...By Muyiwa Aderinto for TDPel Media.
President Biden’s Relying on Note Cards for Press Conferences
President Joe Biden has been relying on note cards for his press conferences since the start of his presidency.
This practice was recently highlighted when a photo of a note card with the text of a pre-screened question was revealed during a press conference in the Rose Garden.
This raised questions about how the White House determines which reporters will be called on and if they are given advance notice of the questions they will be asked.
Biden’s Use of Cheat Sheets
Biden referred to using “cheat sheets” during his first formal press conference in March 2021.
For that event, he had a printed list of reporters with photos and numbers indicating which reporters he intended to call on.
At other events, Biden has used note cards with information on topics such as U.S. infrastructure and possible talking points for ceremonies. These notes are prepared by his aides.
Biden’s Previous Gaffes
Biden has been criticized for his lack of media availability since taking office in January 2021.
He has made several gaffes, such as leaving confidential notes in full view of the media, and relying on note cards during his 36 years in the Senate.
He was also caught with notes during the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia in November 2022 and a meeting with wind-industry executives in June 2022.
Republican Lawmakers’ Concerns
The repeated exposure of Biden’s notes has sparked concerns about his well-being and health, and Republican lawmakers have suggested that Biden’s apparent decline makes him unfit to serve a second four-year term.
Commentary
Biden’s reliance on note cards during press conferences and other events has been a topic of discussion since the start of his presidency.
While the use of note cards is not uncommon for public figures, the repeated exposure of Biden’s notes has raised questions about his well-being and fitness for office.
