Commentary
For some time, there’s been a drum beat among political pundits calling for President Biden to do one-on-one interviews with networks having opposing views, but it became louder since the debate.
Bret Baier, Executive Editor, and host of Special Report on Fox News Channel, has had his request in at the White House for more than a year. I would wager the editorial board of the Wall Street Journal has also asked for an interview.
So far, Biden has chosen to accommodate appearances with friendlies, like Howard Stern, Jimmy Kimmel, and Stephen Colbert.
But on Wednesday, when a different drumbeat was sounding, for Biden to drop out of the race, his handlers decided it was time for the boss to sit down with Mr. Softball – George Stephanopoulos – again. Apparently, it will take place on Friday and be aired on Sunday and Monday on ABC News.
When I heard about the selection of Stephanopoulos, thoughts of his serving as press secretary for Bill Clinton, and as advisor to Hillary Clinton, of course came to mind, but several recent events that also came to mind.
With the current situation over Biden’s future, there was Stephanopoulos’ clash with then presidential candidate Nikki Haley when she said, “There’s no way Joe Biden is gonna finish his term,” followed by her comment, Kamala Harris as the next president “should send a chill up every American spine.”
“Excuse me, excuse me,” Stephanopoulos fired back, “What is that based on?”
After weaving a story as she saw it developing, she concluded, “Republicans, Democrats and Independents feel that, and it’s time the media acknowledge that.”
Do you suppose he recalls that interview today?
There was his exclusive Stephanopoulos interview with Biden just two months after he took office in 2021, and another five months later when he attempted make excuses for his disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, saying that he knew of no way “to have gotten out without chaos ensuing.”
But the most recent memory of Stephanopoulos was included in my May 20, 2024 edition of this blog in my coverage of the Deep State, in which I was critical of the article he wrote for Vanity Fair stating, “The Deep State is packed with patriots.”
At least the president will not have to pull all-nighters with advisors in preparation.
May God continue to bless the United States of America.