Last Friday, President-elect Biden got irritated with a CBS News reporter who asked him a question about his plan to get children back to classrooms during the coronavirus pandemic.
The heated exchange took place as President-elect and Vice-President-elect were wrapping up a meeting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in Wilmington, Delaware.
Bo Erickson is the CBS News Reporter who asked about whether Biden intends to lean on teacher’s unions to get kids back to school during the Coronavirus Pandemic. Joe Biden responded with, “Why are you the only guy who always shouts out questions?” and declined to answer the question.
…Biden: “Why are you the only guy that always shouts out questions?” That question sums up the situation perfectly. We should all want to know why Erickson is the only guy (other than Peter Doocy) who is asking such questions.
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) November 22, 2020
The question came as teachers’ unions had been opposing the idea of returning to full-fledged, in-person instruction because of the ongoing pandemic.
The President-elect’s response was widely criticized on social media as Erickson posted a tweet on Friday about the incident.
On Twitter, many were angered by Joe Biden’s dismissive remark of Erickson. Meanwhile, Erickson was praised as a journalist who asked a good question.
Jerry Dunleavy, Washington Examiner reporter, wrote on Twitter, ‘It’s a great question that deserves an answer from Biden.”
Will Steaking, ABC News correspondent, also tweeted, “Good for Bo, also the idea that this was “shouted,” question is hilarious.”
Derek Hunter, a radio host, also tweeted, “A completely valid and important question asked in a civil tone…deflected by Biden, who may not have understood it because it wasn’t screened by staff first.”
A completely valid and important question asked in a civil tone…deflected by Biden, who may not have understood it because it wasn't screened by staff first. https://t.co/3FvmdaP9IO
— Derek Hunter (@derekahunter) November 21, 2020
This is not the first time that Joe Biden lost his cool to a question posed by Bo Erickson. Last month, the CBS News Reporter also experienced a fumed remarks from Joe Biden, after he was asked about his son Hunter’s business dealings.
Last month, Bo Erickson asked, “Mr. Biden, what is your response to the New York Post story about your son, sir?”
To which Biden replied heatedly with, “I know you’d ask it! I have no response; it’s another smear campaign, right up your alley, those are the questions you always ask.”
Erickson was praised for his act of asking the difficult question to Biden at that time, while many media figures opt not to ask Biden about the New York Post story that contained damning information about his son.
Biden will be the oldest US President in US’ history
During the Friday’s closed-door portion of the meeting attended by Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Nancy Pelosi, and Chuck Schumer, an aide stated that Pelosi presented Biden with a white orchid as Biden celebrated his birthday.
Joe Biden, who turned 78, will be sworn as the oldest President in the US history, replacing Ronald Reagan, who was 77 when he left the White House in 1989.
The age and health of Biden loomed throughout the Presidential race.
During the campaign, Biden’s gaffes raised some questions about the Democrat’s mental acuity to lead the nation.
Both backers and critics of Joe Biden were worried about how he was sending the wrong message about his stamina by maintaining a light public schedule while Trump stormed every battleground state.
Biden used the pandemic to his light public appearance and frequently mentioned that he is cautious in holding mass gatherings, an excuse which came very timely.
Also, to back up his statement about his strong stamina, the Biden campaign also made a case that Joe Biden “isn’t your average septuagenarian.”
To add more to this claim, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, his physician, also wrote in a medical report which was released last December that Biden is “healthy, vigorous … fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency, to include those as Chief Executive, Head of State and Commander in Chief.”
However, at 78 years old, it is only fair to speculate whether President-elect Biden is mentally and physically fit to be the President of the United States.
