CNN’s Tapper picks apart Biden’s ‘Morning Joe’ interview

CNN’s Jake Tapper suggested that President Biden’s interview on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” earlier Monday did little to ease voters’ worries.

Biden called into “Morning Joe” to go on the offense against those who are calling on him to step down from the race. While the president maintained he was not dropping out and even dared others to challenge him at the Democratic National Convention, Tapper suggested it was not enough to quell the worries of Democratic voters.

Tapper played a clip from the MSNBC morning show on CNN’s “The Lead.”

“I’m getting frustrated by the elites in the party. ‘Oh, they know so much more,’” Biden said Monday.

Tapper then commented on the clip, saying Biden is “trying to frame what’s going on right now as the average voters who want him versus the elites of the Democratic Party donors and lawmakers and opinion makers.”

“The reality is that the Democratic elites are mostly late to acknowledge these age and ability issues compared to the rest of the public. The elites have been forced to reckon with it after the debate just 11 days ago,” Tapper said.

Tapper went on to directly quote Biden from the Monday morning interview before suggesting that Biden’s comments may not have been reassuring to his supporters.

“‘The fact of the matter is, how can you assure you’re going to be on — on, you know — on your way to go to, you know, work tomorrow? Age — age wasn’t, you know, the idea that I’m too old,’” Tapper said on “The Lead,” quoting Biden from Monday morning.

“Keep in mind, that sound bite is supposed to be reassuring to those Democratic supporters who have gone wobbly,” Tapper commented. “Many Democratic officials with whom I’ve spoken are worried that President Biden and his family and his inner circle appear to be in complete denial, not just about whatever might be wrong with him, but the state of his candidacy right now.”

Tapper, who co-moderated the first presidential debate between former President Trump and Biden last month, then called out Biden’s team for not hosting a press conference following the lackluster debate performance.

“After facing increasing pressure to demonstrate in public an ability to take questions and respond cogently for a lengthy period of time live about what he wants to do with the United States — his message, his plans, his policies — the President and his team have not held a press conference to demonstrate just that,” he said.

In the days following the debate, Biden and his team have tried to convince voters and Democrats — including lawmakers within the party — that he is still the best candidate to put forward. Numerous Democrats, including lawmakers, have called on him to step aside in the wake of the shaky debate showing.

He emphasized on “Morning Joe” that he was not dropping out.

“The bottom line here is we’re not going anywhere. I’m not going anywhere,” he said before addressing the show’s host. “I’m not letting up, Joe. I’m not letting up even a little bit.”

The Hill has reached out to the Biden campaign on Tapper’s comments.