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WH Responds To Report
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WH Responds To Report

Hello everyone! Buckle up, because we're diving into a hot topic that's causing quite a stir in the political world. The Wall Street Journal recently published a report titled "Behind Closed Doors, Biden Shows Signs of Slipping," which has sparked a whirlwind of reactions and controversy. Let's break it down.

The report highlights several instances where President Biden, now 81, appeared to make gaffes and show low energy during various meetings with lawmakers and officials. These observations were based on dozens of interviews with both Republicans and Democrats who had either attended these meetings or been briefed on them. The White House, however, is not taking this lightly.

According to the Journal, the White House has been closely monitoring the interviews with Democratic lawmakers. After some offices shared recordings or details of these interviews, the White House encouraged lawmakers to call back and emphasize Biden's strengths. Representative Gregory Meeks, a Democrat from New York, candidly admitted to the Journal that the White House had prompted him to follow up. "They just, you know, said that I should give you a call back," Meeks said.

White House spokesman Andrew Bates defended these actions, stating, "We thought it was important that all perspectives be represented" to counter what he called "false and politically motivated claims." Bates also pointed out past statements by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who described Biden as "incredibly strong, forceful, and decisive" during a meeting on funding for Ukraine.

Despite these defenses, some attendees of the January meeting noted that Biden moved slowly around the Cabinet Room, relying heavily on notes and deferring to other lawmakers frequently. This led some to feel uncomfortable about his performance. Former Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy also weighed in, saying Biden is "not the same person" as when he served as vice president.

However, not all opinions were negative. Meeks insisted that Biden was the same person he'd known since joining Congress in 1998. Top Biden aide Gene Sperling and a National Security Council official defended the president's use of notes in policy meetings, emphasizing that this is standard practice for presidents.

The White House's response to the Wall Street Journal included a statement highlighting Biden's achievements. "Congressional Republicans, foreign leaders, and nonpartisan national-security experts have made clear in their own words that President Biden is a savvy and effective leader," the statement read. Bates also called out McCarthy for allegedly contradicting his past statements about Biden's sharpness in private meetings, labeling him a "proven liar."

This controversy over Biden's mental acuity has been a recurring theme, particularly as he seeks re-election. The issue gained additional attention following the release of Special Counsel Robert Hur's report in February, which claimed Biden had difficulty recalling key details from his time as vice president and the year his son Beau died.

As we approach the 2024 election, the debate over Biden's mental sharpness is likely to continue. The Wall Street Journal stands by its reporting, while the White House remains steadfast in its defense of the president's capabilities and accomplishments.

Folks, this is a story that's far from over. With political tensions high and the election season heating up, expect more twists and turns as both supporters and critics of President Biden continue to voice their perspectives. Stay tuned for more updates, and keep your eyes on the headlines!

Written by Arthur Higgens - June 6, 2024