Another messaging snafu from the White House
When it comes to messaging, the Biden administration has a problem on its hands and that problem is named Joseph Robinette Biden, Junior.
We all remember how the White House had to run around cleaning up after Joe every time he got the messaging wrong on COVID vaccines and masking. But since then, their messaging problem has only gotten much, much worse.
I mentioned on Sunday the reckless and insane statements President Blundermouth made during his trip to Europe that left the White House busier than a one-armed paper-hanger. They would issue one “clarification” on a stupid Biden remark then, before they knew it, the old coot was making another stupid remark requiring another “clarification.”
Well, yesterday, Joe Biden landed his staff in it during a brief Q&A with reporters.
Here’s the backstory.
Last week as the President was preparing to leave for his European disaster, his deputy press secretary Chris Meagher, filling in for COVID Psaki, read the following statement at the start of Tuesday’s press briefing (yeah, it’s long, but read it all anyway — oh, and the bold emphasis is mine):
The President watched portions of Judge Jackson’s hearing yesterday and today and is proud of the way she is showcasing her extraordinary qualifications, her experience, and her even-handedness. Her dedication to following the facts, the law, and our Constitution as an independent judge is clear.
He was also moved by the grace and dignity she has shown, the deference to senators, and the level of detail she is offering, reinforcing the value of her experience, her intellect, and the strength of her character.
The President was particularly struck when, reacting to Senator Leahy raising the broad support she’d received from the law enforcement community, Judge Jackson spoke about her family members who have served as police officers, saying, “I know what it’s like to have loved ones who go off to protect and to serve, and the fear of not knowing whether or not they’re going to come home again because of crime in the community. Those are not abstract concepts or political slogans to me.”
As a former Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, President Biden also appreciated her respect for the intent of lawmakers and the text of the law. He appreciated Judge Jackson’s commitment to stay in the lane of judges prescribed by the Constitution and her highlighting the importance of precedent.
He was also struck by how she swiftly dismantled conspiracy theories put forward in bad faith. They’ve been debunked by numerous fact checks, experts, and the record itself.
Boy, old Joe sure had quite a bit to say about what he saw watching “portions” of Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearing, didn’t he?
And can you believe how thoughtful and articulate he was? Amazing!
On Wednesday, the other deputy press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre held an informal press briefing aboard Air Force One on the way to Europe where she reiterated the president’s thoughts and impressions after watching some of Jackson’s hearing.
Yeah. So, as we noted, the President did watch some of — some of the — did watch some of the portions of yesterday’s hearing with Judge Jackson.
And again, he couldn’t be more proud of her intellect, her grace, character, and the value of her experience. The country is seeing just how qualified Judge Jackson is and how she determines cases fairly based solely on the facts and the law, which is what the American people expect in a Supreme Court justice. That’s why she is endorsed by conservative judges, the Fraternal Order of Police, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, dozens of police chiefs, sheriffs, and 83 bipartisan former State Attorney Generals. Just today, 43 former federal prosecutors in Florida endorsed Judge Jackson.
So, like we said yesterday, the President was also impressed with how she dismantled bad-faith conspiracy theories and that have — that have been fact checked by major media outlets and experts, like some of you all here, and moderates in both parties are now dismissing them for the fringe smears that they are.
She thoughtfully and thoroughly answered questions from senators for nearly 12 hours, as you all know, demonstrating the temperament required for a Supreme Court justice and showing the strength of her intellect and character.
Why is it the only time Joe Biden is that articulate and intelligent is behind the scenes when none of us are watching?
Anyroad. Reporters aboard Air Force One then wanted to know if President Biden thought the Republican senators’ questions were as “inappropriate” and “racist” as the reporters thought.
But Jean-Pierre didn’t want to get herself out on that limb, so after sparring with one reporter over the question, she said:
We — I just told you he watched — he watched yesterday, and I just told you his reaction. We’re not going to go — we’re not going to break it down — break it down specific to details. I just laid out how he felt and why she was chosen and her bipartisan support that she’s getting.
Okay. So, to sum it all up, the messaging the White House wanted to convey is that President Biden watched portions of Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearings and he was so struck by her performance, for the first time in his entire life, he transformed into an articulate person capable of formulating complex sentences and astute observations.
Now, here’s where the message hit a bit of a snag.
Yesterday, after announcing his insane budget, Biden took some questions from reporters. And just as he was wrapping up, a reporter asked him if he had the chance to watch any of the confirmation hearings last week.
Here’s Biden’s terse response:
“I didn’t get a chance to see any of it, unfortunately.”
Well, ain’t that a kick in the head.
I’m shocked! Shocked, I tell you!
Here his comms team concocts this messaging about how impressed Biden was watching his nominee in action. They compose a lengthy, articulate, and completely unprecedented soliloquy from Biden. And in eleven words, the dumb old fart just crapped all over it.
You have to admit, it’s all manner of hilarious.
And we can laugh at this one, can’t we? Because unlike the messaging snafus from Joe’s reckless European trip, this messaging snafu is unlikely to cause World War Three.
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