Much has been made of the photo that captured President Joe Biden’s cheat sheet captured by a savvy photographer at yesterday’s joint press conference in the Rose Garden with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.
You can read about it here.
One card showed a photo of Los Angeles Times reporter Courtney Subramanian with a likely script for “Question #1” of “Reporter Q&A.” Another sheet included names of administration officials and the order in which they would speak.
Critics have seized on the incident to question Biden’s mental acuity, just as critics criticized former President Donald Trump’s use of cheat sheets as well.
I don’t see a scandal here — although it may be embarrassing for the press and administration to reveal how scripted these events can be.
Reporters drop hints about potential questions. Reporters occasionally let press staff know what they want to ask as it increases their chances of being called on. It’s not unethical to give a heads up on topics — although this card was more specific than I recall seeing.
According to CNN, The Los Angeles Times says that Subramanian did not submit the question. So figure, she might have tossed out a likely topic, which is kosher.
When staff know about a topic before a briefing or press conference, that can increase the likelihood of getting a comprehensive answer as opposed to a brush-off response.
Others have questioned why Biden only took two questions — but that is standard fare for joint press conferences with world leaders. Two questions for White House press corps and two questions from the world leaders’s press corps.
The competition to get in a question is fierce in that atmosphere. And Courtney Subramanium asked a good question. Here’s what should disturb people.
— Biden clearly doesn’t know many members of the White House press corps, hence the need for photos. He can’t be expected to know everyone, but if he’s paying attention, he ought to be able to call on some reporters by name without a photo.
— Biden is avoiding press conferences. As this UC Santa Barbara chart notes, Biden has not held a single solo press conference this year, even as he announced he is running for re-election.
— Biden also tends to be tight-lipped during pool sprays, and South Lawn departures and arrivals.
Clearly White House staff figure that the less Biden is seen and heard, the better he will do when Americans vote in November 2024. Little has changed since 2020 when Biden largely campaigned from home, even though he now is the president of the United States.
Debra J. Saunders is a senior fellow at Discovery Institute’s Chapman Center for Citizen Leadership. Feel free to comment below.
I am torn. I often am embarrassed for him and the USA when he tries to go off script. Yet I feel strongly that a President must be accountable to the people (through the press) and frequently answer questions (truthfully). That said, I come down on the side of answering the Americans’ questions instead of hiding from them.
As you say, they are trying the same tactic that went so well the last time. My former congressman, Mike Thompson used to have meetings and coffee klatches where we could ALL ask him questions and he would respond. Since Covid that has become a zoom feature where you get to ask a 3rd party a question and maybe/maybe not get answered. Garamendi is now my congressional representative and have heard nothing from him. All covid did was put up a barrier between we the people and our elected officials and they hope we don't notice.