Joe Biden Has a Much Higher IQ Than You

Well, he's addressing "Frank" here, but I think "Frank" simply represents most of us, in Joe Biden's estimation.

The boast would be annoying enough if it were true. It turns out -- no, it's really not true at all.

He didn't get a full scholarship, and the partial scholarship he received was based purely on financial need, not academic excellence. He graduated 76th of 85 students, not "in the top half" of his class. He didn't get "three degrees" in college; he got one degree in a double major, which is hardly some sort of amazing feat. (Where did he get three degrees from? No idea. Captain Ed suggests that math was obviously not one of the three.)

The only thing which may or may not be true is that "outstanding student in political science" thing.

As Mickey Kaus notes, it's easy to feel sympathy for Biden at the question itself -- the sort of credentialist crap we expect from the media (who tend not to be the brightest coins in the piggy bank, either) -- but that sympathy evaporates due to his arrogant answer. Which turns out to be not merely arrogant, but in fact almost completely dishonest to boot.

But surely this was merely a youthful indiscretion when he was but a callow lad of 40-such, right? Well, no. He also conjures up a trio of ridiculous Biden Under Fire scenarios to show what a globe-hopping tough-guy he is, too. And he did that at this season's debates.

posted by Ace at 02:58 PM

| Access Comments