Yes, Joe Biden Should Replace Karine Jean-Pierre – Before coming to a conclusion in life, it’s important to fully weigh up both sides of the argument to a controversial subject.
Karine Jean-Pierre is no exception. I just wrote for this publication as to why the President should keep her as White House press secretary. It was tough.
Granted, she’s loyal to the Biden-Harris campaign, and she’s experienced enough in the media to secure a political analyst role should she be unceremoniously dismissed, but that’s it. If you’re a politician who’s afraid of firing someone because they’ll go on the TV and say nasty words about your administration, the chances are you’re not a very strong leader.
I researched notable negatives when looking into Jean-Pierre for this article, some of which were just bemusing.
When you’re in the top PR role in the country, you should know better than to tweet: “When I was running for president…” posts on your account when it’s intended for your boss’. Quickly ushering him off stage at a summit of foreign leaders is perhaps not advisable either.
But neither of those, comical as they are, has been her biggest mistake.
The War On The Media
There’s an old saying which many politicians are advised to live by: “Never pick a fight with anyone who buys ink by the barrel.”
It’s a reference to the practice of print media, effectively warning against starting a conflict with the fourth estate. They decide what goes out to the masses, not the White House. If the media decides against publishing its achievements, there’s little way for an administration to display them to the public.
Journalists don’t like being told what they can’t do. The industry itself is rebellious, where the buzz of a top scoop drives many on. If stuff is being kept away from them, it means there’s something to hide.
That’s exactly where Jean-Pierre, who herself was in the media as little as four years ago, has messed up. Her restrictions on questions to the President frustrate journalists who have patiently waited hours to ask a total of five questions. When she answers them herself, she gives incomprehensible responses often completely unrelated to the question asked.
She’s supposed to echo Biden’s comments, not accurately parrot them.
Embarrassingly, she’s also violated the Hatch Act, which “prohibits a covered employee from using her official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election,” after comments about “mega MAGA Republicans”.
Given that Biden’s main adversary is charged with election interference, it isn’t a good look.
At some point during his presidency, Biden must show leadership. By removing the arch nemesis of those who can portray his message to the public, it might be a start. It would not be a drastic change – the media only hype departures because they deal with the press secretary everyday – but it’d be one which at least could steer him on the right path.
Shay Bottomley is a British journalist based in Canada. He has written for the Western Standard, Maidenhead Advertiser, Slough Express, Windsor Express, Berkshire Live and Southend Echo, and has covered notable events including the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
