Week in Review: Biden’s Europe Gaffes, Jackson Can’t Define “Woman,” Cruz Blocked From Getting Answers, 34% Approval

The week of 3/27/2022 was dominated by Biden’s gaffe-filled Europe trip — “sanctions never deter,” “disseminate food shortages,” “don’t jump,” and suggesting troops would enter Ukraine — alongside the Jackson confirmation hearings where she said “I’m not a biologist” when asked to define “woman,” Democrats blocked Cruz from getting answers, and Jackson said she “regretted” that senators focused on her sentencing cases. Biden’s approval hit 34%.

Biden’s Europe Trip Recap

Analysts catalogued the week’s blunders. “He said sanctions were not meant to deter — his entire administration has contradicted him on that point,” an analyst said. “He said he’s hoping to ‘increase and disseminate food shortages.’ He told the 82nd Airborne ‘don’t jump.’ And the worst blunder of his presidency — suggesting that American troops were going to get involved in Ukraine.”

The administration’s own officials were shown contradicting Biden in real time. Psaki had said “sanctions are intended to deter.” An official had said “the purpose is to deter, to prevent a war.” Harris had said “the purpose of the sanctions has always been and continues to be deterrence.” Then Biden said: “Sanctions never deter. You keep talking about that.”

Jackson: “I’m Not a Biologist”

The confirmation hearing’s most viral moment was replayed. “Can you provide a definition for the word ‘woman’?” Blackburn asked. “I can’t. Not in this context. I’m not a biologist,” Jackson said.

Blackburn noted the irony. “Judge Jackson clearly is firmly placed in the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. When I asked her to define ‘woman,’ she wouldn’t even give me a definition. And here we have a nominee who cannot define ‘woman.’”

Cruz vs. Durbin: “Why Are You Afraid?”

The heated exchange between Cruz and Chairman Durbin was a signature moment. Cruz pressed Jackson on a specific sentencing case. When Durbin tried to cut him off, Cruz demanded: “Will you allow her to answer the question, Chairman Durbin? Why are you not allowing her to answer? I’ve never seen a chairman refuse to allow a witness to answer a question.”

“You can bang it as loud as you want,” Durbin replied.

“Why are you afraid of her?” Cruz asked. “She’s welcome to answer it right now.”

Jackson “Regrets” the Questions

Jackson revealed what she actually regretted. “What I regret is that in a hearing about my qualifications, we’ve spent a lot of time focusing on this small subset of my sentences,” she said.

Cruz responded: “You regret that we’re focusing on your cases? I don’t understand.”

When pressed on specific sentencing decisions, Jackson refused to engage. “Senator, I’ve answered this question. I’ll stand on my answer.” Cruz told her: “You haven’t answered my question. I’m sitting here asking you and you’re declining to answer.”

Kavanaugh Comparison

Graham reminded the committee of the contrast with Kavanaugh’s hearings. “He was literally ambushed. How would you feel if we did that to you?” Graham asked Jackson. He promised: “I would never do that to you. I would not disclose it at the last minute and give it to a newspaper.”

34% Approval

“Biden’s approval numbers are still just at 34%,” an analyst reported. “Doesn’t spell good news for the midterms. I’m surprised it’s that high.”

The White House had hoped the wartime setting would boost Biden’s image. “Hasn’t worked. It’s not going to work,” the analyst said.

Border: “Starting From Scratch”

In Carrizo Springs, Texas, officials were blindsided by migrant releases. “We’re starting from scratch, literally. Here there’s nothing at this point in place,” a local official said.

The Week in Context

The convergence of these stories — Biden’s Europe gaffes, Jackson’s inability to define “woman,” Democrats blocking Cruz’s questions, and 34% approval — painted a picture of an administration struggling on every front simultaneously. The foreign policy trip that was supposed to project strength instead generated headlines about walkbacks. The Supreme Court hearing that was supposed to be a coronation instead produced the most-shared clip of the year. And the approval numbers confirmed that none of it was working.

For Democratic incumbents facing midterm elections, the week was a worst-case scenario: their president generating negative headlines abroad while their signature judicial nominee generated viral moments at home.

Key Takeaways

• Biden’s Europe trip produced four major gaffes: “sanctions never deter,” “disseminate food shortages,” “don’t jump,” and suggesting troops would enter Ukraine.
• Jackson said “I’m not a biologist” when asked to define “woman” and “regretted” that senators focused on her sentencing record.
• Democrats blocked Cruz from getting Jackson’s answers on sentencing; Cruz asked “why are you afraid of her?”
• Biden’s approval sat at 34% despite the wartime setting; an analyst said “I’m surprised it’s that high.”
• Small Texas towns were “starting from scratch” to handle migrant releases with “nothing in place.”

Transcript Highlights

The following is transcribed from the video audio (unverified — AI-generated from audio).

• Sanctions never deter. You keep talking about that. But: the purpose of the sanctions has always been and continues to be deterrence.
• Can you provide a definition for the word woman? I can’t. I’m not a biologist.
• Will you allow her to answer the question? Why are you afraid of her? I’ve never seen a chairman refuse to allow a witness to answer.
• What I regret is that we’ve spent a lot of time focusing on this small subset of my sentences.
• Biden’s approval still at 34%. I’m surprised it’s that high.
• We’re starting from scratch, literally. Here there’s nothing in place.

Full transcript: 1618 words transcribed via Whisper AI.