You’ve heard about Joe Biden’s unfortunate acknowledgement Thursday that he “wouldn’t go anywhere in confined places now” due to swine flu. Biden was answering a question from Matt Lauer on the Today show.
The statement quickly rippled across the Web and TV news.
Later Thursday morning, his spokesperson, Elizabeth Alexander, sent an e-mail to journalists trying to clarify the vice president’s remarks. According to USA Today, Alexander noted that the specific question dealt with what Biden would tell a family member making an air trip to Mexico this week.
“The advice he is giving family members is the same advice the administration is giving to all Americans: that they should avoid unnecessary air travel to and from Mexico,” she said. “If they are sick, they should avoid airplanes and other confined public spaces, such as subways.”
Not so fast, Ms. Alexander.
Yes, Lauer was asking, specifically, what Biden would tell a family member planning an air trip to Mexico, but it was the vice president who quickly broadened the answer to reflect all air travel to anywhere in the world. Here’s the transcript:
Lauer: Let me ask you this, and this is by no means a gotcha type of question, but if a member of your family came to you …
Biden: (chuckles)
Lauer: No, Mr. Vice President, if a member of your family came to you and said, ‘Look, I want to go on a commercial airliner to Mexico and back within the next week,’ would you think it’s a good idea?
Biden: I would tell members of my family, and I have, I wouldn’t go anywhere in confined places now. It’s not that it’s going to Mexico; it’s that you’re in a confined aircraft. When one person sneezes it goes all the way through the aircraft. That’s me. I would not be at this point—if they had another way of transportation—suggesting they ride the subway. So, from my perspective, what it relates to is mitigation. If you’re out in the middle of a field and someone sneezes that’s one thing; if you’re in a closed aircraft, a closed container, a closed car, a closed classroom, it’s a different thing.
Hmm, I don’t think Biden was referring to just Mexico or just if you’re sick. He’s clearly saying no one should travel in confined places.
But nice try, Ms. Alexander.
And by the way, can you clarify what it means to travel in a “closed container”?
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Comments (10)
A few reactions to this silly exchange...
1. Yeah, Joe made a silly. Not exactly of great consequence. But yes, Ms. Alexander does need some serious mentoring. I'll give her an A for for the speed of responding but a D for the response itself.
1a. In this floundering economy, it's good to see so many people making a living prospecting for every possible gaffe...
1b. ...especially when they're not half as funny as those of our previous administration. (And let's face it, none of the Washington gaffes are terribly consequential, but they are entertaining!)
2. Once again, most of these comments have turned what should be a communications discussion into a political one. I doubt most of these posters are even communicators, and unfortunately, most of them just make these discussions less and less useful.
(I hope the usually good Ragan conferences aren't turning into these off-topic political kerfluffles, too. That might explain why registrations are down.)
For those of you (bozos?) who must resort to name-calling, go find a forum designed for trash-talk, not professional communicators.
It's time to moderate these discussions.
Posted by Anonymous in DC | May 2, 2009 1:51 PM
Posted on May 2, 2009 13:51
You have to believe they sent Biden to the Today Show thinking "he can't blow this one." Obama has been honest in acknowledging his errors. Biden should do the same. People appreciate the honesty.
Posted by Tripp Frohlichstein | May 1, 2009 7:17 PM
Posted on May 1, 2009 19:17
Elizabeth Alexander blew it! Big time!
Her feeble attempt to get her boss' foot out of his mouth was one of the poorest examples of damage control I've ever seen.
By handling the situation this way, she discredited herself, her boss, the office of the Vice President and contributed immeasureably to the public's cynical perspective that we can't believe anyone in public office.
Nice going Liz!
Posted by Mark McLaughlin | May 1, 2009 4:05 PM
Posted on May 1, 2009 16:05
Thank you, Anne! My thoughts exactly!
It appears that the current administration might consider "a closed container" for Mr. Biden, or risk burn out of his Communication people.
I agree with the author of the article, "nice try, Ms. Alexander" but his reputation is such that his every word is scrutinized even more than the average "Joe Politician." Joe Biden's ethos is irreparable at this point.
Posted by Cindy | May 1, 2009 10:52 AM
Posted on May 1, 2009 10:52
They planned to use bailout money to increase the Vice-President's "Clarification" Team.
But they had to use the money for the Chrysler bankruptcy instead.
Back in the USS....back in the USS....back in the USSA.
Listen to Joe, do the opposite and we'll all be fine.
Looks like the former traditional role of the VP going to funerals will soon be back.
Posted by Brian Olson | May 1, 2009 10:46 AM
Posted on May 1, 2009 10:46
In response to "If that's the studiest thing he can say, he's well under the standard set by a certain previous administration" :
Well done, Kristen. So glad to know you're a good little Liberal.
This discussion doesn't have anything to do with politics, it has to do with consistent messaging from the Administration ---any Administration-- about a potential flu pandemic. And, (since I'm assuming YOU elected Bozo Joe) what Joe Biden was well known for in his Senate career, was his extensive experience in bloviating.
Staying on-message to remind folks that no, flying to Mexico probably isn't a good idea, but that yes, most air travel is still OK. And, yes, wearing a face mask these days is not a bad idea, either.
--Anne Duffy
Posted by Anne Duffy | May 1, 2009 10:32 AM
Posted on May 1, 2009 10:32
Thank you for this post! Loved it in my Inbox this morning. Will pass along and keep up the great work! Biden... gosh.
Kristen Kouk
www.BlueBirdPublicRelations.com
Posted by Kristen | May 1, 2009 10:19 AM
Posted on May 1, 2009 10:19
If that's the stupidest thing he can say, he's well under the standard set by a certain previous administration.
Posted by Anonymous | May 1, 2009 10:12 AM
Posted on May 1, 2009 10:12
If that's the stupidest thing he can say, he's well under the standard set by a certain previous administration.
Posted by Anonymous | May 1, 2009 10:12 AM
Posted on May 1, 2009 10:12
Biden is the biggest idiot. Like many in that administration, they forget their position and influence on the everyday matters. Michelle Obama is now wearing $540 sneakers to special events for the poor. "Say one thing, and do another," is their motto.
Posted by Anonymous | May 1, 2009 9:05 AM
Posted on May 1, 2009 09:05