The Republican National Committee fired off a new attack on President Joe Biden on Monday, but it wasn’t quite the dunk the RNC thought it was.
In fact, many critics of the organization said the attack had the opposite effect ― portraying the president as decent and empathetic during an exchange with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) during a visit to the state, which has suffered from devastating floods.
Although Biden promised federal relief to help rebuild, the RNC’s “research” feed on Twitter highlighted this moment:
BIDEN: "May I say something?"
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) August 8, 2022
GOV. BESHEAR: "You're the president."
BIDEN: "I still have to ask permission." pic.twitter.com/A2sJSgt4MV
Critics were quick to call them out over it:
“Holy shit Joe Biden was just polite to somebody. What an idiot! This is going to be the end of him. Post post post!” - @RNCResearch
— Josh Schwerin (@JoshSchwerin) August 8, 2022
"the president is polite and treats people with respect" is not the dunk you think it is dodos
— Alex גדעון בן װעלװל (@JewishWonk) August 8, 2022
Next time these clowns try to tell you that they are the party of morality and decency, just remember that they think it's a *bad* thing to be polite. https://t.co/NqcE7OgiTv
— Ari Cohn (@AriCohn) August 8, 2022
I am convinced more and more that whoever runs this account is a rouge Biden backer..
— Shannon in Ohio 4 (@ShannonFreshour) August 9, 2022
They always make him look good in their terrible hits https://t.co/MpGjfLlAQi
This just in:
— Jamal Igle (@JAMALIGLE) August 9, 2022
Joe Biden was raised correctly. https://t.co/U56AJQ82b5
lol you guys are so weird
— Max Kennerly (@MaxKennerly) August 8, 2022
Weird that @GOP is tweeting stuff that makes @POTUS @JoeBiden look like the decent and polite gentleman he is. https://t.co/Ov5Kx22v7O
— Navin Pokala (@NavinPokala) August 8, 2022
Courtesy and humility are virtues--especially coming from the most powerful person on earth.
— Ritchie Torres (@RitchieTorres) August 8, 2022
The decency of Joe Biden offers a profound contrast to the pathological narcissism of Donald Trump. https://t.co/cpGSTRS8RU
Wow. I get that y'all love TFG and his special brand of rudeness, but ragging on Biden's politeness isn't the flex you think it is. In fact, it says a lot about the way you think more than anything.
— stephani chapman. 🥞🥓🍳🥂 (@stephibug) August 8, 2022
The fact that he laughs and says, "Kidding aside" here is what really makes this an even more extraordinarily weird hit. Admittedly, mild self effacing humor is not in today's GOP wheelhouse. https://t.co/MntIUiN88G
— Schooley (@Rschooley) August 8, 2022
Imagine being so far gone as a political movement you think this video of the President of the United States showing humility and respect during a meeting on emergency relief is somehow damning. https://t.co/6ug70DcmbX
— Dmitry Grozoubinski (@DmitryOpines) August 8, 2022
It is profoundly revealing, and not in a good way, that the people posting this think it makes Biden look bad https://t.co/Z2YUQPMaqd
— Yair Rosenberg (@Yair_Rosenberg) August 8, 2022
What an absolutely bizarre party and political movement. I have no idea what this is supposed to be, but anyone who believes this is a (1) gotcha, (2) sick burn or (3) Biden character flaw should be kept as far as possible from the levers of power. https://t.co/g3ZaSBjs5S
— Joe Rossi (@JoeLATrib) August 8, 2022
What are they researching, how to make Biden seem charming? https://t.co/9NQUICmks4
— Tommy moderna-vaX-Topher (@tommyxtopher) August 8, 2022
More than what you say, people remember how you make them feel. Treating other people with respect even when you don't have to is one of the best habits anyone can work on for building a better life. It's all the better that the most powerful man in the world still practices it. https://t.co/lFhKa604Ge
— Warren Rhea 🌐 (@EverydayWarren) August 8, 2022
Man, what's going on at the RNC that it feels the need to show Biden being mannerly to a governor during a visit to a disaster-ridden state? https://t.co/AJ03vJKXkV
— Robert A George (@RobGeorge) August 8, 2022
RNC dunking on the president for... being polite? https://t.co/NBFpqGmQEg
— Neoliberal 🌐🇺🇦 (@ne0liberal) August 8, 2022
It's so weird that you think common courtesy is a character flaw. https://t.co/e2M8HASByb
— Daniel W. Drezner (@dandrezner) August 8, 2022
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.