When news of the classified document kerfuffle in the Biden White House broke last week my first thought was, “What goes around comes around.” My reaction was, of course, colored by President Joe Biden’s response to a question from Scott Pelley of “60 Minutes” regarding his thoughts on documents found at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. His response was “How that could possibly happen? How can anyone be that irresponsible?”

Now you know Mr. President; just look in a mirror.

Later in response to Peter Doocy of Fox News question “Classified materials next to your Corvette? What were you thinking?” Biden replied, “My Corvette is in a locked garage, OK? So, it’s not like they’re sitting out on the street.”

What a thoughtless totally detached response from a man who seems to have left a trail of classified documents stretching from a Washington DC office to his garage and home in Wilmington, Del.

The president’s response only added to my concerns about his ability to lead our nation, if indeed he has been the leader of his administration at all. His constant use of phrases like “they told me not to do that” or “they told me not to say that” make me wonder who the “they” are that seem to be calling the shots in the White House.

Most Democrats in Congress avoided questions from the press on Bidens document problems or gave mumbled responses saying things like, “the cases are different or not comparable.” Democratic strategist Josh Schwerin, while describing the situation as “certainly not ideal” went on to say, “but it’s important to keep all of this in context: everyone views President Biden as a far more responsible figure than Donald Trump. And that cannot be forgotten.”

Josh, you and I see the situation a little differently. The administration story was that as soon a Biden knew he had the documents he immediately reported that fact to his lawyers. But the truth is that he had actually had them in his possession since January 2017 in his office, his house and garage under lock and key with his classic Corvette. Also, while he “led” an administration that he declared would be the most open and honest one ever he saw no problem in using the FBI as a tool to subvert free speech on Twitter and likely other social media platforms.

It was also his Attorney General who authorized a raid on the home of a former president who at the time was negotiating the return of documents he also had the authority as president to declassify. So please don’t tell me Biden is more responsible than Trump. Also don’t forget the upcoming hearings on Biden family big dollar dealings in China and Ukraine aided and abetted by “The Big Guy.”

Will “Garage Gate,” as some are calling it, have any impact on the 2024 presidential race? My answer is yes. The president has already hinted that he will run in 2024 but that he will make a definitive announcement in March. While I’m not a conspiracy theory guy I think it’s possible that “Garage Gate” with almost daily announcements of new document finds and the quick appointment of a special counsel which conveys the idea of possible criminal prosecution could be part of an effort by concerned Democrats, who see Biden’s elderly demeanor as a hard sell in the 2024 election, to derail his presidential campaign before it even gets started. Progressive Democrat Norman Soloman who leads the so-called “Don’t Run Joe” campaign that is already running television ads in key states says that the party and nation as a whole would be better off if he does not run in 2024.

The major problem for Democrats would be finding a replacement. Their candidate bench is no stronger than it was in 2020 when Joe Biden won the nomination when it dawned on Democrats that he was the only Candidate who would not lead the party to sure defeat. Possible alternatives to Biden include Vice President Kamala Harris who I mention only because vice presidents are traditionally called potential candidates for president but based on her record as VP, she does not stand a chance. Others include Pete Buttigieg whose dismal record as Transportation Secretary almost certainly precludes him from consideration, and Gov. Gavin Newsome of California who would be a hard sell in most other states except possibly New York, Michigan, Illinois, Washington and Hawaii.

What about Former President Trump? He says he’s going to run but a lot could happen between now and the 2024 convention in Milwaukee.

Thomas Kirkpatrick Sr. is a Silver Creek resident. Send comments to editorial@observertoday.com