You are a Democratic senator in a purple state, trying to head off a challenge from a strong Republican candidate.
You have crafted a centrist position, carefully distancing yourself from an unpopular president and his policies on the economy and the border.
Then, on live TV, you are asked whether Joe Biden is doing a good job.
‘Hey, you know … ‘ said Sen. Mark Kelly, who looked like he would be squirming in his chair if only he weren’t standing.
‘You know… er … It’s not my job to give him a report card. I would say you know, mixed reviews, you know, on certain things.’
During his appearance on CBS5 News, Kelly faced a barrage of questions about his thoughts on Biden.
And it did not go well, despite the fairly obvious line of questioning.
Sen. Mark Kelly appeared on Politics Unplugged, broadcast on local Arizona TV, where he was asked a string of questions about President Joe Biden. It did not go well
Host Dennis Welsh asked whether Kelly, who is in a tight race, thought Biden was doing a good job. Kelly was briefly lost for words before saying, ‘It’s not my job to give him a report card’
Kelly said he had not even seen Biden’s speech attacking MAGA Republicans, and would not even commit to appearing with the president in Arizona during the campaign
Kelly holds a narrow two-point lead over Trump-backed Republican challenger Blake Masters, according to a new Emerson College poll.
Biden has been seen as a liability by candidates around the country. His ratings have ticked up in the past month, but some have avoided public appearances with the president for fear his handling of the economy could cost them victory.
In recent weeks he has gone on the offensive, blasting Donald Trump and Republicans who back strict abortion laws as ‘MAGA Republicans’ which could alienate some conservatives thinking of switching sides.
Kelly looked to be on the defensive when host Dennis Welsh brought up that theme and Biden’s recent speech suggesting that Trump-endorsed candidates were a threat to democracy.
He was asked: ‘You agree with the president?’
‘Well, I didn’t watch the speech,’ Kelly replied.
‘I think the president has the right to give his opinion. I don’t share every opinion with our president.’
So what if Biden’s was coming to Arizona? Would Kelly campaign with him?
‘I invite anybody to come out here,’ said Kelly.
‘We’ve got significant issues in the state of Arizona. You know, the water crisis is something I’ve been working really hard to address the billion dollars in the infrastructure bill for that; $4 billion in the Inflation Reduction Act to deal with the immediate needs of the crisis.
‘So if anybody comes to Arizona, I’m looking to show him, you know, what do we need from the federal government?’
Kelly is in a tight match-up with Trump-endorsed Blake Master for his Senate seat
Welsh pressed him: And so if he came out here held an event you’d attend that event?’
‘Certainly, I would certainly consider it,’ said Kelly.
‘I mean, I could be in Washington, you know, voting on important legislation. I mean, that’s a possibility.’
Welsh continued: ‘But if you were free, you’d gladly go?’
‘It would depend on what the event was where it was,’ Kelly hedged. ‘And you know what’s the goal.’
He did at least deliver something of a report card on Biden’s performance.
‘I’ve had issues with how Afghanistan ended,’ he said.
‘On the other hand, as the chairman of the emerging threats and capabilities subcommittee… You know, I’ve worked really hard with this administration to make sure that the Ukrainians get the weapons and weapon systems they need to be effective against the Russians…
‘And I think the administration, you know, I’d give them, you know, high marks on them.’