Biden in Philadelphia: 'I'd Be Sleeping Alone,' and China's Spy Balloon Was 'More Embarrassing Than It Was Intentional' (June 17, 2023)

After an aerial tour of the collapsed stretch of Interstate 95 in Philadelphia, President Joe Biden closed with a joke about his wife. “I might add, if I didn’t, I’d be sleeping alone. [ Laughter ] Do I have to explain—I’d better explain that—some don’t know what I’m taking about. My wife’s a Philly girl. [ Laughter ]” Biden said on June 17, 2023, according to the official transcript published by the American Presidency Project [1].

Before he left Washington, he had a different line for reporters on the tarmac. “The only reason I’m going to Philadelphia is it’s my wedding anniversary,” Biden said, according to the White House press pool [2].

And on China’s spy balloon, he said: “I think it was more embarrassing than it was intentional.” [2]

The video above shows Biden’s remarks in Philadelphia on June 17, 2023. Quotes are from the American Presidency Project and the White House pool reports [1][2][3].

”Not Figuratively, but Literally”

Biden promised fast work. “I’m directing my team—not figuratively, but literally—to move heaven and earth to get it done as soon as humanly possible,” he said [1].

“The immediate release of $3 million—it was called ‘quick release’ emergency funds—were made to offset the cost of repairs. This is just a downpayment, obviously,” Biden said [1].

He praised his infrastructure coordinator, former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, with a joke. “He—New Orleans never had any problems like tornados and hurricanes and floods and the like. But, all kidding aside, he’s on it—on this every day,” Biden said [1].

”More Embarrassing Than It Was Intentional”

On the tarmac, a reporter asked whether Secretary of State Antony Blinken could ease tensions with China. Biden answered, in the pool reporter’s transcription: “China has some legitimate difficulties unrelated to the United States. And I think one of the things that that balloon caused was not so much that it got shot down. But I don’t think the leadership knew where it was, and knew what was in it, and knew what was going on. I think it was more embarrassing than it was intentional.” [2]

“And so I’m hoping that over the next several months I’ll be meeting with Xi again,” Biden said [2].

Asked whether he would make it easier for Ukraine to join NATO, he said: “No. Because they’ve got to meet the same standards. So we’re not going to make it easy.” [2]

“It Depends on Who the Nominee Is”

Asked on the tarmac whether the 2024 campaign would turn nasty, Biden said: “It depends on who the nominee is.” On Russia’s plan to put tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, he said: “I’ve commented on that many times. It’s totally irresponsible.” [2]

Shorts on the Tarmac

The pool described the scene in Philadelphia. “Sen Fetterman (in shorts-hoodie combo), Sen Casey, Rep. Brendan Boyle, and Gov. Shapiro lined up to greet him.” one pooler wrote. “Potus walked down the main stairs at 10:37 to greet, giving a salute on the way.” [2]

“Tour lasted more than 40 minutes with some good views of the naval shipyard and center city,” the pool reported of the Marine One flight. At the hangar, “Behind him was Fetterman, still in shorts, while Casey had a white shirt and no tie.” [2]

Gov. Josh Shapiro made a promise: “We will have I-95 reopened within the next two weeks.” Of Fetterman’s remarks, the pooler wrote: “He struggled a bit with the word infrastructure, concluding by saying ‘bridges all across American getting rebuilt.’” [2]

“We’re using materials made of recycled glass, manufactured here in Delaware County, Pennsylvania,” Biden said [1]. Afterward, the pool reported, “Then he went to view jars of recycled glass - 85 percent lighter than dirt fill - being used in the project.” “This is an example of the innovation as well,” Biden said [2].

Biden described the federal share. “The Federal Government—I’ve committed we’re going to reimburse 100 percent of this phase of the work in well over the first 200 days. And then, after that, 90 percent of the work,” he said [1].

”I Grew Up Not Very Far From Here”

Biden told the crowd he knew the road. “Look, I grew up not very far from here, just across the line in Pennsylvania—I mean from Pennsylvania—in Claymont, Delaware,” he said [1].

“Over 150,000 vehicles travel on it every day, including 14,000—14,000—trucks. It’s critical,” Biden said [1].

He also complimented Pennsylvania’s governor. “And now I’m going to turn it over to the Governor, who is doing one hell of a job. He gets tired of my calls, I think, but he’s doing a hell of a job,” Biden said [1].

By the Numbers

150,000: vehicles a day on that stretch of I-95, per Biden [1].
14,000: trucks a day, per Biden [1].
$3 million: the first “quick release” emergency funds [1].
100%: the federal share of the emergency repair, per Biden [3].

What Happened Next

The road reopened early. On June 23, 2023, Biden said in a statement: “I-95 is reopening. And it’s ahead of schedule.” [3]

“This emergency repair is 100-percent federally funded, and all approvals were given as quick as possible,” the statement said [3].

For Biden’s union rally in Philadelphia the same day, see HYGO News’ page on June 17, 2023. For the White House on the spy balloon in February, see the page on Feb. 17, 2023.