There is a dilemma that one faces when confronted with the words of someone who is known to have a penchant for invention: Should one believe anything they say ever?
There is a legal principle that offers some aid in this dilemma: if a person’s testimony is contrary to their own interests, it is more likely to be true. This concept is actually enshrined in an exception to the hearsay rule (which excludes evidence of out-of-court statements) commonly called “confession (or testimony) against interests.” The logic behind this is pretty obvious – people generally don’t tend to reveal things that are contrary to their interests unless they are true.
This is the principle I apply when considering statements by people like Adam Schiff (D-CA) – for obvious reasons.
WATCH: Steve Garvey ends Adam Schiff’s appearance with great answer on Russia collusion
Adam Schiff is scolded and lectured after spreading falsehoods about drownings at the border
Truth-doubter Adam Schiff perversely revels in the humiliation caused by censorship,
You honor me with your hostility’
So when Schiff tells NBC News’ Meet the Press It is noteworthy that questions about Biden’s age and viability are legitimate.
WATCH: President Biden’s performance in the debate “rightly raised questions … about whether [he] has the power to defeat Donald Trump,” @RepAdamSchiff (D-Calif.) says.
His advice to Biden now is: “Get the opinion of people you trust… people with a certain distance and objectivity.” pic.twitter.com/xeD2Kiei8W
— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) July 7, 2024
On the Sunday morning show, host Kristen Welker asked Schiff if Biden was the strongest candidate to beat former President Donald Trump. Notably, Schiff initially tries to avoid a direct answer by boasting about Biden’s “extraordinary” presidency before calling Trump the devil incarnate. But as he warms up, he admits that Biden is actually not the strongest candidate to beat Trump.
SCHIFF: …but the performance on the debate stage… um… I think rightly raised questions in the minds of the American people about whether the president has the strength to defeat Donald Trump.
And this is an existential election. Given Joe Biden’s incredible record and Donald Trump’s terrible record, it should pull the rug out from under Donald Trump. Joe Biden is running against a criminal – it shouldn’t even be close, and there’s only one reason it’s close: the president’s age.
And what I would say, Kristen – what I would advise the president – is: get the opinion of people you trust. He’s obviously talked to his family about this, and that’s vital. But he should go and see people with some distance and objectivity. He should go and see pollsters who are not his own.
He should take a moment to make an informed decision, and if the decision is to run, then he should run as speedy as he can and get ahead of that bastard.
Note Schiff’s not-so-subtle hint to Biden to stop listening to only what he wants to hear (i.e., family members and his own pollsters). Welker followed up with a question about whether Schiff thought Biden’s interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos on Friday answered concerns raised after the debate and whether he thought Biden should drop out of the race.
WATCH: Joe Biden’s large interview with George Stephanopoulos is out,
and it is an absolute disaster
Obama’s former top adviser drops the truth bomb in Biden’s Hail Mary interview:
“Sad”, “Dangerously unrealistic”
SCHIFF: The interview did not address the concerns. No single interview can do that. And I think the president has to decide: Can he put those concerns aside? Can he show the American people that what happened on the debate stage was an anomaly, that he can and will beat Donald Trump?
So Schiff is obviously not calling on Biden to drop out of the race altogether, but as with Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) remarkable turnaround on Tuesday, his message is clear: “Do the right thing, Joe.” (Translation: “Exit stage left.”)
A careful observer might also note that pushing Joe out may not be in Schiff’s own best interests, as his own political future is at stake as he faces Republican challenger Steve Garvey in a race for the California Senate seat this fall. Perhaps he longs for stronger supporters and/or believes his future is brighter with a Kamala Harris (or a Gavin Newsom) president.
Still, it’s obvious that even some of Biden’s strongest supporters have lost faith in his ability to win (and lead). Welcome to the club, Adam.
