President Joe Biden suffered a loss during one of his signature battles with his prepared remarks.
During a press conference with Finland’s president Sauli Niinistö, Biden struggled brutally to read his script.
“Mi-mi-mi-di — the ministry of cola, the daughter of Ireland,” he said.
Biden continued as he caught himself, “Daughter of Ireland… you can tell that’s a Freudian slip, I’m thinking of home. The daughter of Iceland.”
Watch the video below:
Biden's brain malfunctions as he attempts to read from his script in Finland pic.twitter.com/1ihaXinIh3
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 13, 2023
As he spoke, Niinistö seemed to stare into the abyss — seemingly representing how most of us feel when we hear Biden mangle his words and nervously hope a coherent thought emerges.
https://t.co/fxHx1KNtMz pic.twitter.com/cwLr89i1JD
— Kate Hyde (@KateHydeNY) July 13, 2023
During the annual NATO summit, Biden has had his usual moment of appearing lost or mocking a reporter’s question.
Those can have their excuses.
And at least he did not fall, though that should not be a high bar for someone running for president.
But as he is gearing for 2024, clips of world leaders looking utterly confused as he speaks about his “home” in Ireland are not exactly going to sell the image of a strong, vivacious leader ready to be in the White House till he’s 86.
Speaking clearly, knowing where to go, and not tripping should not be high bars to meet. And yet, Biden struggles frequently with them.
If he could just master two out of the three, his standing would probably improve a decent amount. But if the past is prologue, it doesn’t seem like he will be.