It's possible that when compared to Obama's "cool" demeanor (which was parodied in a "Saturday Night Live" sketch prior to the election — "Obama Plays It Cool") that any of us would appear bumbling.

It would seem, though, that we've seen some evidence that Obama wants Biden to dial back his bull-in-the-china-shop ebullience. After Biden's quip about Chief Justice Roberts' memory, Obama reached out and gave Biden's elbow a squeeze, the same way a parent would attempt to correct a child acting out of turn.

One wonders what the tag-team of Obama and first lady Michelle Obama might do to Biden should his mouth run amok at a particularly sensitive moment. Some pundits say the Obama daughters are relieved when Grandma Robinson is near because she's not as strict as their mother.

To some degree, though, we model the parenting we are given. Something tells me Mrs. Robinson could steer Biden right should his mouth get ahead of his brain. One eyebrow raised askance and our Average Joe would snap out of it.

Marjorie Cortez, who still wilts at the knees when her mother casts one of "those looks," is a Deseret News editorial writer. E-mail her at marjorie@desnews.com.