Joe Biden talking about Satchel Paige

President Joe Biden is well-known for many things. He’s been a part of politics for over four decades; he often rode the train to get from his home in Delaware to Capitol Hill. He’s known for his support of some controversial legislation, such as that dealing with habitual offender sentences.

Unfortunately, Joe Biden is also known for his “gaffe-tastic” ability.

During 2020 the campaign, Biden famously noted, “If you don’t vote for me, you’re not black.” Another bizarre gaffe during the 2020 primaries involved now VP Kamala Harris, “I will develop some disease and say I have to resign.” This was his answer to a question regarding how he and Harris might resolve a disagreement.

The gaffes don’t stop during the 2020 presidential campaign. In 1987, when asked by a high school teacher in New Hampshire where Biden went to law school, Biden snapped, replying, “I probably have a much higher IQ than you do!” In 2007, again, during a prospective presidential run, Biden said, “You cannot go to a 7-Eleven or a Dunkin’ Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent.”

Americans have little choice but to accept Joe’s gaffes; he’s even admitted himself that he suffers from an extraordinary ability to put his foot in his mouth.

Yesterday, however, Biden drew ire during the Veteran’s Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. There, he referred to the late baseball great Satchel Paige – who played in the Negro leagues as baseball was not integrated at the time – as “the great Negro.” He would later correct himself upon realizing what he had said.

At the time, Biden was speaking in honor of his current Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s father. Donald Blinken was an Army veteran and former Ambassador to Hungary. Suddenly, Biden began to speak on Satchel Paige, who would eventually play in Major League Baseball during the 1940s.

Biden said, “I’ve adopted the attitude of the great negro at the time, pitcher of the Negro leagues, who went on to become a great pitcher in the pros and in Major League Baseball after Jackie Robinson. His name was Satchel Paige.”

Biden’s speech after the gaffe is even more bewildering. He talked about Satchel Paige pitching in an MLB game against the Chicago Cubs at the age of 47. Biden continued to quote Paige; however, it seemed to be more of a rambling. Apparently, Satchel Paige once said, “How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were?”

Somehow, Biden came back to his main point. He mentioned that Blinken is 95, but he (Biden) is only 50 years old while Donald Blinken is only 47.

Surprisingly, as has happened in the past, no one cut Biden’s mic when he wavered from his subject. Maybe we Americans have come to appreciate – even anticipate – the times Biden fails to follow the script. Although Biden’s comment is insensitive, he seems to be in pursuit of praising Satchel Paige rather than disparaging him.

Americans will just add the comment to Biden’s many gaffe-tastic moments.