Concern over President Biden’s lack of press accessibility mounted Wednesday evening, after the commander-in-chief told reporters he was “happy to take questions” before having his microphone and camera feed cut off.
The incident occurred at the end of the 46th president’s appearance at a House Democratic Caucus event, where he was joined virtually by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and her members.
Biden stated after delivering his prepared remarks, which lasted for just under 10 minutes, “So I want to thank you all. I really mean it … I want to thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
“And I’m happy to take questions if that’s what you — I’m supposed to do, Nance,” he continued. “Whatever you want me to do.”
But before reporters could get their chance to speak to the president, the feed turned off and a screen appeared that read, “Thank you for joining.”
Biden has gone longer than his 15 most recent predecessors — going back 100 years — without holding a solo press conference.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Friday said that President Biden hasn’t held a single solo press conference during his first 45 days in office because he’s busy with “historic crises” linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Psaki fended off a reporter’s questions about why Biden has not held an early-term question-and-answer forum — in a break from his recent predecessors — by pointing to Biden’s occasional one or two-question exchanges with reporters.
“He’s answered questions. I believe that count is almost 40 times. And I would say that his focus, again, is on getting recovery and relief to the American people and he looks forward to continuing to engage with all of you and to members of the — other members of the media who aren’t here today, and we’ll look forward to letting you know as soon as the press conference is set,” Psaki said at her daily press briefing.
great excuse..by the numbers
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