Reporter: Why No Press at Biden-McCarthy Meeting? KJP: McCarthy Welcome to Take Questions

In February 2023, a reporter challenged White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre about the decision not to allow press visibility into the Biden-McCarthy meeting. “Can you explain the decision not to offer the public visibility on this meeting? It’s tradition for the press to be brought in when the president speaks to the speaker,” the reporter asked. KJP deflected: “Not all the time the president has had many conversations, one-on-one conversations with member of Congress totally understand I get the question and understand why there is interest in this but we have done it many times before where we’ve had private one-on-one speaker Speaker McCarthy is welcome to go to the sticks after the meeting and take your questions. We welcome that if that is something that he wishes to do.”

The Press Access Question

Question:

Public visibility — Denied.

Tradition — Cited.

Speaker meeting — Historic.

Press usual — Standard practice.

Deviation noted — Professional inquiry.

The press access question about the Biden-McCarthy meeting was substantive. Public visibility denied through closed meeting format. Tradition of press presence for Speaker meetings historically. Deviation from standard practice noted professionally.

”Tradition for the Press to Be Brought In”

Tradition:

Historical practice — Invoked.

Speaker meetings — Usually covered.

Press pool — Traditional access.

Accountability — Function.

Democratic norm — Valued.

The tradition invocation was accurate. Press had historically been brought in for Speaker meetings at beginning at least. Press pool coverage traditional. Accountability function served through access. Democratic norm valued.

”Not All the Time”

KJP defense:

Exception framing — Used.

Not absolute tradition — Claimed.

Flexibility — Asserted.

Standard practice — Denied as universal.

Defensive — Posture.

The “not all the time” defense framed press access as not absolute tradition. Flexibility in practice asserted. Standard practice denied as universal requirement. Defensive posture on press access.

”Many Conversations, One-on-One Conversations”

Precedent framing:

Member meetings — Cited.

One-on-one — Various.

Not all public — Claimed.

Pattern — Of private.

Defense — By precedent.

The precedent framing cited many private one-on-one conversations with Congress members. Not all public by Biden’s pattern. Defense by precedent of Biden’s practice rather than Speaker meeting tradition specifically.

The Speaker Meeting Specificity

Specificity:

Different — From member meetings.

Historic — Importance.

Institutional — Meeting.

Traditional access — Deserved.

Press coverage — Expected.

Speaker meeting specificity differed from regular member meetings. Historic institutional importance. Traditional press access deserved for institutional meetings. Press coverage expected for Speaker-President meetings.

”I Totally Understand”

KJP acknowledgment:

Question legitimacy — Acknowledged.

Interest — Recognized.

Professional — Response.

Deflection coming — Anyway.

Pattern — Familiar.

KJP’s acknowledgment of question legitimacy and interest was professional. Deflection coming anyway. Pattern familiar from previous briefings of acknowledgment followed by non-engagement.

”We Have Done It Many Times Before”

Historical pattern:

Private meetings — Cited.

Biden pattern — Of one-on-ones.

Not new practice — Claimed.

Defense — Through precedent.

Institutional — Weaker argument.

The “many times before” framing defended practice through Biden’s pattern of private meetings. Not new practice claimed. But institutional importance of Speaker meetings was weaker argument.

”Speaker McCarthy Is Welcome to Go to the Sticks”

Alternative offered:

McCarthy option — Sticks.

Post-meeting — Available.

Administrative permission — Granted.

Alternative — To joint access.

Deflection — To McCarthy.

The alternative of McCarthy going to “sticks” (outdoor press area) post-meeting was offered. Administrative permission granted for McCarthy. Alternative to joint press access. Deflection to McCarthy as press engagement option.

”And Take Your Questions”

Question invitation:

For McCarthy — Specifically.

Not Biden — Notably.

Press engagement — McCarthy’s choice.

Administrative distance — Maintained.

Asymmetric — Access.

The question invitation was specifically for McCarthy to take press questions, not Biden. Press engagement framed as McCarthy’s choice. Administrative distance from Biden maintained. Asymmetric press access pattern.

”We Welcome That If That Is Something He Wishes to Do”

Framing:

Welcoming — McCarthy.

His choice — To engage.

No reciprocal — Offer.

Biden’s absence — Implicit.

Press — Gets McCarthy only.

The framing welcomed McCarthy’s choice to engage press. No reciprocal Biden engagement offered. Biden’s absence from press engagement implicit. Press would get McCarthy if anyone.

The Biden Press Engagement Pattern

Pattern:

Limited — Consistently.

Very few interviews — Documented.

Press conferences — Rare.

Shouted questions — Mostly.

Administrative protection — Pattern.

Biden’s press engagement pattern was consistently limited. Very few formal interviews documented. Press conferences rare compared to predecessors. Mostly shouted questions during other events. Administrative protection pattern throughout presidency.

The Democratic Transparency Claims

Claims:

Transparent — Administration claim.

Access granted — Claimed.

Reality different — Critics say.

Gap real — Observable.

Credibility — Questioned.

Democratic transparency claims by administration were regular. Access granted generally claimed. Reality different according to critics. Gap between claims and practice was observable. Credibility questioned through pattern.

The Press Corps Frustration

Frustration:

Limited access — Real.

Pattern continues — Weeks.

Individual moments — Highlighted.

Cumulative effect — Building.

Coverage adjusting — To pattern.

Press corps frustration with limited Biden access was real and building. Pattern continuing through weeks and months. Individual moments highlighted frustration. Cumulative effect building. Coverage adjusting to consistent pattern.

The “Sticks” Reference

Sticks:

Outdoor press area — Location.

Traditional — Standing spot.

Reporters gathered — There.

Press engagement — Informal.

Quick questions — Typical.

The “sticks” reference was to traditional outdoor press area where reporters gathered to catch quick comments from officials. Informal press engagement. Quick questions typical. Not formal press conference but some access.

The Asymmetric Access

Asymmetric:

McCarthy engage — Welcomed.

Biden engage — Not offered.

Administrative protection — For Biden.

Press — Limited options.

Pattern — Continuing.

The asymmetric access — McCarthy engagement welcomed, Biden not offered — showed administrative protection for Biden. Press had limited options. Pattern continuing across meetings and events.

The Standard Speaker Meeting Coverage

Coverage:

Pool photos — Typical.

Brief comments — At start.

Statements after — Usually.

Both principals — Engage typically.

Tradition — Strong.

Standard Speaker-President meeting coverage traditionally included pool photos, brief comments at start, statements afterward by both principals. Tradition was strong. Biden pattern was departure.

The Biden Administration Approach

Approach:

Minimize exposure — Strategic.

Managed appearances — Preferred.

Press questions — Limited.

Prepared remarks — Valued.

Control messaging — Priority.

Biden administration approach minimized press exposure strategically. Managed appearances preferred over open engagement. Press questions limited. Prepared remarks valued. Messaging control priority over spontaneous engagement.

The Age and Capacity Considerations

Considerations:

Biden’s age — 80+ factor.

Verbal issues — Occasional.

Management — Priority.

Risk reduction — Through limitation.

Political calculation — Likely.

Biden’s age at 80+ and occasional verbal issues likely factored into limited press engagement. Management was priority. Risk reduction through limitation of unscripted moments. Political calculation likely drove pattern.

The Institutional Norms Erosion

Erosion:

Press access — Tradition.

Democratic norm — Value.

Gradual departure — From practice.

Future impact — Possible.

Long-term — Concerns.

The institutional norms erosion through limited press access was concerning. Traditional practice. Democratic norm valued. Gradual departure from practice. Future administrations could cite precedent. Long-term concerns real.

The Reporter’s Professional Point

Point:

Tradition — Cited.

Public interest — Invoked.

Accountability — Sought.

Substantive — Concern.

Professional — Framing.

Reporter’s professional point cited tradition, invoked public interest, sought accountability, raised substantive concern. Professional framing of legitimate journalistic concern about access patterns.

The Public Visibility Value

Value:

Accountability — Serves.

Democratic function — Essential.

Trust building — Potential.

Information flow — Important.

Norm — Worthwhile.

Public visibility value to governance was real. Accountability served. Democratic function essential. Trust building potential. Information flow important for informed citizenry. Worthwhile norm traditionally.

The Private Meeting Justifications

Justifications:

Candid discussion — Possible.

Sensitive topics — Better private.

Productive — Potentially.

Both sides — Comfortable.

Some value — Exists.

Private meeting justifications had some value. Candid discussion possible in private. Sensitive topics better handled privately sometimes. More productive potentially. Both sides more comfortable without cameras. Some genuine value exists.

The Balance Question

Question:

Private — vs. public.

Traditional balance — Tested.

Biden pattern — Departure.

Reform — Possibly needed.

Both considerations — Valid.

The balance question between private productive discussion and public accountability was real. Traditional balance tested by Biden pattern of departure toward private. Reform possibly needed. Both considerations valid.

The Administrative Strategic Choice

Choice:

Protection — Of Biden.

Narrative control — Priority.

Access limitation — Strategic.

Political calculation — Made.

Costs accepted — By administration.

The administrative strategic choice prioritized Biden protection and narrative control over traditional press access. Access limitation was strategic choice. Political calculation made. Costs of pattern accepted by administration.

The 2024 Campaign Implications

Implications:

Pattern — Established.

Campaign — Would require more.

Adjustment — Needed eventually.

Voter preferences — Various.

Engagement — Questioned.

2024 campaign implications of pattern were real. Campaign would require more engagement eventually. Adjustment needed. Voter preferences for engagement varied. Biden engagement capacity questioned by pattern.

The McCarthy Access Alternative

Alternative:

McCarthy — Available.

Press engagement — His option.

Different dynamic — Than Biden.

Speaker — Traditional access.

Contrast — Stark.

The McCarthy access alternative offered different dynamic than Biden. Speaker traditionally accessible through sticks engagement. Contrast with Biden’s limited access was stark in context.

The Administrative Pattern Documentation

Documentation:

Continued briefings — Cover pattern.

Media noting — Consistently.

Critics citing — Regularly.

Voter awareness — Variable.

Record building — Through coverage.

Administrative pattern documentation continued through briefings covering pattern. Media noting consistently. Critics citing regularly. Variable voter awareness of pattern. Record building through sustained coverage.

The Democratic Accountability Gap

Gap:

Access limited — Pattern.

Questions — Many unanswered.

Traditional engagement — Reduced.

Democratic cost — Real.

Long-term damage — Possible.

Democratic accountability gap from limited press access was real. Many questions unanswered through limited engagement. Traditional engagement reduced. Real democratic cost. Long-term damage possible to norms.

The Meeting Photo Opportunity

Opportunity:

Denied — Here.

Traditional — Access.

Pool coverage — Usual.

Biden choice — Different.

Optics — Strange.

The meeting photo opportunity was denied here. Traditional access for pool coverage usual. Biden choice was different. Optics of closed meeting strange given institutional importance.

The Political Strategy Assessment

Assessment:

Protection — Priority.

Access cost — Accepted.

Base — Minimal impact.

Moderates — Some concern.

Trade-off — Calculated.

Political strategy assessment showed protection priority with access cost accepted. Base minimal impact from access pattern. Moderates some concern about transparency. Trade-off calculated strategically.

The Democracy Function

Function:

Press access — Component.

Informed citizenry — Goal.

Accountability — Mechanism.

Transparency — Value.

Current — Reduced.

The democracy function of press access as component of informed citizenry and accountability mechanism was traditional. Transparency value. Current reduced access pattern affected function.

The Administrative Response Confidence

Confidence:

Consistent pattern — Maintained.

Justifications — Provided.

Alternative offered — McCarthy.

Strategy disciplined — Throughout.

Outcome accepted — By admin.

Administrative response confidence was consistent through maintained pattern, provided justifications, alternatives offered, disciplined strategy. Outcome of strategy accepted by administration.

The Historical Presidential Press Engagement

Engagement:

Varies — By president.

Biden particularly limited — Observed.

Reasons — Debated.

Age factor — Possibly.

Strategic choice — Clearly.

Historical presidential press engagement varied by president. Biden particularly limited observed by multiple analyses. Reasons debated including age factor possibly. Strategic choice clearly driven by administration.

The Reporter’s Continuing Pressure

Pressure:

Professional — Throughout.

Specific issues — Raised.

Tradition invoked — Appropriately.

Accountability — Sought.

Coverage — Generated.

Reporter’s continuing pressure through professional inquiries on specific issues like press access was journalism function. Tradition invoked appropriately. Accountability sought. Coverage generated despite administrative response patterns.

The Public Information Flow

Flow:

Reduced — Through patterns.

Press briefing — One channel.

Other channels — Also limited.

Democracy — Affected.

Long-term — Concerns.

Public information flow reduced through various administrative patterns. Press briefing was one channel. Other channels also limited. Democracy affected by reduced information flow. Long-term concerns about erosion.

The Democratic Coalition Dynamics

Dynamics:

Base — Less concerned.

Moderate — Some concern.

Progressive — Variable.

Media — Institutional concern.

Unity — Issue-dependent.

Democratic coalition dynamics showed base less concerned about access issues. Moderate some concern about transparency. Progressive variable. Media institutional concern about access. Unity issue-dependent rather than uniform.

The Reform Possibilities

Possibilities:

Discussed — Periodically.

Implementation — Rare.

Administrative resistance — Expected.

Long-term — Change needed.

Current patterns — Continuing.

Reform possibilities for press access and engagement discussed periodically. Implementation rare. Administrative resistance expected from power holders. Long-term change needed. Current patterns continuing.

The Briefing’s Place in Pattern

Place:

Individual exchange — Small part.

Pattern larger — Cumulative.

Documentation — Continuous.

Record building — Through coverage.

Historical value — For future.

Individual briefing exchange was small part of larger cumulative pattern. Documentation continuous through coverage. Record building through sustained journalism. Historical value for future analysis.

The Transparency Values at Stake

Values:

Democratic accountability — Core.

Informed citizenry — Essential.

Press freedom — Tradition.

Public knowledge — Right.

Multiple — Dimensions.

Transparency values at stake through access patterns included democratic accountability core value, informed citizenry essential goal, press freedom tradition, public knowledge right. Multiple dimensions affected.

The Administration’s Political Reasoning

Reasoning:

Protect Biden — From moments.

Control narrative — Strategic.

Minimize risk — Of gaffes.

Maintain message — Discipline.

Electoral — Calculation.

Administration’s political reasoning for access patterns involved protecting Biden from unscripted moments, controlling narrative strategically, minimizing gaffe risk, maintaining message discipline, electoral calculation.

The Press Secretary’s Difficult Task

Task:

Defend pattern — Task.

Substantive questions — To address.

Traditional arguments — Weak often.

Strategic defense — Required.

Professional — Attempt.

Press secretary’s difficult task was defending pattern that had substantive questions. Traditional arguments weak often in defense. Strategic defense required. Professional attempt despite challenging position.

The Reporter-Administration Dynamic

Dynamic:

Institutional tension — Real.

Professional — Generally.

Substantive gaps — Accumulated.

Pattern recognition — Mutual.

Ongoing — Relationship.

Reporter-administration dynamic had real institutional tension. Generally professional. Substantive gaps accumulated over time. Pattern recognition mutual. Ongoing relationship through sustained interaction.

The Press Briefing Function Questions

Questions:

Information provided — Limited.

Access substitute — Partial.

Democratic function — Served imperfectly.

Reform discussion — Periodic.

Institutional — Concern.

Press briefing function questions included information provided limited, access substitute partial for main principals, democratic function served imperfectly through pattern, periodic reform discussion, institutional concern ongoing.

The Historical Context of Access

Context:

Tradition — Varies.

Bush — Different patterns.

Obama — Various.

Trump — Different again.

Biden — Particularly limited.

Historical context of access varied across administrations. Bush had different patterns. Obama had various engagement. Trump had different approach with his style. Biden particularly limited comparatively.

The Modern Media Environment

Environment:

Fragmented — Highly.

Social media — Direct.

Traditional — Marginalized.

Access — Different meaning.

Challenges — New ones.

Modern media environment was highly fragmented. Social media enabled direct communication bypassing traditional press. Traditional media marginalized in some ways. Access different meaning in new environment. New challenges for both administrations and press.

The Digital Communication Alternatives

Alternatives:

White House Twitter — Direct.

Social media — Channels.

YouTube — Distribution.

Administrative — Control.

Press — Bypassed.

Digital communication alternatives provided administrative control. White House social media accounts. YouTube distribution of content. Administrative messaging control through digital. Press partially bypassed in modern environment.

The Press’s Continued Role

Role:

Accountability — Traditional function.

Professional standards — Maintained.

Investigation — Different method.

Context providing — Continuing.

Democracy — Important.

Press’s continued role despite digital alternatives remained important. Traditional accountability function. Professional standards maintained. Investigation different from direct communication. Context providing continuing. Democracy important function served.

The Institutional Relationship

Relationship:

Strained — Generally.

Professional — Mostly.

Mutual benefit — Some.

Tensions — Natural.

Continuing — Through history.

The institutional relationship between administrations and press was strained generally but professional mostly. Mutual benefit some. Natural tensions inherent. Continuing through history across administrations.

The Democratic Norms Under Pressure

Pressure:

Press access — Reduced.

Transparency — Less.

Accountability — Challenged.

Information flow — Constrained.

Multiple — Pressures.

Democratic norms under pressure included reduced press access, less transparency, challenged accountability mechanisms, constrained information flow. Multiple pressures across various norms simultaneously.

The Reform Proposals Periodic

Periodic:

Discussions — Occur.

Implementation — Rare.

Consensus — Limited.

Status quo — Continues.

Change slow — Generally.

Reform proposals for press access and engagement were periodic discussions. Implementation rare. Limited consensus across parties. Status quo continues. Change slow generally in institutional areas.

The Biden’s 2024 Campaign Adjustment

Adjustment:

Required — Eventually.

Debate — Expected.

Engagement — Increasing.

Pattern — Will change.

Campaign demands — Real.

Biden’s 2024 campaign adjustment would be required eventually. Debate expected. Engagement increasing necessary for campaign. Pattern would change for electoral reasons. Campaign demands real and unavoidable.

The Professional Journalism Value

Value:

Sustained inquiry — Important.

Pattern documentation — Critical.

Accountability — Through time.

Record — Created.

Democracy — Served.

Professional journalism value through sustained inquiry about access patterns was important. Pattern documentation critical. Accountability through time rather than single moments. Record created for history. Democracy served through sustained attention.

The Individual Exchange Value

Value:

Question asked — Professional.

Transcript preserved — Permanent.

Pattern contribution — Documented.

Public information — Provided.

Historical record — Added to.

Individual exchange value included professionally asked question, permanently preserved transcript, documented pattern contribution, public information provided about administrative practices, historical record added to through exchange.

The Administrative Response Consistency

Consistency:

Similar responses — Deployed.

Across topics — Pattern.

Defensive — Generally.

Template — Used.

Discipline — High.

Administrative response consistency showed similar responses deployed across topics. Pattern defensive generally. Template used extensively. Message discipline high even under difficult questions about basic access.

The Press Secretary’s Limited Agency

Agency:

Individual influence — Limited.

Strategic direction — From above.

Defense — Job requirement.

Individual moments — Variable.

Overall pattern — Set.

Press secretary’s limited individual agency within overall administrative strategy meant individual influence was limited. Strategic direction from above. Defense was job requirement. Individual moments varied but overall pattern was set.

The Biden’s Personal Decision-Making

Decision:

Access pattern — His choice.

Advisors — Support.

Strategy — His.

Political calculation — Made.

Outcome — Accepted.

Biden’s personal decision-making on press access patterns was fundamentally his choice. Advisors support. Strategy his. Political calculation made. Outcome of pattern accepted as cost of approach.

The Long-Term Institutional Damage

Damage:

Access norms — Affected.

Transparency — Reduced.

Future precedent — Possible.

Democracy — Cost.

Continuing — Concern.

Long-term institutional damage from access patterns affected norms, reduced transparency, set possible future precedent for future administrations, imposed democracy cost, continuing concern about erosion.

The Press Briefing’s Function in Accountability

Function:

Partial — Currently.

Limited by — Pattern.

Questions raised — Unanswered.

Documentation — Valuable.

Democracy — Imperfectly served.

Press briefing’s function in accountability was partial currently. Limited by pattern of deflection. Questions raised unanswered often. Documentation valuable nonetheless. Democracy imperfectly served through current pattern.

The Media Environment Changing

Changing:

Digital — Growing.

Traditional — Evolving.

Access meaning — Different.

New challenges — Emerging.

Continuing — Evolution.

Media environment continuing evolution included digital growing, traditional evolving, access meaning different in new era, new challenges emerging. Continuing evolution affecting press-administration dynamics.

The Democratic Coalition’s Complex View

View:

Some care — About access.

Some don’t — As much.

Base — Variable concern.

Media-supportive — Cross-party.

Mixed — Overall.

Democratic coalition’s complex view on access issues had some caring about principles, some not as much. Base variable concern. Media-supportive cross-party. Mixed overall reaction to access patterns.

The Republican Exploitation

Exploitation:

Political opportunity — Seen.

Attack material — Used.

Narrative — Biden hides.

2024 campaign — Setup.

Coordinated — Attacks.

Republican exploitation of access patterns saw political opportunity. Attack material used regularly. Narrative of “Biden hides” developed. 2024 campaign setup through access critique. Coordinated attacks across messaging.

The Voter Perceptions Effects

Effects:

Awareness variable — Across voters.

Engagement attention — Differs.

Polling effects — Modest.

Long-term — Accumulates.

Subconscious — Impression.

Voter perceptions effects of access patterns showed variable awareness across voters. Engagement attention differs. Modest polling effects directly. Long-term accumulating effect. Subconscious impression forming.

The Trust Erosion Potential

Potential:

Transparency — Concerns.

Accountability — Reduced.

Trust — Declining.

Government — Generally.

Cumulative — Effect.

Trust erosion potential through reduced transparency and accountability affected government generally. Declining trust cumulative effect. Multiple administrations contribute to pattern. Current reinforces trajectory.

The Substantive Policy Effect

Effect:

Less informed — Debate.

Public understanding — Reduced.

Policy development — Affected.

Democratic participation — Challenged.

Quality — Lower.

Substantive policy effect of reduced access included less informed debate, reduced public understanding of policy choices, affected policy development through reduced input, challenged democratic participation, lower overall quality of public discourse.

The Reform Path Forward

Path:

Gradual — Required.

Norms — To rebuild.

Administration — Choice.

Press organization — Advocacy.

Long-term — Process.

Reform path forward required gradual approach. Norms to rebuild over time. Administration choice critical. Press organization advocacy continuing. Long-term process rather than quick fix.

The Press Secretary’s Continued Challenge

Challenge:

Defending — Difficult patterns.

Substantive questions — Complex.

Professional manner — Maintaining.

Individual cost — On role.

Strategic direction — Following.

Press secretary’s continued challenge involved defending difficult patterns, addressing complex substantive questions, maintaining professional manner, bearing individual cost on role, following strategic direction from above.

The Reporter’s Sustained Professionalism

Professionalism:

Quality questions — Consistently.

Pattern documentation — Through work.

Accountability — Attempted.

Professional — Approach.

Journalism — Demonstrated.

Reporter’s sustained professionalism through quality questions consistently, pattern documentation through continuing work, accountability attempted sustainedly, professional approach throughout, journalism demonstrated across exchanges.

The Biden-McCarthy Meeting Place in History

Place:

Significant — Moment.

Divided government — Start.

Debt ceiling crisis — Background.

Record — Created.

Historical — Value.

Biden-McCarthy meeting’s place in history as significant moment during divided government start with debt ceiling crisis background. Record created through coverage and briefings. Historical value preserved through documentation.

The Access Question’s Broader Context

Context:

Pattern — Of limited access.

Individual instance — Within pattern.

Broader issue — Administrative approach.

Democratic norms — Affected.

Continuing — Concern.

Access question’s broader context involved pattern of limited access during Biden presidency. Individual instance within pattern. Broader administrative approach issue. Democratic norms affected. Continuing concern for press and public.

Key Takeaways

• A reporter asked KJP about decision not to allow press access to Biden-McCarthy meeting.
• The reporter invoked tradition: “It’s tradition for the press to be brought in when the president speaks to the speaker.”
• KJP disputed tradition universality: “Not all the time the president has had many conversations, one-on-one conversations with member of Congress.”
• She offered alternative: “Speaker McCarthy is welcome to go to the sticks after the meeting and take your questions.”
• Notably, no reciprocal offer for Biden press engagement was made.
• The asymmetric access — McCarthy welcomed to engage press but not Biden — continued pattern of limited presidential press engagement.

Transcript Highlights

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

• Can you explain the decision not to offer the public visibility on this meeting? It’s tradition for the press to be brought in when the president speaks to the speaker.
• No, I’m look Not all the time the president has had many Conversations one-on-one conversations with member of Congress.
• I totally understand I get the question and understand Why there is interest in this.
• We have done it many times before where we’ve had private one-on-one speaker.
• Speaker McCarthy is welcome to go to the sticks after the meeting and take your questions.
• We welcome that if that is something that he wishes to do.

Full transcript: 128 words transcribed via Whisper AI.