Good Morning DC,
At the start of the Easter weekend, one thing is worth remembering: “Every day is a renewal, every morning the daily miracle. This joy you feel is life.” — Gertrude Stein.
Let’s get you caught up with the news of the day.
President Biden is still in New York and is scheduled to appear at a campaign event today. Then, he will go to Camp David, where he and Jill will spend the weekend.
Biden, Obama, Clinton, and Stephen Colbert took the stage at Radio City Music Hall in NYC last night against the backdrop of Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run.”
The fundraiser that pulled in $26+ million was frequently interrupted by protesters, an occurrence that has become all too common.
Colbert kicked off proceedings with a joke, remarking, “Three presidents have all come to New York, and not one of them is here to appear in court.”
The discussion revolved around the significance of the upcoming 2024 election, which Colbert described as “the most important one of our lives.” Biden said that “our democracy is at stake.” Reflecting on his decision not to run in 2020, he cited personal loss when his son Beau died and the events in Charlottesville, Virginia. He emphasized the urgent need in 2024 to address the divisive forces that threaten the fabric of American society.
“We’re in a position where we can set the course for the next four or five, six decades in a way that can make us much much better,” he said.
Barack Obama commended Biden’s record in job creation, redirecting the conversation towards positive accomplishments often overshadowed by the Biden campaign making a negative case against Trump.
Bill Clinton echoed Obama. “We are the longest-lasting free democracy in the history of the world. One of our Republican predecessors, Dwight Eisenhower, said he worried when times got tough and arguments got hot, Americans would be strong enough to preserve their democracy. And we have to realize that in order to do that, no one is going to be right all the time,” noted Clinton.
Clinton said that Trump “let’s be honest” had a “pretty good couple of years, because he stole from Barack Obama” the state of the economy.
Colbert then asked Presidents Obama and Clinton what they miss about being president. “Is it nice to live in the White House or do you always feel like you’re in a museum?”
“I loved living there,” said Clinton. “The last time I walked out, the day before I left —
A protester erupted into whistling and profanity-laden shouts regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, disrupting the venue and bringing ongoing conversations to a halt. This was followed by additional pro-Gaza protesters. Colbert then addressed the elephant in the room.
“What do you believe the United States’ role should be going forward to ensure the most peaceful and prosperous future for the people of Israel and for Gaza?,” asked Colbert.
“There are too many innocent victims, Israeli and Palestinian. We’ve got to get more food and medicine, supplies into the Palestinians. But we can’t forget, Israel is in a position where its very existence as at stake,” said Biden.
More Gaza protesters emerged in the room.
“I won’t go into detail now. But look, I’ve been working with the Saudis and with all the other Arab countries, including Egypt and Jordan and Qatar. They’re prepared to fully recognize Israel. Fully recognize Israel for the first time,” said Biden.
“But there has to be a post-Gaza plan, and there has to be a train to a two-state solution. It doesn’t have to occur today, but there has to be a progression, and I think we can do that.”
Chants of “four more years” broke out.
After Obama briefly spoke, more protesters emerged.
“You can’t just talk and not listen,” said Obama. “That’s what the other side does.”
He revealed why he originally selected Joe Biden to be his vice president. “Because he has moral conviction and clarity. But he’s also willing to acknowledge that the world is complicated, and that he’s willing to listen to all sides in this debate and every other debate and try to see if we can find common ground. That’s the kind of president I want.”
Clinton then offered the reasons to trust Biden. “He genuinely cares about preserving the existence of Israel, which Hamas doesn’t. And he genuinely cares about giving the Palestinians a decent state of self-governance and the support they need for self-determination.”
Joe Biden, Clinton assured the audience, “wants a two-state solution.”
Biden also spoke about January 6.
“There was an insurrection happening. And here’s what happened. I was supposed to make a speech on the economy and I decided I couldn’t remain silent. So what I did was, I made a speech about January 6th, what was happening. And I said there was an insurrection underway and it must be dealt with. And I pled with the President to stop and do his job: call these people off. He sat there in the dining room off the Oval Office for several hours and watched, didn’t do a damn thing.”
The Senate and the House are out today.
The UN’s top court has ordered Israel to enable the flow of aid into Gaza to avoid a famine.
The UK has increased its aid for Sudan by almost 50%, reaching £89 million.
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And that’s a wrap for this morning March 29, 2024. Good Morning DC will be back after Easter holiday to provide you with a front-row seat to the ever-evolving landscape of American politics under President Joe Biden.
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