i think he had a damaged brain and a pleasant countenance. he was just plain stupid and completely "handled" by the apparatus. a puppet who accepted the word of the people pulling his strings. i say all this and then remember his job before politics was literally being an actor, and not a good actor. more like one who had a look with a pleasant face and good height. his acting career was similar to someone who appeared in lots of hallmark movies, made cheap and released immediately for a fast buck. his other work was some sportscasting, hosting a sunday evening anthology, and motivational speaking for general electric. the guy was a wind up toy for corporate america his entire life.

he probably knew he wasn't "smart" and rather than fight it, just made little jokes between takes which transitioned well to those kind of moments during the theater of politicking.

i get the impression that harris believes she is pulling her own strings, which is not good for anybody, and that she assumes she is the smartest person in the room everywhere she goes. such people are dogshit at levity.