an example of strength followed well by Queen Elizabeth II, Victoria’s great-great granddaughter. President Biden’s future remains to be seen. Were I a betting man, I’d wager a scandal will erupt during Biden’s administration that will make Watergate look like a picnic. A scandal rooted in who knew what about his deficiencies, and who sought to take advantage. An ill wind blows for those who’ve had their hands in handling the President.