Biden town hall questioner worked as speechwriter in Obama administration: report

A participant in Thursday night’s ABC News town hall with Democratic nominee Joe Biden previously worked as a speechwriter in the Obama administration, but was only identified during the televised event as someone who works in “communications,” Fox News reported Friday.

The town hall from Philadelphia moderated by George Stephanopoulos included a question from Nathan Osburn, who reportedly worked in the Office of Public Affairs and was director of speechwriting for members of President Obama’s Cabinet.

The Twitter bio for a Nathan Osburn says he’s a former Cabinet speechwriter.

When reached for comment, an ABC spokesperson told The Hill that Stephanopoulos disclosed the mix of voters at the top of the program when speaking to Biden.

“They’re a group of — some are voting for you, some have said they’re voting for President Trump, some are still undecided, and we’re going to try to take questions from as many as we can tonight,” Stephanopoulos said.

When Osburn was selected to ask a question of Biden, his profession was only shown as “communications.” He was introduced by Stephanopoulos only as a “Philadelphia Democrat.”

Osburn’s question regarded President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett “being pushed through at the last minute” despite millions already voting and what Osburn argued was “the erosion of rights of LBGTQ Americans.”

“Our country’s first Supreme Court gave its first ruling just two blocks from here from 1791 to 1800 and it’s become more polarized since then. Merrick Garland didn’t get a hearing for all of 2016 and Amy Coney Barrett’s being pushed through at the last minute even though millions have already voted,” Osburn said.

“So what do you think about ideas from people like Pete Buttigieg and others to put in place safeguards that will help insure more long-term balance and stability? And what do you say to LBGTQ Americans and others who are very worried right now about erosions of their rights and our democracy as a whole?”

During his reply, Biden said he would let voters know what his stance was on expanding the Supreme Court before Election Day.

“Don’t voters have a right to know where you stand?” Stephanopoulos asked.

“They do have a right to know where I stand. And they will have a right to know where I stand before they vote,” Biden replied.

Updated at 2:43 p.m.