The numbers don’t lie: “Sleepy Joe” just doesn’t have the ooomph of “Crooked Hillary” — or even “Lyin’ Ted.”
Americans are searching for “Sleepy Joe” at just about a third of the rate that they searched for the negative moniker aimed at Hillary Clinton during the same period of 2016.
The data suggests that voters are not latching on to Trump’s negative campaign to make Biden more unpopular. That’s a cornerstone of Trump’s effort to win reelection in November because his own unfavorable ratings have been remarkably high throughout his presidency.
Four years ago, Trump’s trademark attack on Hillary Clinton drew scoffs from political analysts who considered it juvenile and ineffective. They said the same thing about his broadsides at GOP primary rivals “Lyin’ Ted” Cruz and “Lil’ Marco” Rubio.
But it turned out to be political gold, especially when then-FBI Director James Comey announced a bombshell announcement about the probe into her email use just days before Americans went to the polls.
Trump’s own advisers may realize “Sleepy Joe” is a dud. The president has been test-driving new insults like “Corrupt Joe” in recent days.
“Sleepy Joe” was originally concocted as a can’t-miss zinger aimed at Biden’s less-than-inspirational campaign persona and his gaffe-prone style.
But Biden’s decision to largely shut down his in-person campaign amid the coronavirus pandemic has proved a hit with voters who may be seeking a less controversial figure to lead in a time of crisis.
