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Headline Roundup March 26th, 2021

Perspectives: Biden’s First Press Conference

Summary from the AllSides News Team

President Joe Biden held his first press conference as president on Thursday, answering 31 questions from 10 of 25 attending journalists for a little over an hour. Biden called on journalists from the Associated Press (Center, Lean Left for AP Politics), PBS NewsHour (Center), The Washington Post (Lean Left), ABC News (Lean Left), The Wall Street Journal (Center), NBC News (Lean Left), CBS News (Lean Left), CNN (Left), Bloomberg (Lean Left), and Univision (Lean Left). Notable outlets not called upon by Biden included Fox News (Lean Right) and The New York Times (Lean Left). Voices from across the spectrum had a wide variety of perspectives on the press conference. Voices in right-rated outlets were strongly critical of Biden and the press, arguing that Biden made false statements, that he “torched” his message of unity, and that the press gave him “softball” questions. Voices in left-rated outlets were mixed, mostly viewing Biden’s performance favorably but with some criticizing the press for failing to ask adequate questions about issues like the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Biden's eye-on-the-prize strategy
Biden's eye-on-the-prize strategy

Axios

Analysis

President Biden revealed in vivid display this week the thinking animating his 100-day plan: Do not allow outside events to take his eye off the make-or-break imperatives of virus eradication and economic growth.

The big picture: He dispatched Vice President Harris to handle the brewing crisis at the border. And, in yesterday's press conference, he made plain gun control and other topics may need to wait.

On gun control: "It's a matter of timing."
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Open on Axios
Biden, a President who doesn't insult people -- or our intelligence
Biden, a President who doesn't insult people -- or our intelligence

CNN Digital

Opinion

Anyone hoping President Joe Biden's first formal news conference Thursday would produce a series of gaffes and misstatements must be deeply disappointed. Americans who want a competent, coherent, focused President should feel reassured.

Biden made news by answering a question he had dodged before -- the one about a second term (he is 78). "My plan," he told reporters, "is to run for reelection in 2024." He also made news on the pandemic, announcing he is doubling the initial goal of administering 100 million vaccines in his first 100 days,...

Open on Frida Ghitis
Joe Biden clears very low bar at first press conference
Joe Biden clears very low bar at first press conference

Washington Examiner

Opinion

Things go so much more smoothly when Washington reporters actually like the person functioning as president. And so, President Joe Biden cleared the very low bar that was set for his first press conference on Thursday.

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