 When I saw the Michael Shearer story in the Times on July 4th, recounting how President Biden had stumbled talking to black radio hosts days after his debate debacle, telling one he was proud to have been the first black woman to serve with a black president. I knew it spelled trouble. First of all, if any white man could claim to be the first black woman in the Oval, it was Bill Clinton. Black fans called him the first black president and feminist fans called him the first woman president. Second of all, we were entering a new post-debate examination period with President Biden where every word would be scrutinized.