President Joe Biden’s latest attempt to calm panicked House Democrats backfired Friday, as he showed up late to a Zoom meeting, skeptics were unable to ask questions, and a Zoom participant promptly turned on him.
The disaster came as Biden met with members of a progressive BOLD PAC with ties to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. He is leading in key constituencies while dozens of members of his own party are calling for him to resign.
The Zoom session came hours after Biden’s press conference, where he placated some Democrats by answering questions at length, with his future hanging in the balance. He also misnamed Kamala Harris, calling her “Vice President Trump.”
Biden arrived an hour late to an event that was “tightly controlled,” NOT US The bizarre session was covered in detail after reports that Biden’s Cabinet meetings are also highly scripted. (Biden again called from a prepared list of reporters during his press conference.
Levin, a California Democrat and grandson of Mexican immigrants, seized the opportunity to call on Biden to step back.
According to a transcript, Biden responded to the criticism, calling it legitimate.
“That’s — that was great when you were fine, Biden, are you fine now? That’s what’s underneath,” he said, according to the report.
President Joe Biden is trying to drum up support in Congress, where 19 members of his own party have called on him to distance himself from his campaign
“That’s something people worry about. ‘I have an 85-year-old grandfather who can’t walk.’ It’s a legitimate concern for people, but that’s why I think it’s important for me to go out there and show people everything from how well I move to how much I know and that I’m still in charge.”
Biden did not win over Levin. Within minutes of the call, the lawmaker brought a rack He said it was time for Biden to “pass the torch.” It was the 19th call from Congress Biden has received since his disastrous debate.
Biden said he allowed people to “touch him, poke him, ask him questions” as a way to reassure him.
“No president has done in three years what we’ve done in three years, except Franklin Roosevelt, because of your help. That’s not an exaggeration, that’s a fact. No president,” Biden said, CBS reported. This comes after he compared himself to Lyndon Johnson with a planned trip to Texas next week.
Biden, 81, attempted to raise the age issue during his press conference, and did so again at a restaurant and bar in Michigan, a key state on his narrowing path to victory.
“I know I’m only 41,” he joked, drawing laughter from a crowd that discussed the age issue most prevalent among poll respondents. Biden, who was elected to the Senate in 1972 and turned 30 shortly before taking office, opened up about his past.
“I was too young for a long time… And now I’m too old. Hopefully with a little age comes a little wisdom,” he said.
Rep. Mike Levin said it was time to ‘pass the torch’ shortly after his Zoom call with Biden and other lawmakers
“This state is competitive and no one can write it off,” Rep. Debbie Dingell of Michigan told reporters on the way to the event in her district.
His campaign also focuses on a new defense of his mistakes.
“Joe Biden has been making mistakes for 40 years. He made a few last night. He will probably continue to do so,” said campaign spokesman Michael Tyler.
“There have been blunders, yes, there have been blunders throughout his career,” said Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO.
Biden concluded his restaurant visit in an odd way: He wore a wireless microphone and walked among his supporters, who applauded many of his statements.
“I promise you I’m fine,” he said.