Why doesn’t President Joe Biden give more press conferences?
I’m talking about real press conferences — you know, with a podium and reporters in seats asking detailed questions with follow-ups.
Since he has been president, Biden has done only one full-fledged press conference. He rarely sits down for big one-on-one interviews with a network bigwig such as Lester Holt or David Muir or Norah O’Donnell.
Why haven’t there been more?
White House press secretary Jen Psaki was asked that very good question by Brian Stelter on Sunday’s “Reliable Sources.” Her answer, however, was not quite as good.
Psaki seemed quite proud of herself when she unveiled this statistic: Biden spoke to the press 77 out his first 100 days as president.
“He takes questions several times a week,” Psaki said. “(He) is always, almost always, open to having that engagement with reporters. And I expect that will continue to be the case.”
That, however, is a deceptive answer. “Engagement” is not the same as a “press conference.” These times when Biden speaks to the press are usually at events where questions are shouted out and Biden gives short answers. They are nowhere close to a press conference. Psaki’s answer to Stelter seemed to suggest that Biden is available to the media, but that is not true. He has been seen, but not really available to answer questions in a substantive way.
It is true that Psaki is available most days, and gives full and detailed answers on behalf of the president.
But can’t we get more of the actual president?
Check out Stelter’s insightful interview with Psaki. It’s good insight into what it has been like for Psaki to be press secretary, starting with what it’s like to deal with outlets (Fox News and Newsmax, for instance) that often are at odds with the policies of this administration.
Psaki said, “My point of view, and more importantly, the president’s point of view, is that the story is not about me or a debate with news outlets. The story is about the plans of the administration and what we're trying to project to the American people. And when he pledged to govern for all Americans, that means talking to a range of outlets — liberal, conservative, people who have different areas of interest. So that’s exactly what I try to do every day in the briefing room.”
However, Psaki made sure to point out, “I also have a responsibility not to allow the briefing room to become a forum for propaganda or a forum for pushing forward falsehoods or inaccurate information.
That often, however, can lead to a butting of heads. Psaki, in fact, has been known to challenge reporters on the premises of their questions, or ask “which people?” when a reporter starts a question with, “Some people are saying …”
“Well, I’m a human being,” Psaki said, “so even though every day I try to be completely even-keeled and always my objective per the president’s direction is to treat people with respect and take questions and provide accurate information — that’s my goal every day — but I’m also a human. And sometimes when you’re answering the question — the same question a tenth time, or when a question — more likely, the things that get under my skin are when the premise of a question is based on inaccurate information, misleading information — that can be frustrating. I try not to show it too much, try not to let people see me sweat too much. But occasionally I have a moment of humanity.”
Despite occasional friction between Psaki and the press, there’s no question that current White House press conferences are much more civil, informative and respectful than the press conferences during the Trump administration when the likes of Sarah Sanders and, especially, Kayleigh McEnany clashed with the media.
“They’re going to ask tough questions,” Psaki said. “They’re going to push me where they want more information. They want me to give more information. That’s their job. My job is to provide as much information as I can — the president’s point of view, what our policies are — to the American public. Sometimes I can’t provide every single detail of what’s happening privately because it’s a private negotiation or a private discussion or there's a national security issue at play. You know, that’s a push and pull, but that’s a healthy push and pull, part of our democracy.”
It should be noted …
The White House press briefing room will return to 100% capacity today for the first time in 15 months when the pandemic forced social distancing. Journalists will still be tested daily, but only those who have not been vaccinated will be required to wear a mask.
Good pushback
