Biden, 81, ‘continued use of cheat sheets in private fundraising has alarmed Democratic donors’: Wealthy backers say he even refers to notes when taking questions from the press
- The president regularly brings cards to public events
- He has used a teleprompter for closed-door comments
- Some donors grumble that he relies on cards even in question-and-answer sessions
President Joe Biden has long brandished notecards at the White House and in calls with world leaders, but now donors are throwing a flag at his use of the cheat sheets, even at private events behind closed doors.
Biden has already broken with the traditional expectation that donors who write big checks for his campaign are entitled to a more ready-made version of the president during closed-door fundraising events.
The president has repeatedly relied on a teleprompter in those circumstances, sometimes delivering versions of his public speeches in well-appointed homes, as he did this week during a fundraising drive through California. (Press cameras are usually not present, however).
These candid exchanges are one reason why donors fork out as much as $3,300 and flock to events to have a brief meeting with the president.
Some donors complain about the president’s use of note cards, even during question-and-answer sessions that the White House follows after the more staged remarks, where Biden allows a press pool to be present.
It has ‘raised concerns among some donors about Biden’s age’ Axios reported, leaving some donors “wondering whether Biden can withstand the rigors of a presidential campaign.”
In the cards: Biden has long relied on note cards during public events. He also uses them in fundraising activities behind closed doors, which frustrates donors
Past presidents have relied on notes, and Biden’s use of special note cards dates back to his time as vice president and senator, even appearing in a report from special counsel Robert Hur that described Biden as an “older man” who struggled had to remember the most important details. from his life.
Despite the grumbling, Biden might be laughing all the way to the bank: He ended the month with $130 million cash in campaign accounts, giving him a chance to try to defeat rival Donald Trump on television.
The components of Biden’s fundraising efforts often have the same message. Biden drives home in public, sometimes sprinkled with low-key jokes. Every now and then, Biden goes out of hand and makes news in the less formal setting.
“You know, we’ve made it clear from day one of our administration that we believe in science, which the other guy isn’t entirely sure exists,” Biden said Thursday at a fundraiser in Los Altos, drawing laughter. “But you know, think about how many people – how many chairs wouldn’t be empty at the kitchen tables today if he had dealt with the pandemic sooner.”
On message: Aides print detailed maps that Biden can consult when he goes before the cameras or leads meetings
Carded: The habit is not new to the 81-year-old president. He relied on cards as vice president and senator
In one embarrassing episode, Biden was caught showing a card to a reporter he was going to call, with instructions on how to pronounce her name and the gist of a question the White House expected him to ask.
On a roll: The White House has lined up impromptu engagements, like the one in Delaware Sunday, amid public polling raising concerns about Biden’s age
He joked at a big-ticket fundraiser in San Francisco, “After my election, I heard ‘Hail to the Chief’ playing, and I turned around and wondered, where the hell was he?”
Past presidents also relied on note cards. And first lady Jill Biden, 72, was also seen holding note cards on Friday.
The White House may have calculated that any grief Biden may receive for relying on notes could only be amplified by what he might say without them. When he went off script in recent weeks, Biden stepped in — mixing up Egypt and Mexico at one event, and repeatedly mixing up world leaders at others, even dropping foreign leaders who have died.