At least he didn't look at his watch

Asked in a CNN interview this week when he'd turn consumer confidence around, Biden responded with exasperation.

View in browser  May 10, 2024       Stephen Collinson, Caitlin Hu and Shelby Rose At least he didn't look at his watch Then-President George H.W. Bush, Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton, and independent candidate H. Ross Perot debate in Richmond, Virginia on October 16, 1992. Presidents are among the most isolated people in the world. They spend their lives in a bubble of Secret Service Security, have their own plane and everyone they meet shows them exaggerated deference. Some struggle with coming back down to Earth when it's time to seek reelection, and find it hard to accept that many voters disdain their hard work. President Joe Biden appears to have a bit of first term-itis.   Asked in a CNN interview this week when he'd turn consumer confidence around, Biden responded with exasperation. "We have already turned it around," he said, adding "The polling data has been wrong all along. You guys do a poll at CNN. How many folks you have to call to get one response? The idea that we're in a situation where things are so bad … we have created more jobs. We have made -- we're in a situation where people have access to good-paying jobs." He's right, job creation has been on a tear. And Biden did admit that he understood inflation worried people, but he was still pretty defensive. "Let me say it this way. When I started this administration, people were saying there's going to be a collapse of the economy. We have the strongest economy in the world. Let me say it again, in the world." But telling voters things are great when they don't feel they are -- and can see the evidence in their grocery bills -- is a questionable political strategy.  Who can forget 1992 when then-President George H.W. Bush was running for reelection. He was asked: "How can you find a cure for the economic problems of the common people if you have no experience of what is ailing them?"   Bush got off to a bad start by looking at his watch, making it look like he'd rather be anywhere else in the world, then offered a halting and confusing answer that ended with "of course you feel it when you are President of the United States and that is why I am trying to do something about it."     His rival, Bill Clinton then stood up and gave notice of his burning "feel your pain" political talent. He directly addressed the questioner, said that as Arkansas governor he knew by name many people who lost their jobs and told the nation that the vote had "better be about what kind of economic theory you want. Not just people saying, 'I want to go fix it.'" A few months later, Clinton was in the White House. Sign up for Meanwhile in America The world and America Biden's threat to halt weapons shipments to Israel has sent shockwaves through the Israeli government.   A major Japanese food supplier recalled more than 100,000 packs of a popular brand of sliced white bread after rat parts were found inside some loaves.   And more intense rain is expected as Brazil's flood death toll reaches 107.   Meanwhile in America, Donald Trump's lawyers continued their attack on the credibility of adult film actor Stormy Daniels on the 14th day of the former president's hush money trial.   The US is in the grips of a tornado frenzy.   And a Florida man was arrested in relation to the disappearance of his wife in Spain. 'What's going on in America is a BIG concern' After a week of polarizing news, here's some of the thoughtful commentary we received from Meanwhile readers.   Several readers said they appreciated Meanwhile's coverage of US President Joe Biden's May 7 speech at a Holocaust remembrance ceremony at the US Capitol, when Biden assured listeners that his "commitment to the safety of the Jewish people, the security of Israel, and its right to exist as an independent Jewish state is ironclad. Even when we disagree."   But reader Reinze said he was frustrated by Biden's announcement on CNN the following day, that suggested a sudden new red line for weapons shipments to Israel, seven months into the Israel-Hamas war and ahead of an anticipated major attack on the southern Gaza city of Rafah.   "Biden has given Israel's government total personal support, financing support, military support despite concerns expressed by America's citizens," wrote Reinze. "Then he plans to send more weapons, but pauses the shipment stating 'Oh, no, no, no, you're going to continue to murder civilians and for some reason that bothers me, today.'"   Mark, meanwhile, felt presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. hasn't been given a fair shake in the press, pointing out that headlines about his claim a worm once ate part of his brain have recently overshadowed the independent presidential candidate's political arguments.   And many others emphasized general concern about how the presidential election in November could impact the rest of the world – a recurrent theme in readers' letters to Meanwhile.   "In these dangerous times, when the world needs your great, great country most, you have a lunatic who says he's sent from God …who may become the next president," wrote Michael in Dublin (apparently referring to former President Donald Trump, who in 2019 claimed, "I'm the chosen one.")   No matter who wins, wrote Kenneth in Finland, "What's going on in America, is a BIG concern and issue for the whole of Europe, and now that my country is a member of NATO." Thanks for reading.    On Friday, the United Nations General Assembly is set to vote on a draft resolution to recognize Palestine as a full UN member.    On Saturday, 2024 Republican presidential candidate and former president Donald Trump delivers remarks at a campaign rally in Wildwood, New Jersey.  On Sunday, Lithuania holds a presidential vote. What did you think of today's email? Send us feedback: meanwhile@cnn.com   You are receiving this newsletter because you signed up for Meanwhile in America. To stop receiving this newsletter, unsubscribe or sign up to manage your CNN account   Learn more about the CNN app |  Get CNN web alerts  |  Sign up for a free CNN account   ® © 2024 Cable News Network. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved. 1050 Techwood Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30318