Hidin’ Biden
Dateline: March 4, 2021 The Swamp
As has been widely reported, yesterday the video feed of Biden’s remarks to the House Democratic Caucus was cut when he volunteered to take questions. The implication of the pulled plug is that the White House wants to silence the Prez who isn’t up to extemporaneous chatter.
Even more telling than seeing the video cut is the full context of the episode in the 55 seconds before the axe fell. One of the few places I could find on the Internet that is showing a video of Biden’s entire remarks is here.
There are several videos on that page. The one of interest is preceded by, “Here’s another angle of Biden’s virtual event when the White House cut the feed:”
As the video shows, Biden and Pelosi engaged in a 14 minute dialogue. He is shown in profile sitting at a desk looking up at a screen where Pelosi can be seen. For 13 minutes or so, the pair gush at each other and about their great accomplishments and future plans. The Caucus Members are presumably tuned in via the video feed.
Then, at 13:42 into the love fest, Biden states:
“And I’m happy to take questions if that’s what I’m supposed to do, Nance, whatever you want me to do.”
Pelosi appears surprised and a little embarrassed. She looks around in silent confusion. Plainly, questions were not part of the deal. A female voice, not Pelosi’s, is heard whispering hurriedly and the video is cut immediately.
Biden’s “if that’s what I’m supposed to do, Nance” comes across as pathetic. It’s not just the tone of his voice. He should have known in advance whether questions were in the offing. He is the only President in the last 15 to hold zero press conferences before this point in his term. Not a shocker. If he’s not allowed to fumble through in front of fellow Dems, no way the press will get near him.
Better to sound pathetic than demented.