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.
Justice Thomas recalls why he wasn’t friends with Alito in law school: ‘Clarence, you were scary’
Trump’s lawyers put Dem AG on notice for targeting his family in NY fraud fight: ‘Cannot stand’
Evacuation Ordered After Canadian-Owned Gas Pipeline Springs Major Leak in US
Former NBA Star Posts Shocking, Manic Videos Asking His Coach for ‘Help’
NFL owner’s prostitution arrest puts top Dem committee on defense: ‘So desperate for cash’
Former Texas high school teacher arrested after probe into inappropriate student relationship
Jelly Roll Doubles Down, Tells Trump Supporters to Stop Listening to His Music
Judge clears path for ICE agent accused in Minnesota shooting case to leave Texas jail
Watch: UK Royal Family Stages Incredible Tribute to Dolly Parton at Buckingham Palace
America’s heartland comes face-to-face with 9/11 history as 25th anniversary nears
Democrat officials charged for allegedly scamming COVID relief funds
Trump scores federal court win against House progressive accused of assaulting ICE
Dem Candidate, Music Superstar With Sick Sexual History Defended Fellow Musician’s Video In Which He Gropes and Kills Woman
Breaking: ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ Star Tim Curry Dies at 80
Netanyahu claims his son was targeted for assassination by Iran
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:
Justice Thomas recalls why he wasn’t friends with Alito in law school: ‘Clarence, you were scary’
Trump’s lawyers put Dem AG on notice for targeting his family in NY fraud fight: ‘Cannot stand’
Evacuation Ordered After Canadian-Owned Gas Pipeline Springs Major Leak in US
Former NBA Star Posts Shocking, Manic Videos Asking His Coach for ‘Help’
NFL owner’s prostitution arrest puts top Dem committee on defense: ‘So desperate for cash’
Former Texas high school teacher arrested after probe into inappropriate student relationship
Jelly Roll Doubles Down, Tells Trump Supporters to Stop Listening to His Music
Judge clears path for ICE agent accused in Minnesota shooting case to leave Texas jail
Watch: UK Royal Family Stages Incredible Tribute to Dolly Parton at Buckingham Palace
America’s heartland comes face-to-face with 9/11 history as 25th anniversary nears
Democrat officials charged for allegedly scamming COVID relief funds
Trump scores federal court win against House progressive accused of assaulting ICE
Dem Candidate, Music Superstar With Sick Sexual History Defended Fellow Musician’s Video In Which He Gropes and Kills Woman
Breaking: ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ Star Tim Curry Dies at 80
Netanyahu claims his son was targeted for assassination by Iran
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
Justice Thomas recalls why he wasn’t friends with Alito in law school: ‘Clarence, you were scary’
Trump’s lawyers put Dem AG on notice for targeting his family in NY fraud fight: ‘Cannot stand’
Evacuation Ordered After Canadian-Owned Gas Pipeline Springs Major Leak in US
Former NBA Star Posts Shocking, Manic Videos Asking His Coach for ‘Help’
NFL owner’s prostitution arrest puts top Dem committee on defense: ‘So desperate for cash’
Former Texas high school teacher arrested after probe into inappropriate student relationship
Jelly Roll Doubles Down, Tells Trump Supporters to Stop Listening to His Music
Judge clears path for ICE agent accused in Minnesota shooting case to leave Texas jail
Watch: UK Royal Family Stages Incredible Tribute to Dolly Parton at Buckingham Palace
America’s heartland comes face-to-face with 9/11 history as 25th anniversary nears
Democrat officials charged for allegedly scamming COVID relief funds
Trump scores federal court win against House progressive accused of assaulting ICE
Dem Candidate, Music Superstar With Sick Sexual History Defended Fellow Musician’s Video In Which He Gropes and Kills Woman
Breaking: ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ Star Tim Curry Dies at 80
Netanyahu claims his son was targeted for assassination by Iran
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.
