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OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
First lady Jill Biden is playing an outsized role in her husband’s administration, mostly to protect him, according to a published report on Tuesday.
The New York Times quoted a witness source who claimed that Jill Biden is also wielding quite a bit of influence over President Joe Biden’s decisions as she participates directly in vetting administration officials and protecting her husband from long press conferences.
For instance, the first lady lashed out at senior members of her husband’s staff after he spoke at length during a press conference in January. Jill Biden reportedly demanded to know who was responsible for ending the presser that dragged on for almost two hours after Joe Biden began with a list of pre-selected reporters and then opened up questions from the floor, leading one reporter to ask for the president’s response to Americans becoming increasingly concerned about this mental status.
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In addition, Jill Biden was involved in vetting former White House press secretary Jen Psaki and “has been involved in the hiring of [Joe Biden’s] press staff and other senior aides,” the Times reported.
The Daily Caller adds:
Jill Biden’s reported influence in the White House comes as Joe Biden has been scrutinized for being led off stage by the first lady, and appearing to be physically led away from reporters’ questions by the Easter Bunny.
Jill Biden has been appearing frequently on the campaign trail, traveling to states including Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Wisconsin, as Joe Biden’s poll numbers remain underwater weeks before the midterms.
The Times added: “With President Biden’s job approval hovering at about 40 percent at a moment when Democrats are struggling to hold on to the House and Senate, Dr. Biden has become a lifeline for candidates trying to draw attention and money but not the baggage that an appearance with her husband would bring. According to a senior White House official, she is the most requested surrogate in the administration.”
“She does not offend people in a way that a president can because she’s much less polarizing and political,” Michael LaRosa, a communications strategist and her former press secretary, told the Times. “It’s why she was sent all over rural Iowa and New Hampshire during the campaign and why she can go places now that the president can’t.”
That said, the first lady did not receive a very warm welcome Sunday in the blue city of Philadelphia as she was booed mercilessly at an NFL game. She was on hand for the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys to promote the White House’s cancer initiatives.
But when her face was shown on the jumbotron she was not greeted as she may have expected to be in a liberal city she used to call home. “Philly just BOO’d Jill Biden BAD. #FlyEaglesFly,” former NFL player Clay Harbor said.
“A source inside Lincoln Financial Field has informed me that Jill Biden was just mercilessly booed by Eagles fans when they put her on the screen,” Greg price added.
Some wondered why the video was so tough to find.
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“If Melania Trump had been booed at a NFL game, she would be trending on Twitter. There would be video plasted on every social media platform in the nation. So where’s the video of First Lady Jill Biden being booed at tonight’s Eagles game?” Todd Starnes said.
“Social Media Communists are Censoring Jill Biden getting mercilessly booed at the Eagles game. Where is the video!!?? Somebody find it, and tag me!!!” another Twitter user said.
The first lady was either oblivious to the boos or her staff penned a tweet for her that simply did not mention it.
“It’s a special night for this Philly girl — I get to cheer on my @Eagles alongside these brave cancer survivors and their families. Thank you @NFL for raising awareness through Crucial Catch. We all have a role to play in ending cancer as we know it. #CancerMoonshot,” she said.
It’s a special night for this Philly girl — I get to cheer on my @Eagles alongside these brave cancer survivors and their families.
Thank you @NFL for raising awareness through Crucial Catch. We all have a role to play in ending cancer as we know it. #CancerMoonshot pic.twitter.com/VfCdbrl2ce
— Jill Biden (@FLOTUS) October 17, 2022
