US President Joe Biden has given few interviews. A little bit. In the first half of his term he gave 54. For comparison: his predecessor Donald Trump gave 202, Barack Obama before that 275. Presidents usually like to appear on television, especially during their re-election times. If not Biden — and if you look at his interviews, you’ll understand why.
Two weeks ago, Biden sat down at the table with a journalist from the left-wing television channel MSNBC. The boss was hard to beat and hard to follow. But things got really awkward when, during the interview, Biden got up, thanked him, and walked away from the table. I mistakenly thought the conversation was over.
About the author
Maral Naushad Sharifi He is the US correspondent for De Volkskrant. She lives in New York.
Biden has become almost synonymous with uncomfortable television. Even his biggest fans hold their breath during TV appearances. If he is indeed bad with his words on a politically minded channel, what about when he confronts his enemies? Democrats quietly fear that he will not survive the live televised debates next election year.
The messiah
Meanwhile, the US media is increasingly speculating whether a Democratic alternative to Biden is not possible after all. Masih can rid the party of its old, unpopular standard bearer. The party itself doesn’t want to know about this publicly, it wouldn’t be fair to the incumbent president, but voters crave something different according to each poll. Without their support, the party cannot win the elections.
Half of Democrats and 70% of Americans don’t want Joe Biden to be president again. This leaves the door open for a Democrat to run as a two-twelfth candidate. The name that keeps popping up in the press is that of 55-year-old California Governor Gavin Newsom.
The question is not if he wants to be president, but when hill. Actor and former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says ‘no brainer’ Watchman. He commented in an op-ed last week: “Newsom is clearly positioning himself as a replacement for the 80-year-old commander-in-chief.” Washington Times to read.
shadow drive
The progressive Newsom, who served as mayor of San Francisco for many years, has already endorsed Biden’s candidacy. And he constantly says that he will not hinder the president. Or is he running a shadow campaign in the background? It seems.
The California governor has been an integral part of the national media in recent weeks. He goes to the country and speaks to voters in conservative states. He has given interviews on all major news channels. Even on the right-wing Fox News channel. Newsom sat there face-to-face with notorious TV interviewer Sean Hannity. He spoke well, and his facts were true. Newsom remained calm when he was attacked. And he didn’t accidentally wake up in the middle of the road.
Much better than Joe Biden, Newsom knows how to stand up for Joe Biden’s policies time and time again. She is even respected by some Republicans. Hannity also hints at the Democratic nomination in the interview. Newsom is a local governor who is tempted by a national presidential candidate.
Not hard no
Hannity said, “If I check your phone now, will I see messages every day from people saying you should run for president?” Newsom says he’s received letters full of praise for Joe Biden. But it is not difficult.
Then Hannity shows all kinds of footage of Joe Biden making mistakes unbecoming of a president. Newsom still stands behind the president. He says, “I see what you’re doing.” “You won’t get my answer.” The question is for how long.
