“You Look Old When You Shuffle” – Mitt Romney Helped Biden “Look More Vigorous” and Now They’re Friends

Jo ShawOct 27, 2023

Minute Read

Senator Romney gave Biden advice on how to “look more vigorous in public,” MacKay Coppins wrote in the new book Romney: A Reckoning.

“You Look Old When You Shuffle.”

Image Credit: Christopher Halloran / Shutterstock.

The new book details how Romney told President Biden, “You look old when you shuffle,” and advised Biden to “take longer strides.” The 76-year-old Senator candidly remarked to President Biden, now 80, that his walk made him appear old. President Biden currently holds the distinction of being the most senior president in the history of the US.

Biden Attempted to Take Longer Strides

The author MacKay Coppins wrote how Biden had called Romney to inform him that he had followed his advice. “‘I tried it!’ [Biden said]

The First Lady Took Notice

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.

MacKay Coppins wrote, “He made a point of lengthening his paces as he exited the stage after a speech, and the First Lady had taken notice. ‘What’s gotten into you?’ she asked.”

Biden and Romney Shared Admiration

According to the book, Biden once called Romney to tell him he admired him. “‘I [Biden] wanted to call and tell you that I admire your character and your personal honor,” wrote the author. “We disagree on a lot of things, but I think highly of you as a person.” The author detailed how Romney was surprised by the unexpected call and replied, “I feel the same way.”

Compromise Has Led to a “Crisis in Democracy.”

Simon and Schuster wrote about the new book, stating that it “exposes how a trail of seemingly small compromises by political leaders has led to a crisis in democracy.”

A Flawed Politician Summoning “Moral Courage”

“Ultimately, Romney: A Reckoning is a redemptive story about a flawed politician who summoned his moral courage just as fear and divisiveness were overtaking American life,” Simon and Shuster concluded.

“Not the Right Guys” to “Make Decisions for Tomorrow”

Senator Mitt Romney has recently announced he would not run for re-election next year, explaining that “a bunch of guys” who were around in the “post-war era” are not the right ones to make “decisions for tomorrow.”

“We Don’t Need Another Person in Their 80’s.”

When reporters asked the Senator why he was not considering running again, Romney explained, “While everyone has to make their own decisions and consider their own circumstances,” “I just don’t think we need another person in their 80’s,” he stated.

Biden and Trump Should Stand Aside

Romney spoke with CNN reporters on Capitol Hill when he stated, “I think it would be a great thing if President Biden and former President Trump were to stand aside and let their respective party pick someone in the next generation.”

The Next Generation Needs to “Step Up.”

“At the end of another term, I’d be in my mid-80’s. Frankly, it’s time for a new generation of leaders,” Romney further declared. “The times we are living in really demand the next generation to step up,” he told CNN reporters at the Capitol.

Romney Is Not Endorsing Any Candidate

When asked by reporters whom Romney would endorse in the next 2024 election campaign, Romney responded, “Endorsements are not worth a bucket of spit.” “Who cares who endorsed who,” he stated.

Biden’s Time to Transition

Image Credit: Drop of Light / Shutterstock.

The Senator then repeated that it was time for Biden to step down. “President Biden said he was a transitional figure in the next generation. Well, time to transition,” Romney told the Press.

Republican Party in the Shadow of Donald Trump

When reporters asked Romney about his thoughts on Trump’s popularity within the GOP, Romney said that there was “no question” that “the republican party today is in the shadow of Donald Trump.”

The Demagogue Portion of the Party

Editorial credit: Evan El-Amin / Shutterstock.

“He is the leader of the greatest portion of the Republican Party. It is a populist, I believe, demagogue portion of the party,” said Romney.

Romney Represents the Wise Wing

Image Credit: danielfela / Shutterstock.

“I represent a small wing of the party,” said Romney. “I call it the wise wing of the Republican Party,” he told reporters.

The “Wise Wing” Will See a Resurgence

Romney went on further to add that he thought the “wise wing” would see a comeback, stating Trump’s wing of the party has too much negativity and is not interested in policymaking.

Trump’s Wing of GOP, “Getting Even” and “Settling Scores.”

“The wise wing” will see a “resurgence,” said the Senator. “The Trump wing of the Party talks about resentments of various kinds, getting even, and settling scores, and revisiting the 2020 Election,” illustrated Romney.

No Policies for the Future

He also stated that Trump’s wing of the GOP was not interested in making policies for the future. “What are the policies for the future?” asked Romney.

Romney Doesn’t Expect Impeachment Trial to Happen

When reporters pressed Romney about Biden’s impeachment inquiry, he said he didn’t expect an impeachment trial to happen as he did not see evidence of “high crime” or “misdemeanor.”

Politicians Should Be Forced to Retire

Many have come out to use Biden’s age against him in his run for the 2024 Presidency, citing that his mental health is on the decline. However, Trump is only a few years younger than Biden and has not faced the same criticism. One user posted, “I think all politicians should be forced to retire when they’re 75. As somebody else said, ‘The Senate is just a giant nursing home.’”

Is Age Such an Important Factor?

Another said, “… By far the biggest criticism I hear about Biden is ‘He’s old’ when Trump is only 3 years younger and very obviously more unhealthy than Biden. The Trump supporters concern trolling about Biden’s age don’t actually care about age as a factor since if they did they wouldn’t be supporting Trump…”