“Well, we had an election yesterday, “said President Joe Biden his afternoon from the White House. “It was a good day I think for democracy, and I think it was a good day for America,” the self-admittedly horse but upbeat Commander-in-chief added.
“While any seat lost is painful, some good Democrats didn’t win last night, Democrats had a strong night,” Biden went on to say in remarks carried live on all cabler newers and broadcast networks. “I am not going to change anything in any fundamental way,” the president made clear, noting voter “frustration” and listing off his accomplishments since taking office in 2021.
In a rare occasion where the President took formal questions at length from journalists, Biden touched on a variety of topics from the war in Ukraine, his “determined” intention to bring WNBA star Brittney Griner home from Russian imprisonment, the lack of an anticipated Red Wave for the GOP, the “almost comedy” of potential Republican Congressional probes into him, his family and cabinet, and, of course, Elon Musk.
“I think that Elon Musk’s cooperation with other countries and/or technical relationships is worthy of being looked at,” Biden replied on the newly minted Twitter boss and the minority ownership role of the Saudis on the social media platform. Noting that he was “not suggesting” Musk was doing anything “inappropriate,” POTUS refused to be drawn out more on the topic.
In fact, perhaps the most pressing question among reporters, looking to the next election. was whether Biden will run again.
“Our intention is to run again, that has been our intention, regardless of what the outcome in this election, was” Biden said in language he’s used before about his Oval Office future. POTUS said he will discuss decision with family but “I don’t feel any hurry.” He also estimated that he would make a decision early next year and intended to make sure Donald Trump doesn’t “become the next President again.”
The President also reiterated his stance on gun violence by telling the room and cameras “I’m gonna ban assault weapons, I’m gonna try like the devil.”
Leaning into issues of the economy, crime and abortion rights as well, the President’s remarks come after a night that many incorrectly predicted would be a drubbing for Democrats. Instead, with results still coming in and a looming December 6 Senate runoff in Georgia, the GOP’s hold on the House of Representatives looks to be fragile at best and control of the upper chamber is still a toss-up. Breaking with electoral tradition, Biden and the Democrats initially seem to have emerged relatively unscathed in the midterms and the already feuding Republicans’ Red Wave never built up any force.
(Excerpt) Read more in: Deadline