White House downplays concerns over Biden’s age following reelection campaign announcement
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre downplayed concerns surrounding President Joe Biden’s age as he announced his reelection campaign Monday.
Jean Pierre acknowledged that the White House “understands” recent polls that show most Americans have little enthusiasm for another Biden run.
“When it comes to age, it’s the same thing that we heard in 2020, right? We heard that over and over in 2020 and if you look at what the president has done these last two years — he’s been able to deliver and get things done, right? Where Republicans … are trying to pull us back not move us forward,” Jean-Pierre said.
The press secretary then detailed Biden’s legislative accomplishments as proof of him being fit to run.
“As it relates to the polls again, mindful of the 2024 election, and we understand what the polls are saying. I will say this, in 2022 — let’s not forget — more Americans voted for this president than any other president in history and let’s not forget in 2022 the midterm elections, against all odds … this president had one of the most successful midterm elections for a Democratic president in 60 years.”
Jean-Pierre initially declined to answer the large majority of questions on Biden’s reelection, citing the Hatch Act, including whether or not Biden will commit to serving all eight years should he win reelection. (The Hatch Act is a 1939 law that aims to keep government functions nonpartisan and prevent certain federal employees from having an impact on elections. )
She later clarified in a tweet: “As you know, we take following the law seriously. So I wanted to be sure that I didn’t go into 2024 more than is appropriate under the law. But I can confirm that if re-elected, @POTUS would serve all 8 years.”
View the tweet, below:
