Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2022

August 8, 2022

The President. Is it hot enough? [Laughter]

Q. Just slightly.

The President. Anyway, I think it was a good day. We're going to get a lot done down in Kentucky. I think they're going to be able to be in good shape. And the Governor is really working. There's a real bipartisan effort down there, so I'm very hopeful. Very hopeful.

Bipartisanship

Q. Do you think people are listening to your bipartisan message, which you keep repeating? You were saying it today.

The President. Well, Iâyou knowââ

Q. Are Americans listening? Because you areâI'm sorry to say that you'reâin the pollsâ with due respect, in the polls, you're veryâyou know, your polls are terrible. But your message seems to be reaching out to people. Why aren't they hearing it?

The President. Well, it's a long way home. You know, it'sâthe fact is that we've been divided for so long, and it's only recently that we have any kind of a movement. And I think you're going to see a lot change.

Senate Minority Leader A. Mitchell McConnell

Q. Did you invite Leader McConnell on this trip today?

The President. I talked to him. Iâhe knewââ

Q. Did you invite him today?

The President. Iâhe knows he's always invited. I invited him the first time I went down.

Q. Do you wish he would have joined you?

The President. No, I don't think so. I don't think he has to. He's got aâhe's got a Senate to

run.

Flooding in Eastern Kentucky/Response and Recovery Efforts

Q. What was your message to theâwhat was your message to the families and the flood victims whose homes were damaged? When you were talking with them, what was your message to them?

The President. My message was: We're going to stay until they're fixed. Thanks.

Q. Thank you, Mr. President.

NOTE: The President spoke at 4:15 p.m. on the tarmac at Blue Grass Airport prior to boarding Air Force One en route to Joint Base Andrews, MD. In his remarks, he referred to Gov. Andrew G. Beshear of Kentucky. The transcript was released by the Office of the Press Secretary August 9.

Categories: Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters :: Lexington, KY.

Locations: Lexington, KY.

Names: Beshear, Andrew G.; McConnell, A. Mitchell.

Subjects: Communications : News media :: Presidential interviews; Congress : Bipartisanship; Congress : Senate :: Minority leader; Kentucky : Flooding, damage and recovery efforts; Kentucky : Governor; Kentucky : President's visits.

DCPD Number: DCPD202200701.