Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) is trying to clean up comments she made about President Joe Biden’s political future during her primary debate.
During an appearance on CNN, Maloney apologized for stating that she does not believe the president will run again in 2024.
Host Brianna Keilar asked, “Why did you say that? Why do you think he’s not going to run for reelection?”
“I think we owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to President Biden. He saved the country by running against former President Trump,” Maloney responded.
She went on to claim Biden has done an “incredible job as president.”
Despite her praise of the president, Keilar repeated her question, to which Maloney responded, “That was just my own personal belief…But I will support him if he runs, and it’s totally his decision…We’re all entitled to have our own information and our own beliefs. But I will support him if he runs for president.”
Watch the video below:
After saying Biden won’t run in 2024, Rep Carolyn Maloney looks into @newday camera and says: “I apologize Mr. President…(even though) I happen to think you won’t be running.” @brikeilarcnn pic.twitter.com/KuLaBoGRX5
— CNN This Morning with Kasie Hunt (@CNNThisMorning) August 4, 2022
The New York Democrat went on to praise several of Biden’s policies.
But as Keilar began to ask another question, Maloney, without prompting, said, “Mr. President, I apologize.”
“I want you to run. I happen to think you won’t be running. But when you run, or if you run, I will be there 100%. You have deserved it. You are a great president. And thank you for everything you’ve done for my state, and all the states, and all the cities in America. Thank you, Mr. President,” she said.
That’s quite the effusive apology and seems more like something a politician would say to avoid winding up on former President Donald Trump’s bad side.
While what Maloney said about supporting Biden if he runs again is closer to what you might expect Democrats to say, it comes after she simply stated that she does not believe he will seek reelection.
In case you missed it:
Q: "Should President Biden run again in 2024?"@JerryNadler : "Too early to say. Doesn’t serve the purpose of the Democratic Party to deal with that until after the midterms."@CarolynBMaloney: "I don’t believe he’s running for reelection." #NY12 pic.twitter.com/DbLPcYJktG
— CSPAN (@cspan) August 3, 2022
Her comments were not a full walk back of what she previously said, but they do seem to be wise poltiically. It’s not helpful for trying to tamp down speculation about Biden when Democrats say things like this.
But she has left the door open to speculation by awkwardly refusing to share why she thinks Biden will not run again. Does she know something about Biden and his plans? Or is it really just her speculation?