During his typically humorless monologue early on Thursday, Late Night host Seth Meyers praised President Biden's vaccine distribution record, contrasting it with that of "President Outbreak Monkey." But, it was not all good news, as he also condemned Biden for not being far enough to the left.
Meyers began by noting how Republican governors have spoke highly of their partnership with the White House in administering vaccines, "Huh so, it turns out you can just buy more of a life-saving vaccine, and give more of it out, and both Republicans and Democrats will thank you for it? I'm no political genius, but that seems like a slightly better strategy than, I don't know, personally trying to spread the disease to as many people as you can, like President Outbreak Monkey. Sorry -- former President Outbreak Monkey."
In addition to burning strawmen and ignoring that it was the Trump White House bought and supplied the initial doses, Meyers preemptively rebutted comparisons between bipartisan praise for Trump and bipartisan praise for Biden, "I mean, there were times when Democratic governors praised Trump, but it was with the dead eyes of a hostage who worried they’d have their bathroom privileges revoked."
But, just in case anyone thought Biden was doing an excellent job, Meyers was there to remind everyone that Biden hasn't gone hard enough to the left, "By the way, none of this means Biden hasn't made some mistakes, or that there haven't been disappointments with some of his early moves. There have. For one thing, he seems resigned to dropping a minimum wage increase from the COVID relief plan, despite its overwhelming popularity in the polls, and strong support from Senate Democrats."
This is the same Socialist Seth that insisted AOC was right that "Medicare for All" -- banning all private health insurance -- "makes basic sense to people."
Despite Biden's claims he supports cancelling up to $10,000 in student loan debt, Meyers lamented "he's shot down proposals to cancel $50,000 in student debt, which also has majority support in polls, and would be a huge boon to the economy."
Meyers then played a clip of Biden at his recent CNN town hall being asked, "What will you do to make that happen?" To which Biden, responded "I will not make that happen."
After replacing the questioner with himself and replaying the "I will not make that happen" clip two more times, Meyers again lamented that Biden will not cancel $50,000 of student loan debt, "Damn, that is not the answer I wanted to hear, but I do appreciate his directness the last guy answered questions the way a plane circles JFK when it's foggy. Say what you will about Biden, but in many ways, he is the exact opposite of Trump."
This segment was sponsored by Kohl's.
Here is a transcript for the February 25 show:
NBC
Late Night with Seth Meyers
12:47 AM ET
SETH MEYERS: Huh so, it turns out you can just buy more of a life-saving vaccine, and give more of it out, and both Republicans and Democrats will thank you for it? I'm no political genius, but that seems like a slightly better strategy than, I don't know, personally trying to spread the disease to as many people as you can, like President Outbreak Monkey. Sorry, former President Outbreak Monkey.
I mean, there were times when Democratic governors praised Trump, but it was with the dead eyes of a hostage who worried they’d have their bathroom privileges revoked about criticize Biden,… the governor's mansion with a football and say, "You and I are gonna toss this pigskin back and forth until we find some middle ground." "Oh, actually, Mr. President, I was just about to go out." "You're damn right you're going out. Down and out hut-hut! Everyone's my friend."
By the way, none of this means Biden hasn't made some mistakes, or that there haven't been disappointments with some of his early moves. There have. For one thing, he seems resigned to dropping a minimum wage increase from the COVID relief plan, despite its overwhelming popularity in the polls, and strong support from Senate Democrats. Like Chuck Schumer and Bernie Sanders he's flirted with narrowing the eligibility for direct payments. And he's shot down proposals to cancel $50,000 in student debt, which also has majority support in polls, and would be a huge boon to the economy.
BEGIN CLIP
JOCELYN FISH: We need student loan forgiveness beyond the potential $10,000 your administration has proposed we need at least a $50,000 minimum. What will you do to make that happen?JOE BIDEN: I will not make that happen.
END CLIP
MEYERS: Okay, enough of your Washington Beltway doublespeak are you gonna make it happen or not?BEGIN CLIP
BIDEN: I will not make that happenEND CLIP
MEYERS: Oh, you D.C. charlatans, always trying to have it both ways. Are you gonna make it happen?
BEGIN CLIP
BIDEN: I will not make that happenEND CLIP
MEYERS: Damn, that is not the answer I wanted to hear, but I do appreciate his directness the last guy answered questions the way a plane circles JFK when it's foggy. Say what you will about Biden, but in many ways, he is the exact opposite of Trump.
