It’s Saint Patrick’s Day again. Let’s see if our esteemed President manages to make it through the day without insulting the Irish again.

Maybe the little Leprechaun in him will act as a guardian angel this year, preventing Joe from using the same failed joke he’s used at least three times before, should he issue some sort of statement or attempt to smack a few words together today.

“I may be Irish, but I’m not stupid,” is that “joke” he seems to believe is a knee slapper. And then keeps using it even though it makes people uncomfortable. Kind of like the drunk uncle or the creepy cousin who likes to sniff little girls’ hair… Oh, wait. That’s also Joe, isn’t it? 

By our count, Biden has dropped this humdinger at least three times in public. Let us know if you’ve caught more than that.

At a 2105 swearing-in ceremony for Senators, Biden hustled (he could still do that back then) to a spot near an attractive woman for a photo-op, chuckling conspiratorially to Lindsey Graham, that, “I may be Irish, but I’m not stupid.” 

Wink wink. 

The line must have registered as hilarious within Biden’s brain because he unpacked it again early in his presidential campaign. This time it was to a crowd in Iowa, along the campaign trail. That’s when his people were still learning how to cover for him, so Trina Vargo, Obama’s adviser on Irish relations, mounted a feeble rescue with her statement that, “Joe Biden clearly has nostalgic feelings about his Irish ancestry, so I doubt he intended to insult Irish people. But that does not excuse such a comment.” 

Do you think, Trina? Does anyone want to imagine what the response would have been if Trump had ever said that? 

Perhaps emboldened by his own perception of the joke’s comedic value, Biden brought it out one more time last year, this time during a Saint Patrick’s day speech at the White House.

Father, before I begin.. bless me, Father, for I’m about to sin.  I, well, I just want you to know, I may be Irish, but I’m not stupid.  I married Dominic Giacoppa’s daughter.  Okay?

Okay, Joe,  whatever you say. 

Joe loves dropping lines like this, but he doesn’t reserve them all for Irish people. Remember the time he said this? 

Poor kids are just as bright and just as talented as white kids.

Or how about the time he said,

… unlike the African American community, with notable exceptions, the Latino community is an incredibly diverse community with incredibly different attitudes about different things.

Truly wince-worthy. Maybe someone caught on that Joe should not be the one to make these comments regarding different cultures. Maybe that’s why they deployed Jill to address Hispanic diversity. Unfortunately, she and her husband appear to have the same silver tongue on the topic. Remember when Jill  fell apart trying to say the word “bodega” and then compared a community to breakfast tacos with this comment:

…the diversity of this community – as distinct as the bodegas of the Bronx, as beautiful as the blossoms of Miami, and as unique as the breakfast tacos here in San Antonio – is your strength.

Well, at least they’re consistent with their messaging. 

May the luck of the Irish be with you today, Mr. President. And may your people keep you and your wife far away from a microphone.


Barb Allen is a speaker, award-winning author, Gold Star Wife, and co-founder of the Great American Syndicate. Follow Barbara Allen on Instagram at @barballenspeaks

The Great American Syndicate is for America’s Boldest Citizens. We love America and believe in America’s Core Values, personal freedom, the Constitution, and the American Dream. Believe the same? Become a member now and stand with us!

great american syndicate

Join The Conversation!

Reader Interactions

Conversation

JOIN AMERICA'S COMMUNITY

Get Insider Access To New Gear, Events And A Whole Lot More.