President Joe Biden reviewed talking points during a press conference Monday where he took questions from reporters about the administration's views and plans for US engagement in Russia's war on Ukraine. The notes were titled "Tough Putin Q&A Talking Points."
This comes after the White House walked back remarks Biden made indicating that the US would be seeking regime change in Russia, would respond "in kind" were Russia to use chemical weapons, and that US troops would be stationed or deployed in Ukraine.
Biden was asked about these three statements, each of which the White House walked back. He said both that there was nothing to walk back, and that no one thought he was saying that the US would be seeking to overthrow Russian President Vladimir Putin but that he was speaking from his own emotional standpoint.
Among his notes was a statement that Biden was "not articulating a change in policy" when he stated that Putin should not be in charge of Russia. The press conference was about Biden's new budget proposal, though the vast majority of reporters' questions were about the confusing remarks Biden had made in Europe last week.
Biden had to have “I was not articulating a change in policy” written verbatim on a notecard so he wouldn’t screw it up… and he still screwed it up pic.twitter.com/OvEwlHQVry
— Jake Schneider (@jacobkschneider) March 28, 2022
"I want to make it clear I wasn't then, nor am I now, articulating a policy change. I was expressing moral outrage that I feel," Biden said, remarking that he makes "no apologies" for his personal feelings on the matter.
"It's more an aspiration than anything. He shouldn't be in power… people like this shouldn't be ruling countries, but they do. The fact is they do, but it doesn't mean I can’t express my outrage about it," Biden said.
The notes, labeled "Tough Putin Q&A Talking Points," appeared in a photo from the European Pressphoto Agency.
One of the notes said that Biden should clarify his comment about Putin comment and say, "I was expressing the moral outrage I felt toward the actions of this man."
"I was talking to the Russian people," Biden said of his remarks regarding a Putin ouster. "The last part of the speech was talking to the Russian people, telling them what we thought."
Biden often uses notes during press conferences, and also did so while campaigning. These have included notes on which reporters to call on, showing headshots and names, as he held during his first presidential press conference.
Join and support independent free thinkers!
We’re independent and can’t be cancelled. The establishment media is increasingly dedicated to divisive cancel culture, corporate wokeism, and political correctness, all while covering up corruption from the corridors of power. The need for fact-based journalism and thoughtful analysis has never been greater. When you support The Post Millennial, you support freedom of the press at a time when it's under direct attack. Join the ranks of independent, free thinkers by supporting us today for as little as $1.
Remind me next month
To find out what personal data we collect and how we use it, please visit our Privacy Policy
