When faced with someone who is known to fabricate, there’s always a dilemma: should you ever believe what they say?
The law offers some guidance in this dilemma: If the person’s statement is against their interest, then it is more likely to be true. This concept is embodied by an exception to hearsay law (which excludes out-of-court statements as evidence) which is commonly known as “an admission (or statement) contrary to interest. It’s easy to see the logic here — people aren’t likely to say things that go against their interests unless it’s true.
It’s a rule I use when evaluating statements made by people such as Adam Schiff (D-CA), for obvious reasons.
When Schiff says on NBC News’s “Meet the Press,” that questions about Biden’s age and vigor were legitimate, it is worth noticing.
WATCH: Pres. Biden’s debate performance “rightfully raised questions … about whether [he] has the vigor to defeat Donald Trump,” @RepAdamSchiff (D-Calif.) says.
His advice for Biden now: “Seek out the opinions of people you trust … people with some distance and objectivity.” pic.twitter.com/xeD2Kiei8W
— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) July 7, 2024
Kristen Welker, the host of Sunday’s morning show, asked Schiff if Biden was the best candidate to defeat former President Donald Trump. Schiff initially tries to avoid a direct response, bragging about Biden’s “extraordinary” presidency before switching to calling Trump the devil in the flesh. As he warms up, Schiff admits that Biden may not be the best candidate to defeat Trump.
SCHIFF: But the performance on stage…um…I believe rightly raised questions in the American public about whether or not the president has enough vigor to beat Donald Trump.
This is a race of existence. Joe Biden should have a landslide victory over Donald Trump, especially given his incredible record and Donald Trump’s terrible one. Joe Biden is running against a criminal – it shouldn’t be close at all, but it’s because of the president’s old age.
What I would tell Kristen, and what I’d advise the President, is to seek out the opinions of those you can trust. He has spoken to his family, and this is important. He should find people who are objective and have some distance. He should look for pollsters that are not his pollsters.
He should take some time to think and make the best judgment. If the judgment is “Run,” he should run fast and beat the SOB.
Schiff’s not-so-subtle hint to Biden that he should stop listening to what he wants (i.e. his family and pollsters) is worth noting. Welker asked Schiff if he felt Biden’s interview with ABC News’s George Stephanopoulos on Friday addressed concerns raised following the debate, and if he thought Biden should withdraw from the race.
The interview did not put my concerns at ease. This is not something that a single interview can do. What I think the president should decide is, whether can he set aside these concerns. Can he show the American people what happened during the debate was a one-off, and that he will defeat Donald Trump?
Schiff is not calling for Biden to quit the race, but his message is clear, as was Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), who made a notable shift on Tuesday: “Do what’s right, Joe.” (Translation: “Exit stage left.”)
A careful observer may also notice that pushing Joe out of the door may not be against Schiff’s interests. His political future may hang in the balance, as he faces Republican Steve Garvey for California’s U.S. Senate in the fall. He may wish to ride stronger coattails and/or believe that the future is brighter under President Kamala Harris.
Even Biden’s most ardent supporters seem to have lost faith in his leadership and ability to win. Adam, welcome to the club.
