Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden’s first virtual town hall on Friday was denounced as “an absolute technical nightmare.”
Biden had been scheduled to hold a traditional campaign event in Illinois on Friday.
However, in light of restrictions on gatherings that are being put in place in response to the coronavirus outbreak, the campaign decided to make the event a virtual town hall.
As CNN reported, the event was pushed back by two hours from its original start time, and then still started 15 minutes late.
Makena Kelly, who dissected the event for The Verge, explained what greeted her when she clicked in.
“When I logged onto Joe Biden’s first-ever virtual town hall, I was greeted with one Illinois senator adjusting the angle of her webcam and another showing off an adorable (but screaming) baby in an oddly intimate video call before the former vice president even appeared onscreen,” she wrote in her piece, which was titled simply, “Joe Biden’s first virtual town hall was an absolute technical nightmare.”
“What was at first an awkwardly silent video conference evolved into a complete technical nightmare that resulted in Biden sounding as if he was screaming in TV static for the first few minutes of the event,” she wrote.
Fact Check: Did Trump Callously Ignore the Man Who Collapsed in the Oval Office?
Former Capitol Police Officer Accused in Jan 6 Pipe Bomb Plot By Journalist Investigation Matching Suspect’s Gait
Manhunt underway after gunman allegedly fires at federal agents during Chicago immigration enforcement action
Senate in limbo as Thune eyes long-haul until shutdown ends
Former TV anchor charged with first-degree murder in stabbing death of 80-year-old mother: DA
North Carolina Democrat switches to GOP for gerrymandering campaign against Moore
Pelosi earned more than $130 million in stock profits, return of 16,930%, during time in Congress: report
Iraq War documentary, once shelved by PBS, sees the light 17 years later
Eric Trump Erupts on Podcaster for Suggesting Siege Against His Family Was Just Normal Politics
Social media erupts after far-left mayor gives victory speech in foreign language: ‘Humiliating’
Dem House hopeful vows to help working class despite record of hiking taxes
DOJ probe into Black Lives Matter finances deepens as group cuts ties with top board member
Surprising California Governor Poll Finds Dem Katie Porter Falling Behind GOP Opponent
Patriot or ‘Pathetic RINO’? Maverick Republican Thomas Massie trades ‘America First’ label for ‘America only’
Biden slams Trump for ‘taking a wrecking ball’ to democracy: ‘I’m angry’
Those attending the event pointed out the problems.
In fact, the first question was actually a critique from a viewer who noted, “Mr. Biden’s speech was garbly the entire time.”
Biden also seemed flummoxed by the technology.
“Am I live?” he said when the third questioner of the evening was speaking.
“Am I on camera?” he said as the fourth person asked a question.
Near the end of the town hall event, Biden wandered off screen.
At one point, only the back half of his head was visible.
While he soon came back, the campaign eventually decided that was enough. The video stream was cut, and the rest of the event was audio only:
Fact Check: Did Trump Callously Ignore the Man Who Collapsed in the Oval Office?
Former Capitol Police Officer Accused in Jan 6 Pipe Bomb Plot By Journalist Investigation Matching Suspect’s Gait
Manhunt underway after gunman allegedly fires at federal agents during Chicago immigration enforcement action
Senate in limbo as Thune eyes long-haul until shutdown ends
Former TV anchor charged with first-degree murder in stabbing death of 80-year-old mother: DA
North Carolina Democrat switches to GOP for gerrymandering campaign against Moore
Pelosi earned more than $130 million in stock profits, return of 16,930%, during time in Congress: report
Iraq War documentary, once shelved by PBS, sees the light 17 years later
Eric Trump Erupts on Podcaster for Suggesting Siege Against His Family Was Just Normal Politics
Social media erupts after far-left mayor gives victory speech in foreign language: ‘Humiliating’
Dem House hopeful vows to help working class despite record of hiking taxes
DOJ probe into Black Lives Matter finances deepens as group cuts ties with top board member
Surprising California Governor Poll Finds Dem Katie Porter Falling Behind GOP Opponent
Patriot or ‘Pathetic RINO’? Maverick Republican Thomas Massie trades ‘America First’ label for ‘America only’
Biden slams Trump for ‘taking a wrecking ball’ to democracy: ‘I’m angry’
Before Biden signed off, he made a comment that summed up the evening, according to Breitbart.
“I’m sorry this is such a disjointed effort here,” Biden said.
Twitter was not kind to the event:
What’s he talking about? Wow.
— Scott Sheridan (@SSheridan74) March 14, 2020
This is part of the virtual town hall the Biden campaign wouldn't post
Garbled/cut out audio, blank screens, randomly going live to unsuspecting participants
A complete disaster pic.twitter.com/eLGgHyPm91
— Zach Parkinson (@AZachParkinson) March 14, 2020
Fact Check: Did Trump Callously Ignore the Man Who Collapsed in the Oval Office?
Former Capitol Police Officer Accused in Jan 6 Pipe Bomb Plot By Journalist Investigation Matching Suspect’s Gait
Manhunt underway after gunman allegedly fires at federal agents during Chicago immigration enforcement action
Senate in limbo as Thune eyes long-haul until shutdown ends
Former TV anchor charged with first-degree murder in stabbing death of 80-year-old mother: DA
North Carolina Democrat switches to GOP for gerrymandering campaign against Moore
Pelosi earned more than $130 million in stock profits, return of 16,930%, during time in Congress: report
Iraq War documentary, once shelved by PBS, sees the light 17 years later
Eric Trump Erupts on Podcaster for Suggesting Siege Against His Family Was Just Normal Politics
Social media erupts after far-left mayor gives victory speech in foreign language: ‘Humiliating’
Dem House hopeful vows to help working class despite record of hiking taxes
DOJ probe into Black Lives Matter finances deepens as group cuts ties with top board member
Surprising California Governor Poll Finds Dem Katie Porter Falling Behind GOP Opponent
Patriot or ‘Pathetic RINO’? Maverick Republican Thomas Massie trades ‘America First’ label for ‘America only’
Biden slams Trump for ‘taking a wrecking ball’ to democracy: ‘I’m angry’
Joe Biden is the worst presidential candidate of all-time.pic.twitter.com/rEVyjBy7hu
— Jason Howerton (@jason_howerton) March 14, 2020
“Biden’s first-ever virtual town hall was a sorry first sign for the future of digital campaigning, something that will become ever more important as the presidential race heats up and coronavirus spreads across the country,” Kelly wrote.
“Hopefully the Biden campaign and others can get it together before November, or at least until the pandemic fades.”
Story cited here.
