Patterico's Pontifications

7/4/2024

President Biden Does Damage Control

Filed under: General — Dana @ 2:47 pm



[guest post by Dana]

Since President Biden’s disastrous debate appearance, he has been slow to do damage control. The confusing message coming from the Biden campaign about the President’s health has not cleared up any doubts:

President Joe Biden was examined by his physician in the days following last week’s. . .debate, the White House tells CNN — despite the White House press secretary having said Wednesday that the president has had no medical exams since his February physical.

“Several days later, the president was seen to check on his cold and was recovering well,” White House spokesman Andrew Bates said.

On Wednesday, CNN had asked Karine Jean-Pierre. . . whether the president had received “any medical exams” since his February physical, and the press secretary had responded: “We were able to talk to his doctor about that and that is a no.”

A White House official adds when Biden was seen by his doctor after the debate, it was a “brief check,” not a “physical.”

The White House also claims that “Jean-Pierre said Biden had not had any medical exams since February because she was drawing a distinction between the president being checked out by his doctor and receiving a formal “physical”.

Oh.

More:

Jean-Pierre was asked by a reporter to clarify whether the president had been checked out by his doctor around the debate given that he had a cold.

“He was on the way to the debate, the doctor was with him, he had a cold, he’s 81. Does he not get checked out by the doctor?” the reporter asked.

“He did not get checked out by the doctor. It’s a cold, guys. It’s a cold.” she said. “I know that it affects everybody differently. We’ve all had colds, and so no, he was not checked out by the doctor.”

For his part, President Biden initially blamed his poor performance on a cold. After that it was an exhaustive travel schedule and jet lag, although he had been home for two weeks before the debate. Then followed the Biden team saying that the president had been over-prepped for the debate and just had “too many facts crammed in his head”. And at yesterday’s meeting with Democratic governors, President Biden told them that he needed more sleep and would stop scheduling events after 8 PM. He also told the governors that after his lackluster debate performance he had undergone a medical exam. He told them that he continues to be healthy.

When asked why the president didn’t begin damage control immediately after the debate, an unsatisfactory answer was provided by his spokesperson:

Jean-Pierre later added that Biden did not do more damage control on his debate performance immediately afterward because he was traveling in North Carolina, New York and New Jersey before returning late Saturday night to Camp David.

The report reminds readers that “Air Force One is equipped with extensive communications equipment so that presidents can stay informed while midair.”

What a mess. It’s now 123 days until the election. The last thing a sitting President running for re-election wants at this point is for a Democrat-friendly media and fellow Democrats calling on him to step down. Unfortunately, it is very clear that the call for Biden to step down is growing louder.

On a side note, I will give the Biden team props for a smart campaign video:

—Dana

59 Responses to “President Biden Does Damage Control”

  1. Hello.

    Dana (983c06)

  2. Title?

    Kevin M (a9545f)

  3. Winner of this year’s Ron Ziegler Memorial Award for Baldfaced Lie is Karine Jean-Pierre.

    Kevin M (a9545f)

  4. The previous 7 years’ record champ, Donald Trump, wisely avoided comment.

    Kevin M (a9545f)

  5. If airline ads were like political ads, they’d be showing each others air crashes every commercial.

    Kevin M (a9545f)

  6. If airline ads were like political ads, they’d be showing each others air crashes every commercial.

    Kevin M (a9545f) — 7/4/2024 @ 3:12 pm

    Fortunately, US airlines have an impeccable safety record. The last fatal accident involving a major US carrier was in 2001.

    Rip Murdock (bf8ea8)

  7. Fortunately, US airlines have an impeccable safety record. The last fatal accident involving a major US carrier was in 2001.

    So, like Trump talking about how everything is the worst ever now but 4 years ago it was the best ever. I wonder what was going on 4 years ago?

    Colonel Klink (ret) (96f56a)

  8. You know the funny part? The Left carries on about DJT being a dictator.

    They also said that about Mitt Romney.

    Heck, Truman said that about Republicans.

    Me, I want them both to step down and not being worthy of running for President. I think that the primary process for both candidates was nutty, and designed to support a single candidate.

    Ugh.

    But it cannot be fun to get tied up in lies on a daily basis, as these cheerleaders on both sides are…

    Simon Jester (c8876d)

  9. So, like Trump talking about how everything is the worst ever now but 4 years ago it was the best ever. I wonder what was going on 4 years ago?

    Colonel Klink (ret) (96f56a) — 7/4/2024 @ 4:53 pm

    Trump did take credit (without providing any evidence) for 2017 being the safest year on record for commercial aviation, with no fatalities worldwide.

    Rip Murdock (bf8ea8)

  10. Simon Jester (c8876d) — 7/4/2024 @ 5:00 pm

    Do have a link to the quote about Romney? It should be hilarious, given his meek personality.

    Rip Murdock (bf8ea8)

  11. The last fatal accident involving a major US carrier was in 2001.

    Then they’d talk about passengers choking to death or something. Or doors falling off.

    Kevin M (a9545f)

  12. Do have a link to the quote about Romney? It should be hilarious, given his meek personality.

    Well, there’s the well-reported speech BIDEN gave to the NAACP, saying that Romney “wanted to put them back in chains.” That’s pretty bad.

    Kevin M (a9545f)

  13. Or the Obama ad about how Romney personally killed someone’s wife or mother by cutting off her medical (by closing the company she worked for several year’s earlier). I may have the details wrong, but it’s not far off.

    Kevin M (a9545f)

  14. Kevin M (a9545f) — 7/4/2024 @ 5:33 pm

    Apparently Romney doesn’t hold a grudge, since he’s on the record as saying that Biden is “genuinely a good man” and that the investigation into the Biden Crime Family™️ is “not the legitimate role of government”.

    Rip Murdock (bf8ea8)

  15. The point is that, in an effort to get out from under, the shrillness of the J6 message is increasing. Anyone who isn’t aware of everything about J6 is either 1) down with Trump, 2) voting for Biden, or 3) dead.

    Turning up the volume doesn’t help Biden, it just makes him look more desperate. It will lose him votes. Oh, they won’t vote for Trump, they just won’t vote or they’ll hope for a better choice that offers a path forward.

    Kevin M (a9545f)

  16. the investigation into the Biden Crime Family™ is “not the legitimate role of government”.

    Because it isn’t. I’ll point out that all the “Lock her up” rhetoric died the day after the 2016 election. I expect the same again.

    Kevin M (a9545f)

  17. Hi Kevin:

    “Well, there’s the well-reported speech BIDEN gave to the NAACP, saying that Romney “wanted to put them back in chains.” That’s pretty bad.”

    Oh, it is so patronized. Here it is again:

    https://youtu.be/5gII8D-lzbA?si=Qh-j5wSwxAxRgsQT

    The “y’all” thing really grates.

    So many grifters in politics.

    Simon Jester (c8876d)

  18. “And at yesterday’s meeting with Democratic governors, President Biden told them that he needed more sleep and would stop scheduling events after 8 PM.”

    State Department Reaches Out To Enemy Nations Requesting They Only Attack Between 10:00 AM And 4:00 PM EST

    lloyd (0501a7)

  19. Just a reminder from 1988 about the quality of this man. I have always cringed at the “good old Joey B” nonsense. This fellow has always been a self aggrandizing liar.

    https://youtu.be/D1j0FS0Z6ho?si=2Y973Sz-PNmBkuTN

    You can just count the lies, and they all derived from an attempt to sound smarter and better than he is…

    I am sympathetic to his age and infirmity, and hope he can just sit at home, take naps whenever he likes, and not be chivvied around by party flacks.

    But what an awful person.

    Simon Jester (c8876d)

  20. I’ll point out that all the “Lock her up” rhetoric died the day after the 2016 election.

    LOL! Trump now denies ever saying that during the 2016 campaign. But of course he did, and he continued after 2016.

    Flashback October 2020:

    The president delivered remarks intended to focus on protecting seniors during an event in Florida, but it quickly devolved into a political rally. Trump at one point meandered into attacking his 2016 rival, who is a recurring figure in his speeches even four years later.
    The mention of Clinton’s name prompted calls of “lock her up” from the crowd.

    “Yeah. I agree with you. I used to just be quiet on that. I agree with you 100 percent,” Trump said, endorsing calls to jail his political opponent.

    Rip Murdock (bf8ea8)

  21. On any given day, I can expect to see a post about how Biden is a serial child-rapist, or how Trump will give Fort Knox to Putin. If only we could talk about principles instead of personalities.

    Kevin M (a9545f)

  22. Me, I want them both to step down and not being worthy of running for President. I think that the primary process for both candidates was nutty

    I wholeheartedly agree with this but it’s too late now. Both men believe themselves to be God’s answer to all of man’s woes at this moment in time. Their egos couldn’t handle the mere thought that they weren’t the chosen one*. But with that, only one is a convicted felon and an out of control narcissist who, at the very least, fomented a riot at the Capitol because he could not and cannot accept defeat.

    Dana (ce9372)

  23. I wonder what fun could be had if “Trump” and “Biden” went into the nanny filter for a day.

    Kevin M (a9545f)

  24. Imagine instead a Whitmer vs Haley contest. It’s easy if you try.

    Kevin M (a9545f)

  25. Imagine instead a Whitmer vs Haley contest. It’s easy if you try.

    Kevin M (a9545f) — 7/4/2024 @ 7:24 pm

    No it’s not. One was never a candidate and the other couldn’t decide what kind of candidate she was.

    Rip Murdock (bf8ea8)

  26. No it’s not. One was never a candidate and the other couldn’t decide what kind of candidate she was.

    Well, if Biden had the decency to bow out in 2022 when his body started failing, she would have been.

    This is really what tears if for me.

    It’s not that he’s infirm and unfit, it’s that he scammed everyone into believing he was just fine when he knew better. THIS IS ALL HIS FAULT, and his family’s and his handlers’ and then in increasing numbers the party and the mainstream press.

    It’s not the infirmity that shocks me, it the enormity of the fraud he was perpetrating on the American people, and the complicity of those that owed us better service.

    This could easily be called “unlawfully influencing an election” in some states.

    Kevin M (a9545f)

  27. It’s not the infirmity that shocks me, it the enormity of the fraud he was perpetrating on the American people, and the complicity of those that owed us better service.

    To whom are you referring?

    Colonel Klink (ret) (96f56a)

  28. It’s not the infirmity that shocks me, it the enormity of the fraud he was perpetrating on the American people, and the complicity of those that owed us better service.

    The congressmen, governors, ambassadors, etc, who had contact with Biden during the last year, and to the press which had heard from these people, but were not reporting because they didn’t want to help Trump.

    A conspiracy of silence is still a conspiracy.

    Kevin M (a9545f)

  29. Do you think Biden thought everything was all right? Just a touch of the flu? Or was his need for power, his ego, his ambition, or just the belief that only he could beat Donald Trump. Because he should have stepped down a year ago and he should never have tried to defraud the public like this.

    Kevin M (a9545f)

  30. William shirer in his book on the third reich wrote about the failure of the german establishment to stop hitler because of their in fighting. In the end he cared more then they.

    asset (4b2fca)

  31. Kevin Williamson is spot on today.

    If Harris could admit to herself the reality of her political position—she isn’t going to be elected president in the foreseeable future and currently is pointed like a rocket at a career-and-reputation-ending disaster—then she would appreciate that she is in a terrific position nonetheless. She ought to be the happiest person in Washington because she has two things in her pocket: the capacity to drive Joe Biden off the ticket, and the opportunity to benefit from this mightily.

    You can imagine the press conference: “It has been my honor to serve with such a great and honorable man as Joe Biden, but I can no longer ignore his rapid decline in recent months, and the country cannot afford to risk …” blah, blah, blah. And, then: “I am honored that so many people in my party—people at the highest level—encouraged me to seek the presidency on my own, in part because of what that would mean to women and people of color. But I have decided that I can best serve my country by …”

    Fill in the blank. There’s a gubernatorial election in California in 2026, and Gavin Newsom could do a great deal to clear the way for Harris if she wanted to be the Democratic nominee, which would all but ensure her election. She might even be good at the job—better than she was at being vice president, anyway. Maybe she’d like a prestigious professorship or the presidency of a university and a couple of Silicon Valley board sinecures; I suspect that the necessary vacancies could be arranged. Janet Napolitano was president of the University of California, which is not a bad gold watch for someone who topped out as a Cabinet member in Washington. The current UC system president earns a million bucks a year. Harris would probably get an eight-figure book deal, a cable-news contract if she wanted one—anything … except the presidency.

    If Harris clears the way for a more competitive Democrat, she’ll win her party’s thanks; if she clears the way for a Democrat who wins, they’ll try to put her on Mount Rushmore.

    Kevin M (a9545f)

  32. To those who harp on the campaign finance rules: There’s always a willing judge.

    Kevin M (a9545f)

  33. Kevin M (a9545f) — 7/5/2024 @ 7:01 am

    Yeah, I’m sure Harris is going to take advice from Kevin Williamson. She’s on the cusp of becoming President of the United States. Why would she give that up?

    Rip Murdock (bf8ea8)

  34. She’s on the cusp of becoming President of the United States. Why would she give that up?

    She’s on the cusp of being George McGovern.

    Kevin M (a9545f)

  35. To those who harp on the campaign finance rules: There’s always a willing judge.

    Kevin M (a9545f) — 7/5/2024 @ 7:01 am

    The last refuge of those that don’t like a law-there’s a judge out there somewher who agrees with me-when there aren’t any facts to back up their arguments.

    And you can bet the Republican National Committee and the Trump campaign will fight vigorously to see that the campaign laws are enforced.

    Rip Murdock (bf8ea8)

  36. She’s on the cusp of becoming President of the United States. Why would she give that up?

    She’s on the cusp of being George McGovern.

    Kevin M (a9545f) — 7/5/2024 @ 7:24 am

    I expect her to become President before the election when Biden is forced to resign.

    Rip Murdock (bf8ea8)

  37. Williamson wasn’t suggesting that she resign, just that she take herself out of the running as the replacement candidate. Unless I misread, he was actually suggesting that she man up and do the push herself while bowing out of the race.

    Kevin M (a9545f)

  38. Williamson wasn’t suggesting that she resign, just that she take herself out of the running as the replacement candidate. Unless I misread, he was actually suggesting that she man up and do the push herself while bowing out of the race.

    Kevin M (a9545f) — 7/5/2024 @ 7:34 am

    You apparently missed my point. I never suggested she should resign, on the contrary, why should she when she’s on cusp of becoming President when Biden resigns the Presidency before the election. She then would running as the acting President.

    Rip Murdock (bf8ea8)

  39. And again, why should Harris take political advice from Kevin Williamson? It’s all a political fantasy to believe she would refuse the nomination if Biden withdraws from the campaign.

    Rip Murdock (bf8ea8)

  40. Who is answering the call at 2am?

    NJRob (00e7c4)

  41. It would certainly concede the votes of blacks and young people to Trump; but maybe that’s what Williamson has in mind.

    Rip Murdock (bf8ea8)

  42. If only we could talk about principles instead of personalities.

    Kevin M (a9545f) — 7/4/2024 @ 6:55 pm

    LOL! Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

    Rip Murdock (bf8ea8)

  43. almost completely overlooked: Biden has sleep apnea, It’s in his medical report from February, but Biden never mentions it.

    Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e)

  44. And again, why should Harris take political advice from Kevin Williamson?

    It’s better than anything she’s thinking.

    Kevin M (a9545f)

  45. Biden will be/was interviewed by George Stephanopoulos of ABC News today (this morning) It’s a recorded interview, not live or close to live.

    Broadcast has been made into a special and moved up to 8 pm tonight

    Maybe because ABC is a little afraid Biden may quit by Sunday morning? T They are all anticipating that.

    Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09)

  46. Biden will be/was interviewed by George Stephanopoulos of ABC News today (it was scheduled for this morning) It’s a recorded interview, not live or close to live.

    Broadcast has been made into a special and moved up to 8 pm tonight

    Maybe because ABC is a little afraid Biden may quit the race by Sunday morning? The news media are all anticipating that, and they figure that if it happens, it will happen very suddenly.

    I don’t think it’s about to happen but people who want it to happen are telling them it will or can happen.

    Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09)

  47. The person writing Biden’s remarks is long time aide Mike Donilon.

    The circle around Biden has shrunk – some White House staffers are apparently frozen out, and some routine things aren’t being done. Biden’s offficial Twitter [X] banner wasn’t updated until the New York Post called about it in the middle of the day yesterday. It was still touting Pride month (whose last day was Sunday) and didn’t yet mention the 4th of July.

    There is a person close to Jill Biden (whom she has called her “work husband”) who is influential. His name is Anthony Bernal and he’s being compared by some people (in the White House) to Rasputin. I suppose because of his influence over the wife of the person in charge, allegations of sexual improprieties, and bullying, and close to the son of the person in charge. He’s involved Hunter in (at least the political meetings?)

    Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09)

  48. I was wrong the other day when I said that Kingmaker James Clyburn has said nothing. He was on CNN on Sunday, June 30. He has also said tat if it is not Biden he is for Kamala Harris. I suppose what it was is that his office issued no formal statement.

    Also, Hakeem Jeffries is, of course, the House Minority Leader.

    Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09)

  49. https://bcoh.com/sleep-apnea/sleep-apnea-linked-with-brain-damage

    But it might be somewhat reversible (or temporary in the first place)

    Untreated sleep apnea has been linked to a range of health risks, most notably brain damage.

    As reviewed above, sleep apnea is a common condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, leading to a poor night’s sleep and a lack of oxygen to the brain.

    And Biden has sleep apnea, which most common method of treatment, a CPAP machine is uncomfortable, and Biden has also said now that he does not get enough sleep – despite waking up during his week of debate preparation at 11 am – at least at first- and taking an late afternoon nap

    This can cause a variety of health problems, including memory loss, cognitive impairment, depression, and heart disease.

    New research has shown that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can lead to brain damage that is reversible if treated early.

    The Journal Sleep reports that even mild to moderate sleep apnea can cause damage to gray matter in the brain, and severe apnea can lead to even more significant damage.

    During sleep apnea, the brain takes in less oxygen, which can cause brain cells to die.

    This can lead to further damage to the brain’s structure and function.
    The longer the condition goes untreated, the more damage sleep apnea can cause. This is why it is crucial to get help as soon as possible.

    Recent studies have shown that sleep apnea impacts the production of brain chemicals, which can lead to changes in mood and memory. It has also been linked to the development of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

    Sleep apnea treatment usually involves using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, which helps keep the airway open during sleep.
    This can reduce the risk of further brain damage and help improve cognitive function in those with sleep apnea.
    In conclusion, if you are experiencing sleep apnea, it is essential to seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent brain damage. This condition can lead to significant health risks, but with the right treatment, it is possible to reverse the damage caused by sleep apnea and improve your overall health and well-being.

    5. Understanding the American Academy of Sleep Medicine’s Recommendations on Sleep Apnea

    The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has issued recommendations regarding the diagnosis, treatment, and management of sleep apnea.
    Recent research has linked sleep apnea to brain damage, particularly in areas of the brain responsible for memory and executive function. However, the good news is that this brain damage appears to be reversible with treatment.
    Many factors may contribute to sleep apnea, including obesity, alcohol consumption, and sleeping on one’s back.
    There are various treatment opportunities available for this condition, which include altering one’s lifestyle by adopting healthy habits, like shedding some weight and sleeping to one side in particular.
    Additionally, employing continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) apparatus can be helpful in keeping the respiratory tract open while asleep.

    It is important to address sleep apnea promptly, as prolonged periods of interrupted breathing deprives the brain of oxygen and can cause lasting damage.

    While more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between sleep apnea and brain damage, evidence suggests that treatment can help reduce the risk of cognitive decline and other health complications related to this condition….

    Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09)

  50. https://www.npr.org/2023/06/28/1184901887/bidens-sleep-apnea-has-led-him-to-use-a-cpap-machine-at-night

    ,,,The White House disclosed the use of the machine after reporters noticed on Wednesday that Biden appeared to have marks on his face from straps used to hold an air pressure mask in place. CPAP stands for “continuous positive airway pressure.”

    But he didn’t use it before, becsuse they just noticed the marks. Note they say he used it “last night”

    “He used a CPAP machine last night, which is common for people with that history,” White House spokesman Andrew Bates said in a statement.

    Biden’s sleep apnea was disclosed in a 2008 medical report, after then Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama selected him as his running mate. Biden’s 2019 medical report also mentioned sleep apnea, though his White House medical reports while in office have not.

    I thought it was mentioned in February, 2024.

    There are alternatives to the CPAP machine that people are more likely to use.

    Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09)

  51. https://www.newsweek.com/joe-bidens-reported-plan-sleep-more-work-less-sparks-firestorm-1921306

    The [New York] Times also reported that Biden was asked about the status of his health by Hawaii Governor Josh Green, who is a physician. The president reportedly responded that he was fine, “It’s just my brain.” Biden’s campaign chair, Jen O’Malley Dillon, told the Times in a statement that the president was “clearly making a joke.”

    Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09)

  52. Q: If Biden caused a doctor to file a false health report in New York, in furtherance of concealing vital information from the voters, is he guilty of a felony?

    A: Bragg will be right on it!

    Kevin M (a9545f)

  53. @40 biden’s staff and military advisers better then bone spurs.

    asset (a82953)

  54. So, if Biden stays in the race, does he dump Harris? Electing him is electing President Harris at some point. Maybe he needs someone else.

    Kevin M (a9545f)

  55. What Biden did, 40 to 50 years ago, according to Jill Biden’s ex-husband, was, that some time after his wife died in the crash, court his wife. They had met in 1969 when he was 21 and she was 18. Both couples knew each other.

    So one day he hears that the car he gave his wife was in accident. He was told his wife was driving. He went to the (auto repair place?) and they told him,no, Senator Biden was driving,

    Later he was 8 days late in filing and paying his taxes ($8,000 worth) and he was arrested – he blames Joe Biden. And the divorce had beeen amicable.

    This is said to be in Greg Kely interview (a6 min long) on wabcradio.com

    Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e)

  56. So, if Biden stays in the race, does he dump Harris? Electing him is electing President Harris at some point. Maybe he needs someone else.

    Kevin M (a9545f) — 7/5/2024 @ 3:07 pm

    LOL! How would that resolve Biden’n age-related issues?

    Rip Murdock (19ce52)

  57. Also, Hakeem Jeffries is, of course, the House Minority Leader.

    Sammy Finkelman (e4ef09) — 7/5/2024 @ 10:30 am

    LOL! Not in this House; Mike Johnson wouldn’t be Speaker without the Democrats.

    You had it right the first time.

    Rip Murdock (19ce52)

  58. LOL! How would that resolve Biden’n age-related issues?

    Well, he at least would not be succeeded by a chowderhead leftist.

    Kevin M (a9545f)

  59. “A really bad cold”

    Kevin M (a9545f)


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