BEFORE answering the questions, see “Background” and watch the videos under “Resources” below.

NOTE: The White House press corps is the group of journalists, correspondents, and members of the media usually assigned to the White House to cover the president, White House events, and news briefings. Its offices are located in the West Wing. The traveling press corps are those journalists who travel with the president to cover his various public appearances.

1. The first paragraph of a news article should answer the questions who, what, where and when. (In this article, 1st and 2nd paragraphs). List the who, what, where and when of this news item. (NOTE: The remainder of a news article provides details on the why and/or how.)

2. a) How did President Biden’s aides react to the press corps’ questions?
b) President Biden was visiting a small business he helped. Why do you think his aides did not allow the press any interaction with the president?

3. a) How did President Biden respond to the press?
b) What do you think of the president’s response?

4. What is significant about President Biden’s refusal/failure to as of yet hold a solo press conference (where the president would answer the media’s questions about particular policies)? Be specific.

5. a) How did President Biden’s press secretary Jen Psaki explain the president’s reason for not holding any solo press conferences?
b) What do you think of this explanation?

6. Consider the following:

• Joe Biden has been in office well over 40 years - as a Senator, then for two terms as Barack Obama’s vice president. He has headed many important committees as a Senator. He has vast experience as a public speaker and politician. He has never been shy or inarticulate or known to avoid the press.
• It has been speculated since before the election that President Biden has some type of dementia or cognitive disorder. - And that is why it is difficult for him to answer questions live (that he can no longer “think on his feet”).
• A president’s first speech to Congress is not called a State of the Union, but an address to a joint session of Congress. It is generally an opportunity to lay out long-term policy themes as well as shorter-term legislative goals. It is always given sometime in February. On Jan. 14, President Biden said, “Next month, in my first appearance before a joint session of Congress, I will lay out my ‘Build Back Better’ recovery plan.”
• When asked in February about why the President’s address to Congress had no date, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said, “it was never planned to be in February, and we don’t have a date for a joint session at this point.”
• It was recently announced that President Biden will address the American people on Thursday night about Covid-19 (unknown if this will be a taped or live speech).

a) What do you think the White House Press Corps should be asking/reporting about the President’s lack of Q&A with the press? Explain your answer.
b) How confident do you think congressional Democrats are that President Biden is able to speak clearly and articulately at live events? Explain your answer.
c) Do you think the president is purposely being protected from direct discussions with the media? Explain your answer.