Joe Biden and the tragedy of liberal denialism

There is no good solution now. We are in the realm of the least worst. If the US Democrats go with someone other than Mr Joe Biden as their presidential nominee, think of the implicit message to voters. “We tried our utmost to sneak an untenable candidate past you, but the scrutiny of a live television debate foiled us. Ah well, here’s his replacement.” This 11th-hour capitulation to realities that have been obvious for several years looks both clumsy and slippery.

If Mr Biden runs, however, that is worse.

His glitches of speech and manner,

which are glaring enough now, are likelier to multiply than to go away. Some 72 per cent of registered voters think he has not the cognitive wherewithal to be president.