President Joe Biden sat down for a joint interview alongside former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama on the comedy podcast “Smartless” hosted by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett. This unconventional choice of media platform rather than traditional news organizations highlights Biden’s media strategy as he prepares for a high-stakes reelection with democracy at stake. Despite the perception of Biden avoiding the media spotlight, he has engaged in multiple interviews this year, particularly with the Black and Hispanic press, focusing on local radio stations and outlets reaching specific community groups.
Michael Tyler, the Biden campaign communications director, emphasized the importance of prioritizing interviews with outlets that reach targeted constituencies in order to directly communicate with the voters who will decide the election outcome. While Biden has been less inclined to grant one-on-one sit-down interviews with the national press, participating in fewer interviews than his predecessors, he has made efforts to engage with new and non-traditional forms of media. However, opting to skip traditional appearances like the pre-Super Bowl interview has raised questions about Biden’s decision to avoid speaking to larger national audiences.
Biden’s reluctance to speak with the traditional news media may stem from frustration with how the press has covered him and his campaign, with criticisms of disproportionate coverage on certain issues. By avoiding the Beltway press and focusing on other forms of media, Biden can stay connected with voters while sidestepping repeated questions on uncomfortable topics. While this strategy allows Biden to focus on substance and issues that matter to voters, he may still face tough questioning on the campaign, policy, and foreign affairs in interviews with national news outlets.
While Biden’s use of targeted interviews may be effective in reaching specific communities and avoiding uncomfortable questions, the bypassing of the Beltway press ultimately limits his reach and exposure to broader audiences. As the 2024 campaign intensifies, Biden may need to broaden his media strategy to include interviews with platforms with wider reach. While Biden is not the first to bypass the traditional press and prioritize alternative methods of media engagement, the need to reach a broader audience may require shifting tactics as the campaign progresses.
