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Some people are really bothered by hearing Joe Biden refer to his wife as “doctor” Jill Biden.

A last week suggested he stop calling her that because her doctorate is in education, not medicine, and calling her doctor, “sounds and feels fraudulent, not to say a touch comic.”

The column then mocked her dissertation, and observed that she was 55 when she got her degree.

I realize a lot of people don’t live up to their titles. I’m sure we could all name a president or two. But I don’t think Joe is trying to imply that his wife will be doing heart transplants in the East Wing.

The title simply indicates you know what you’re talking about in your chosen field. And I think this was a cheap shot, because I’m the parent of a doctoral student and I’ve seen how much work is involved.

So, for anyone who finds these academic titles confusing, let me clear it up.

A doctorate degree doesn’t necessarily mean you can do heart surgery. Also, a master’s degree doesn’t necessarily mean you’re any good at golf. I myself have a bachelor’s degree, yet I’ve been married for 47 years.

Also, and this is important, people with degrees in animal husbandry aren’t married to animals.

And I want to make it very clear: I was born David Ross, but I do not manage the Chicago Cubs.

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