Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) said Wednesday that the White House has “clearly fumbled” in its response to the fallout from President Biden’s shaky debate performance, as a growing number of Democrats express concerns about the ability of his nominee to serve another term.
“[The White House] clearly fumbled this, and I think we have to be honest about that,” Porter said Wednesday on CNN. “I think there are so many, for me, so many questions about President Biden’s advisors, both those who prepared the debate and those who continue to advise him, as there are for me about President Biden himself, because, of course, we all want our president is surrounded by people who will help him win.
“And I think what we’ve seen over the last week or the last six days is probably not the course correction that we need,” she added.
The California lawmaker is the latest in her party to express frustrations about the Biden White House, re-election campaign and allies, who they say are not taking concerns seriously after the debate.
Biden’s lackluster performance in the first presidential debate against former President Trump last week sparked a wave of concerns from Democrats about his ability to defeat his Republican rival and effectively lead the nation or the next four years.
CNN anchor Jake Tapper also asked Porter what decisions the White House made in its response that she agrees with, noting how Biden didn’t do something like a “two-hour press conference” to reassure supporters.
“Well, I guess we don’t know the answer to that, Jake,” Porter said. “So what I think the problem is: From what we know, the president is fully capable of doing these things. It’s a good idea, they’re telling him it’s not a good idea, but I think the most important thing is that he needs to get there and earn the trust of the American people.”
When pressed again by Tapper whether he would be able to hold an hour-and-a-half press conference, Porter avoided the question.
“Like most Americans, I don’t actually have that information,” she said, adding that she hasn’t seen the president in person for about a year, when he “successfully” deflected a speech.
“So I think I’m situated, and most Democratic leaders are situated in the same way as the American people, which is, ‘give us that assurance, give us that confidence,’” she added. “And to do that, this campaign will have to be — this White House will have to be much less insular than it has been.”
Porter suggested a change in direction could include a change in advisers or a change in campaign strategy.
Following calls to withdraw from the 2024 race, Biden, alongside Vice President Harris, joined a call with his re-election campaign team on Wednesday, during which he emphasized that he will remain at the top of the ticket.
Porter’s arguments echo those of some party members who argued this week that aides mismanaged Biden in a range of areas, from communications to events to the president’s public and personal interactions. They told The Hill that aides seeking to control the narrative around Biden shielded him from big moments, including interviews and impromptu interactions.
The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.
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