President Joe Biden criticized Republican-led states for mishandling their economies and manufacturing in a recent interview with MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell. He admitted that Democrats could have done a better job communicating their accomplishments to voters, saying they missed opportunities to tout popular programs and infrastructure projects. Biden also acknowledged that he focused too much on policy and not enough on politics, a mistake he intends to rectify.
Biden also discussed how he considered signing stimulus checks, as former President Donald Trump had done. He felt that Trump’s tactic had helped him politically and acknowledged that it undermined Democrats’ messaging on Covid relief efforts. Biden signed a $1.9 trillion stimulus bill in March 2021, which included direct cash payments to individuals and was intended to boost the economy following the pandemic.
In his final weeks in office, Biden warned of threats to the country’s future, including the rise of an oligarchy and a tech-industrial complex. This interview was one of the few he has done during this time, with no plans announced for a final news conference as is customary for an outgoing president. Biden expressed regret over not promoting Democratic achievements more effectively and said that engaging in both policy and politics is crucial for success in government.
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