NEW: The inside joke used to be that Biden’s speechwriter had the toughest job in DC. As president, he’s sticking to his script (so far). by @ngaudiano ($) in @thisisinsider businessinsider.com/biden-stimulus…
Scripted, focused, concise.
President Joe Biden's messaging on COVID relief has been a marked departure from then-President Donald Trump's wild rhetorical rides while the deadly virus ravaged America.
President Joe Biden's messaging on COVID relief has been a marked departure from then-President Donald Trump's wild rhetorical rides while the deadly virus ravaged America.
It's also a big change for Biden, and Democratic insiders who know the president well can't help but take notice.
After all, Biden's verbosity and propensity for verbal gaffes were standard late-night TV punch lines throughout his long political career.
After all, Biden's verbosity and propensity for verbal gaffes were standard late-night TV punch lines throughout his long political career.
Now, he's largely sticking to the message crafted by his speechwriters, comms staffers, & other top aides. It was the case when he delivered his first primetime address to the nation last week in under 24 minutes. In earlier times, that would have been a pipe dream for Biden.
"It is amazing," said Kathleen Hall Jamieson, a University of Pennsylvania comms professor & presidential messaging expert. "If you [had] watched Biden's career, & said I'm going to project a presidency out of what I know of Biden as a senator, this is not what you'd project."
People who have known Biden for years are quick to recall his tendency to keep talking...and talking...and talking. To the chagrin of his aides and spinmeisters, Biden was renowned for the fact he could say just about anything.
"His speeches were loaded with personal anecdotes and asides, and back and forth with the crowd or the moderator," said Ben LaBolt, a Democratic strategist who was a White House deputy press secretary under President Barack Obama and then-Vice President Biden.
The inside joke, LaBolt added, was that Biden's speechwriters had the toughest job in Washington.
Biden is no doubt aware of his propensity to go off script.
Back during a 2007 presidential primary debate he got asked if he would have the verbal discipline needed on the world stage.
Back during a 2007 presidential primary debate he got asked if he would have the verbal discipline needed on the world stage.
"Yes," was Biden's 1-word response — a memorable laugh line one offering proof that he could rein it in.
Fast forward 14 years and it's mostly that Biden — the one who can hold his tongue when needed — who has shown up to occupy the Oval Office & help comfort a mourning nation.
Fast forward 14 years and it's mostly that Biden — the one who can hold his tongue when needed — who has shown up to occupy the Oval Office & help comfort a mourning nation.
Subscribe to @thisisinsider for the full report from @ngaudiano - who has been covering @POTUS since back when he ran for president in '07. Here's how: businessinsider.com/subscription
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