Second, it's a "thing" mostly for us (news media). And my prediction -- a joint interview on a morning show -- has not come true. But "where does she stand on Issue X?" pressures aren't going to dissipate. And those aren't just from journos.
Third, and I may be disappearing up my own butt here, but I've noticed from the pool reports that Harris and Walz are doing off-the-record chats with the pool, which *can* lessen pressure for a press conference.
Fourth, it's not just the crazily compressed calendar for Harris, it's that she was going to be running on the Biden record and now she has to do that AND affirm her own positions on major issues. Does she break with him? On what? How hard?
Fifth, sure, [nods in the direction of three decades of communications aides], a press conference may be high-risk, low-reward for Harris/Walz. But the longer they don't do a proper q-and-a, the tougher that q-and-a will be on both sides.
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Biden on his Putin-cannot-remain-in-power comment: "I wasn't then, nor am I now, articulating a policy change. I was expressing moral outrage that I feel and I make no apologies for it."
"I don't think it complicates" matters related to Ukraine, Biden says. "If he continues on this course that he's on, he is going to be a pariah worldwide, and who knows what he becomes at home in terms of support?"
More Biden on his Putin comment: He meant "bad people shouldn't continue to do bad things. But it doesn't mean that we have a fundamental policy to doing anything to take Putin down in any way."
To the authors of the Kabul attacks, Biden says, "Know this: We will not forgive, we will not forget, we will hunt you down and make you pay." (earlier, top Central Command general said US would hunt them "24-7").
Biden says US "will continue the evacuation." And US is drawing up plans to strike ISIS-K. (Dunno what this means for the days leading up to Aug 31 and the date itself.)
Will you authorize new forces for protection of the airport or to target ISIS-K? Biden: "Whatever they need, if they need additional force, I will grant it." But says commanders tell him they'll pursue the mission "as designed" with the force levels and the time allotted.
Asked about the threat from ISIS-K going forward, Marine Corps Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., commander of U.S. Central Command, says "we expect those attacks to continue" and are preparing for that.
Will there be a military response? McKenzie says "yes, if we can find who was associated with this" and "24-7 we are looking for them"
Might the US send more troops to Kabul? McKenzie says "we have the forces we need" & "we have what we need to protect ourselves"
Secretary of State Blinken confirms since Aug 14 more than 82,300 people flown out of Kabul. At least 4,500 US citizens. 500 in the last day. 6,000 Americans in Afghanistan on 8/14 who wanted to leave.
Currently helping 500 more Americans who want to leave. In touch with another 1,000 people who may be Americans to confirm they are Americans, confirm they are in Afghanistan, confirm they want to leave. So actual number will be "lower, likely significantly lower."
(But this is based on "contacts." Blinken says they may not have reached everyone. Says the number rises and falls. It's unclear to me what the US govt estimate is for number of Americans still in Afghanistan and wanting to leave.)
Source tells me the Biden administration told Congress today it has processed 4,500 Americans for repatriation from Afghanistan, and another roughly 4,100 remain, not all in Kabul. Some want to stay. Awaiting @SecBlinken 2:30 remarks.
Source adds Biden administration told Congress it has facilitated the departure of 82,300 since the military started the operation at the airport in Kabul, Aug 14, and 87,900 since late July.
Biden says the US evacuation effort in Afghanistan has gotten 70,700 people out of Kabul since the military started its operation Aug. 14.
Biden says the evacuation is "currently on a pace to finish August the 31st" but says meeting that timetable depends on Taliban helping, not hindering the operation.
Yes, I heard the "legitimacy" line but I'm not sure I've fully digested it so won't tweet in detail about it yet.