This Thursday saw President Joe Biden’s administration scrambling to correct an extremely dangerous mistake he had made just 24 hours earlier.
Biden was sitting behind a computer and read from a script Thursday.
“Well, let’s start with a few words on Russia and Ukraine,” he stated, looking down at the text. He said that he was clear with Putin. If any Russian unit is assembled and moves across the Ukrainian border it’s an invasion, then he has no doubt.
He said something totally different yesterday because he wasn’t following a script.
Biden spoke Wednesday during the second press conference under his presidency. He stated that Russia would have to be accountable for any invasion. It depends on how it behaves. If it is a small incursion, then that’s fine. But if the problem continues to escalate into a major one-sided battle over what to do next.
Although Biden might not have meant to allow Vladimir Putin to launch small, hit-and run attacks on his countrymen, Biden did tell Putin that NATO and the U.S. actions to “hold Russia responsible” may not be as strong for a minor incursion.
It isn’t deterrence, it is encouragement.
The remark triggered an immediate reaction around the world – especially in Ukraine.
The White House press conference on Thursday was attended by President Joe Biden, his staff and their administration. It involved a dangerous error that Biden made 24 hours before. (Above: Biden speaks at the White House Press Conference on January 19, 2022
Although Biden did not intend to grant Vladimir Putin permission to launch small, hit-and run attacks against him, he effectively informed Putin that U.S. actions to “hold Russia responsible” may not be as strong for a minor incursion. (Above) Biden and Putin meeting on June 16, 2021, in Geneva, Switzerland
Volodymyr Zilensky, President of Ukraine, posted that “We need to remind the great power”: “There are no small incursions or minor nations. The same way that there are few grievous losses and no minor casualties when someone is lost, so also with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This is what I am saying as President of a great country.
Putin has amassed more than 100,000 troops near the Ukrainian border – as he threatens to invade and seize territory that he didn’t take during Russia’s 2014 invasion of Crimea.
Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister, tried to assist with damage management as well. He stated that ‘any type of incursion on any scale would be a disaster for both Ukraine and Russia’.
However, this is not the exact statement that the President of America made when it was important.
Worse, Biden’s response at the press conference indicated that he had not been paying attention to intelligence briefings on Russia’s military.
“Minor incursions” is exactly what Russia did to Ukraine and Crimea during Obama’s presidency.
The ‘Little Green Men’ weren’t Martians. They were part of the first wave Russian military force, which crossed the Ukrainian border at Crimea without any insignias to suggest plausible deniability and began secret operations in February 2014.
Biden attempted to appear smart in spite of the fact that he had only recently recognized this fact.
“Remember their move into the Donbass?” [region of Ukraine]With the Little Green Men’ He reminded reporters.
Biden answered Wednesday’s question about his remarks on a “minor incursion” in an indication that White House journalists still believe actual news.
Putin has amassed more than 100,000 troops near the Ukrainian border – as he threatens to invade and seize territory that he didn’t take during Russia’s 2014 invasion of Crimea.
“Are you saying that an incursion of Russia in Ukraine territory wouldn’t result in the same sanctions as you threatened?” Is it possible that you are giving Putin permission for a very small intrusion to the country? a reporter asked.
‘Good question,’ Biden laughed. It did indeed sound that way, didn’t?
It was, indeed.
But then – nothing.
He said that it wasn’t a misstatement, or an incorrect interpretation. Another long, complicated and confusing answer was offered.
Subsequent follow-ups made it even worse, with Biden announcing to the world that, ‘there are differences in NATO as to what countries are willing to do depending on what happens — the degree to which they’re able to go…’
“The serious imposition” of sanctions, he said, “relatively to dollar transactions, and other things, are things that will have a positive impact on both the United States as well as the economies of Europe.
Biden was talking about warnings that were sent to Russia recently, in which the U.S. could respond by attacking the Russian banking sector’s capability to convert rubles into dollars.
Biden could be making Europe a victim of NATO’s weak or ineffective responses to Russia’s invaders. Biden can later claim that he desired to do more. But his European allies would not allow it.
Biden said that America might not be able to respond to any minor intrusion and that NATO members have divergent views on how Russia should be treated. He also stated that European countries fear the negative economic effects of new sanctions against Russia.
Biden did not mention the codes for nuclear launches.
Biden’s press conference on Wednesday afternoon, even when it came to grading the curve of a man aged 79 who had never been known for verbal discipline was very troubling.
We’ve watched him for decades, and we know the Biden before us is not as sharp, not as quick, not as energetic as the vice president and senator we remember.
The White House Press Secretary offered one of the signature “What the President meant to Say” press releases. It stated, “If any Russian military force moves across the Ukrainian frontier, that’s an invasion again and will be met by a rapid, severe and univocal response from the United States, our Allies.”
But Biden had many opportunities to say that – and he didn’t!
Later, Newsmax’s correspondent Rosen started a conversation. He said, ‘I would like to bring up a sensitive subject, but with full respect for your life achievements and the high office that you hold.’ A Poll released by Politico/Morning Consult this morning found that 49 percent disagreed with the assertion, “Joe Biden’s mentally fit.” That statement was not supported by even the majority of Democrats that responded.
Biden laughed, and then said: “Well, you can all judge if they’re right or not.”
Rosen didn’t stop there. He continued: “Why does so large a portion of American voters have such deep concerns about cognitive fitness?”
Biden gave a 4-word answer: ‘I don’t know.’
The president continued to ask the question.
Biden’s Wednesday press conference was troubling. It was a further indication that Biden is fundamentally out of sync with his duties as an office administrator.
Nearly half of American adults share that opinion, according to a new AP/NORC Center Poll. The poll found 47% doubt that Biden can be elected president. 46% are unsure if he’s healthy enough to perform his duties.
While it is not something that anyone likes to answer, being asked tough questions about one’s performance as president is part of what the job entails.
Biden is currently the Oval Office’s oldest serving man. Biden had two brain aneurysm surgeries in the 1980s.
He’s been around for many decades and isn’t as fast, sharp or as dynamic as his vice president and predecessors.
John Ellis analyzed in July how acceptable it would be for media to recognize Biden’s mental and age. He used the following euphemisms. Or, he has lost something from his fastball.
Unfortunately, Biden the president retained the worst habits of Biden the senator and vice president – a tendency to bluster and ramble, utterly oblivious to how he’s coming across and the consequences of what he’s saying, wildly stretching the truth in places and in other spots just outright lying.
Yesterday was just the second formal White House press conference of Biden’s presidency – and it’s easy to see why chief of staff Ron Klain and the rest of Biden’s team want him to avoid these, and rarely have him sit down for one-on-one interviews.
The President of the United States can’t speak before cameras for too long and not hurt himself or his agenda.
Biden’s failure to be mentally and verbally disciplined (or control) may have worse implications for the nation and the entire world.
Jim Geraghty, the Senior Political Correspondent at National Review, is also the author of five books including Hunting Four Horsemen.