Biden calls on Republicans to ban abortion in Arizona dating back to 1864 – then misses what century we’re in as we invent a new campaign slogan: ‘Vote me. I’m in the 20th century’
President Joe Biden took a question that was thrown right over the plate at a press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida about abortion, then immediately dismissed his answer by saying he was ‘in the 20th century.’
The Arizona state Supreme Court’s shock ruling once again injected abortion politics into the 2024 campaign, raising the prospect of a near-total ban on the procedure based on a state law that predates its own state.
The president, who is campaigning for an effort to restore abortion protections, was asked about it at the end of a press event where he read from a script during a delicate response about the war in Israel, calling US support “ironclad”.
Asked about his message to Arizona residents facing an abortion ban, Biden had a short answer that he flubbed and then corrected.
‘Choose me. I’m in the 20th century – 21st century,” Biden said.
20th Century Man: Biden urged people to ‘vote me’ after Arizona Supreme Court ruling that would effectively ban abortion in state
It came on an issue that could determine control of the Senate and the White House. The ruling came just a day after rival Donald Trump unveiled his latest position on abortion, calling on states to decide what abortion rights should exist within their borders.
Biden kept his sunglasses on throughout the presser, under a bright sun on a hot D.C. day — with his shades sometimes reflecting papers he was consulting.
He appeared to lose his temper after reporters jumped to ask him for the standard “two-and-two” format, in which the White House writes down who Biden should call.
“Why isn’t everyone shouting at once?” he asked sarcastically.
His response came at a press conference where Biden read a long passage while talking about tense negotiations involving Israel, Hamas and intermediaries. He made the call to ‘get these hostages home where they belong’ on a day when there were chilling reports Hamas says it cannot deliver the 40 hostages as part of a proposal because it does not have that many in the moment.
When Biden called a reporter for the second question, he made it clear that aides had predetermined his question, as at previous press conferences.
‘Who should I call next? I have my list here,” Biden said. Images of his famous Ray-Ban sunglasses showed reflections of a binder of information on the lectern in front of him in the White House Rose Garden.
He spoke of the US-Japan military relationship, which he called “really defensive in nature,” and repeated his call for improved “lines of communication” with China’s Xi Jinping.
He said the two men agreed on personal contacts so that nothing slips between ‘the cup and the lip’.
Biden laughed when a reporter said he wouldn’t mind if the president answered a question about his opposition to a Japanese company’s purchase of American steel — a topic that forced him to talk about the fraught issue in front of his guest .
‘I stand by my commitment to American workers. I am a man of my word, I will keep it. And on that, I stand by our commitment to our alliance, he said.
Kishida himself did not directly respond to a question about whether he discussed it with Biden.
“We understand that there are ongoing discussions between the parties. We hope that these discussions will develop in directions that would be positive for both sides. Japan believes that appropriate procedures based on the law are being implemented by the US government,” he said, according to a translation of his remarks.
It came after Biden treated Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to a red carpet arrival ceremony at the White House, praising his ‘good friend’ as a ‘true leader’ and thanking the key ally for its support to Ukraine.
In a binder: Biden kept his Ray-Bans on throughout the press conference. He relied on notes when talking about Israel and Gaza
On second thought … Biden took a shouted question after calling predetermined questioners
He held a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Fuimio Kishida
Biden met with Kishida inside the Oval Office in one of many gestures of support for the partner on defense and economic issues. The US and China share mutual concern over Chinese provocations in Asia, even amid a rift over Nippon Steel’s proposed purchase of US Steel.
“You personally made all of this possible,” Biden gushed after reviewing examples of Kishida’s “bold leadership.”
He would occasionally glance at a note card as he spoke, then put it away for a joint photo and handshake.
Biden also provided a formal arrival ceremony for Kishida’s official visit and state dinner set for Tuesday night – with singer Paul Simon providing musical entertainment.
Kishida called Biden ‘Joe’ and said they had ‘cultivated a friendship and a trust’ through a series of meetings.
Biden also credited Kishida for deciding to “heal old wounds and start a new chapter of friendship” with South Korea, despite lingering animosity over Japan’s colonial oppression.
Biden touted Japanese investments that have generated “millions of jobs in both of our nations,” without mentioning his opposition to the purchase of Pittsburgh-based US Steel.
President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan meet in the Oval Office shortly after an elaborate arrival ceremony for his official visit to Washington
Biden praised Japan’s investment despite a split over a planned purchase of US Steel
Kishida was treated to an elaborate ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House
Biden was answering a reporter’s question about Australia’s request for the US to end its prosecution of WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange, who is facing prosecution in the US for leaking millions of documents and is still being held in Britain
“We’re considering it,” Biden said.
Kishida’s visit is an official one, as he is not Japan’s head of state, although he will be treated to a state dinner, which will feature rib eye steak and Biden’s favorite dessert: ice cream.
The two men and their wives also dined Monday night at Black Salt, an upscale restaurant in Washington, DC.
Biden also told how the two men went to see a trio of cherry trees on the White House grounds and that Kishida is presenting 250 new cherry t-shirts to join hundreds in DC’s Tidal Basin.
Neither mentioned Biden’s push for a Texas railway project using Japanese bullet trains.
On Ukraine, Biden praised Kishida at a time when he is struggling to get his own multi-billion aid package through the Republican House.
“When Russia began its brutal invasion of Ukraine two years ago, he did not hesitate to condemn, sanction and isolate Russia and provide billions in aid to Ukraine,” Biden said.
‘Under his leadership, Japan initiated profound changes in its defense policy and capabilities,’ referring to Japan’s US-drafted constitution that renounces war.