Biden’s Aides Supplied Pre-Interview Questions for Radio Talks

TL/DR –

Radio interviewers asked President Biden questions that were provided in advance by his team, according to radio host Andrea Lawful-Sanders. She stated that Biden officials sent her a list of eight proposed questions before an interview, four of which she approved and used. In response, a Biden campaign spokesperson clarified that it was campaign aides who sent the questions and that the campaign does not condition interviews on the acceptance of these questions.

President Biden’s Team Provides Interview Questions in Advance

President Biden’s team provided questions in advance to the hosts for two radio interviews this week, according to one of the hosts who appeared on CNN Saturday morning. Andrea Lawful-Sanders, who hosts “The Source” on Philadelphia’s WURD, confirmed that Biden officials supplied her with eight questions prior to the Wednesday interview.

“The questions came to me for approval; I gave it,” Lawful-Sanders told Victor Blackwell, the CNN host of “First of All”. When questioned if the White House sent the questions in advance, she confirmed they did.

Interviews Not Conditioned on Acceptance of Questions

Biden campaign spokesperson, Lauren Hitt, clarified that campaign aides and not White House officials sent the list of questions. She added that while it’s common for the campaign to share preferred topics, they never condition interviews on the acceptance of these questions. “Hosts are always free to ask what they think will best inform their listeners,” Hitt said.

Lawful-Sanders asserted that she didn’t feel pressured to ask certain questions by the campaign. She selected questions relevant to Black and brown communities in Philadelphia.

Evidence of Rigors of Campaign

In an ABC News interview, the president cited the interviews with the Black radio hosts as evidence of his ability to handle the rigors of campaigning. However, despite knowing the questions in advance, the president struggled with some of his responses.

In his interview with Lawful-Sanders, Biden stumbled over his words. He made an erroneous comment stating that he was the “first Black woman” to serve with a Black president. His appearance on “The Earl Ingram Show” on WAUK in Waukesha, Wis, was also characterized by a confusing and halting response to a question.

Surprise Over Preapproved Questions

The revelation about the preapproved questions surprised Blackwell, who interviewed the two radio hosts. The identical questions asked by both hosts had sparked his curiosity about whether they were influenced by the Biden team.

Blackwell expressed his bewilderment at the approach, questioning how the White House planned to demonstrate the president’s vigor and acuity by pre-approving interview questions.

—
Read More US News