The Bidens worked the system.

Like most CEOs, I wanted Joe Biden to be the Democratic candidate to ensure no socialist got anywhere near the White House; however, after self-inflicted gaffes, his campaign now looks doomed. Once the smoke clears from the Trump-Ukraine impeachment bonfire, Biden will be the ultimate loser. Oddly, the more we know, the more it seems Joe needs to retire from public service.

Biden was angered by a reporter’s “conflict of interest” question on Friday. Asked about his son’s work in Ukraine, Biden snapped, “It’s not a conflict of interest; there’s been no indication of any conflict of interest from the Ukraine or anywhere else. Period.” Ahem, maybe Joe’s actions did not hurt US interests, but he was mired in conflicts of interest, along with other “dirty” Democrats like Hillary Clinton.

In 2013, Hunter Biden’s drug history was waived to receive an officer’s commission in the naval reserve, his dad administered the oath in the White House, and the son tested positive for cocaine one month later. After his discharge, should Joe Biden have further enabled the misfit son? Billy Carter, Marvin Bush, and the Rodham brothers should have taught the Vice President not to allow someone of such limited ability to trade on the family name.

Hunter Biden exemplifies why working-class Americans don’t like political privilege. His New Yorker interview is telling: from substance abuse to a six-figure bank job and bank loan for 110% of the house’s value, to a ride on Air Force Two and a nice-to-meet-you gift of a large diamond from a Chinese businessman. Where are the hard lessons the typical addict learns?

It is a fact Hunter Biden owns a 10% stake in the Shanghai-based Bohai Harvest private equity fund, and the relationship developed before, during and after the 2013 trip on Air Force Two. It is a fact Hunter Biden took a seat on the Burisma (Ukraine) board in 2014, while his father was Obama’s point man on the Ukraine. It is a fact that Joe Biden withheld US funds from the Ukraine until that prosecutor was fired (ending the Burisma investigation).

Folks on Main Street know Bohai Harvest and Burisma would not even return Hunter’s phone calls without the “Biden” name. His lucrative deals, while his father was supposedly dealing “tough love” to China and Ukraine, are the very definition of conflicts of interest, especially in light of Hunter’s over-the-top personal problems.

Further, Adam Schiff and the CIA whistleblower have not done Joe Biden any favors. The whistleblower spoke to Schiff but omitted that tidbit on the ICIG form, and Schiff denied contact with the whistleblower on MSNBC. The US envoy to the Ukraine testified under oath to Schiff’s committee Trump pushed no quid pro quo of weapons for investigations.

And there you have it. President Trump plausibly countered allegations his conversation with President Zelensky had anything to do with the 2020 election, and Zelensky told the US press he was not pressured by the US President. Joe Biden admitted to successful quid pro quo pressure, and Adam Schiff has injected doubt into the legitimacy of his inquiry. Joe Biden cannot hide from questions about his role in Hunter’s sweetheart deals.

No wonder Biden’s numbers (fund-raising and polling) are sinking, because he’s caught in the Trump and left-wing crossfire. Even if he survives and wins the nomination, his moral criticism of Donald Trump will smell of hypocrisy. Imagine Biden in a character debate after the IG and DOJ provide the truth about the last election. Ouch!

By Spencer Morten

The writer is a retired CEO of a US corporation, whose views were informed by studies and work in the US and abroad. An economist by education, and pragmatist by experience, he believes the greatest threat to peace and prosperity are the loudest voices with the least experience and expertise.