According to a new book, Republican Senator Mitt Romney and President Joe Biden formed an unlikely friendship after the former shared some advice.
Romney: A Reckoning
Romney reportedly told Biden that the way he walked made him seem old. The pair are close in age – Romney is 76 and Biden is 80. According to journalist McKay Coppins in “Romney: A Reckoning,” the senator said: “You look old when you shuffle. You’ve got to take longer strides.”
Biden Was Excited
Coppins said Biden tried out the advice and was so excited about it that he called Romney to tell him. “I tried it!” he said. According to the book, the first lady noticed the president’s change in pace. “What’s gotten into you?” she reportedly asked.
An Unlikely Duo
Apparently, the unlikely duo opted to keep their friendship mostly private. According to the book, they became even closer after Romney was one of only three Republicans to vote to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court.
A First-Name Basis
In the book, Coppins wrote: “Eventually, Biden began identifying himself on their phone calls with a casual, ‘This is Joe.’ The first time this happened, Romney, who didn’t realize the two were now on a first-name basis, spent the first few seconds of the conversation assuming he was talking to [West Virginia Democrat] Joe Manchin.”
Biden’s 2012 Criticism
Given Biden’s criticism of Romney in 2012, their friendship is undoubtedly surprising. The then-vice president told Black Americans that Romney was “going to put y’all back in chains.”
Biden Expressed Admiration
According to the book, Biden once called Romney completely out of nowhere just to express admiration. “I wanted to call and tell you that I admire your character and your personal honor. We disagree on a lot of things but I think highly of you as a person,” he said. “I feel the same way,” Romney replied.
Not an Endorsement
Though their friendship is seemingly strong, it shouldn’t be taken as an endorsement of political beliefs. Romney has criticized Biden plenty and even called for his retirement, along with that of former President Donald Trump.
The Internet’s Response
News of Romney’s advice and the unlikely friendship that sprouted from it was shared across the internet. For the most part, commenters declined to discuss the relationship at hand and instead focused their efforts on criticizing Biden.
Weak and Falling
Despite Biden’s rare-for-his-age ability to recover from falls, one social media commenter called him “weak.” They wrote: “He is old. He is weak and falling. Everyone can see this, including our world leaders. Sad but true. He is the most corrupt president in history.”
Ability to Tell the Truth
Others said Biden should work on his “ability to tell the truth” rather than his walk: “Longer strides? He tried it. He looks like a dork doing it that way too. Changed shoes and everything. Let’s work on his ability to tell the truth without it turning out to be a lie.”
Romney’s Pointless Advice
One person found Romney’s advice to be pointless. They said: “He looks old because he is. Why can’t everyone see that? Just because you change your shuffle to make yourself appear younger doesn’t mean you are younger.”
Corrupt, Diminished, Incompetent
Another commenter wrote: “It’s not that Joe is old, it’s the issue of him being corrupt, diminished, incompetent, and a puppet to Obama. I know plenty of 80-year-olds that still have their wit and are sharp as a tack. Joe’s not one of them.”
Lost on Stage
Others asked for solutions to Biden’s other problems: “Back to trying to change what’s on the outside, not what’s on the inside. How does Romney suggest he fix his being lost on stage whenever he’s to exit? Leaving events early for no real reason? Mumbling when he speaks?”
He Does Not Walk With Confidence
The commenter continued: “Not finishing sentences he starts? Getting lost reading his cue cards and teleprompters? Going off to Delaware every other weekend? Yes, Biden walks like an old man – and it’s not just because he has arthritis. He does not walk with confidence.”
The Unnecessary Speculation
One person speculated about Biden’s walk: “The shuffling when he walks is actually part of Alzheimer’s. The vision is impaired so they shuffle because they feel like they are going to fall. My mom had this horrible thing and it is slow-acting but permanent.”
President Biden’s Retirement
Plenty of people called for Biden’s retirement: “Biden taking longer strides would result in more falls. Biden trying to come off younger has already cost him – fell off a bicycle. Here’s the deal though, Biden is old and should retire.”
The Importance of Working Together
Despite all the aforementioned criticism, some people did address the unlikely friendship. One such person said: “I would like to think that this is true and that we all can truly get along and be on the same side. If we do not work together, we have let our enemies win.”
A Wholesome Story
Echoing the previously mentioned individual, another commenter wrote: “I’m not a fan of Biden or Romney but this was… kinda wholesome. Two old men bonding over age and advice despite holding opposing views.”
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