During the former president’s first trip back since leaving office, supporters disregarded Joe Biden and flocked to Barack Obama, leaving Biden looking befuddled.
Biden, 79, was caught on camera Tuesday waving his hands in gentle irritation as he was ignored by a gathering of people who instead hurried to welcome Obama, 60.
His former vice president invited the 43rd president back to his old house to commemorate the 12th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.
Obama, 60, and Biden, 79, were in the same room to announce the Biden administration’s plan to ‘fix’ the Affordable Care Act’s so-called ‘family glitch.’
The occasion had been a lovefest between the two leaders until Biden was ignored in favour of his charismatic predecessor, with both men laughing about their time together during Obama’s presidency. They hugged, joked, and laughed as the Democrats cheered and applauded from the East Room, which was packed to the rafters.
Obama began his speech by joking that he was joined by ‘Vice President Biden,’ and that’some adjustments had been made’ in the five years since he departed, including all Secret Service members being ‘forced to wear aviators,’ and a ‘cat running around’ the White House. He even made a joke about wearing a tie for the day.
‘Thank you very much. Vice President Joe Biden is a Democrat. ‘Vice President, that was a joke,’ Obama joked, eliciting a round of applause.
‘That was all set up,’ he said one more. Joe Biden, my president.’
However, after his address, Obama was seen shaking hands with supporters and fellow lawmakers in the East Room, while Biden, the oldest president in history, strolled around seeming perplexed.
Joe Biden: Hey! Someone Look to me.. I'm President of USA!! šš pic.twitter.com/hSoiycEYrL
— Rosy (@rose_k01) April 6, 2022
In another video, Biden can be seen standing behind Obama and Vice President Kamala Harris as they shake hands with strangers, yet no one seems to notice him.
It’s not surprise that Obama is attracting all of the attention, given how popular he is among his own party’s members.
He also appears to be much more dynamic than Biden, who is on track to lose the midterm elections.
Several surveys show Biden with a terrible 39 percent approval rating, while a Real Clear Politics average shows the president with a 53.7 percent disapproval rating.
The video has sparked debate online, with some claiming that the president was outshone by his former employer and that he lacks respect even in his own White House.
‘I almost feel horrible seeing this,’ one person tweeted, while another said, ‘The man who allegedly garnered 80 million votes…but can’t find a single buddy in a crowded room.’
People should have approached Joe out of respect, according to one witness: ‘Sad, you can sense he is lost.’ At the very least, respect the office and treat the man with courtesy. ‘I don’t agree with his policy or the Democrats, but if no one else would, I would have spoken with him,’ they tweeted.
Another individual posted, ‘I suppose we know who’s really running the White House and it ain’t Joe!’
