Fresh off of somehow offending both Jews and Muslims in the span of a few days, Vice-President Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr. was the subject of a cringeworthy question at Monday’s White House press briefing that had at least one other member of the press corps snickering.
ABC News reporter Jon Karl asked for President Obama’s thoughts on the recent gaffe tour that has had Biden apologizing as if OneRepublic were about to impose a deadline.
“So the vice-president has apologized to the Emirates, he has apologized to the Turks, he may or may not apologize next to the Saudis, a few weeks ago he apologized to the [Anti-Defamation League] for using the term ‘shylock’ ” — Karl was just getting started, by the way — “he took heat for using the term ‘Orient’ to describe Asia, he praised (disgraced former Senator) Bob Packwood before a women’s group, um …
“This was all in the past few weeks.”
Oof.
“What is the president’s response to his vice-president going out and continually needing to apologize for things he’s said?”
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest did not begin his answer with the statement, “The president has had total confidence in Vice-President Selina Meyer (ed: I mean VEEP, not Catwoman) from day one,” making his comments irrelevant. Though he did refer to Biden as someone who continues to be “a core member of the president’s national security team.”
The Turkish prime minister must be thrilled.
