President Biden on Thursday extended a small olive branch to Republicans after condemning a large swath of the GOP as “ultra-MAGA” extremists and casting the pivotal midterms as a battle for the “soul of the nation.”
In an address to Democratic National Committee organizers in Washington, Mr. Biden conceded that America’s democracy remains intact even as Republicans glide toward probable control of the House.
“It was the first national election since Jan. 6 and there were a lot of concerns about whether democracy would meet the test,” he said. “It did. It did.”
He thanked “all of these mainstream Republicans” who made it possible. “They fought like we usually fight and we accepted it. Everybody accepted it,” he said.
Rep. Louie Gohmert, Texas Republican, said the president was offering faint praise.
“He has not backed off on his comments about how heinous those of us are who have a different political and scientific viewpoint,” he told The Washington Times. “It’s really not an apology. It’s not legitimate. You can’t condemn people and then turn around and say all you want is unity.”
SEE ALSO: Progressives launch ‘Don’t Run Joe’ campaign to stop Biden from seeking a second term
Rep. Chip Roy, Texas Republican, agreed.
“He didn’t try to bury the hatchet,” he told The Times. “He gave us a whole bunch of ultimatums but he’s not going to be like Bill Clinton and say the era of big government is over. … I can promise you the left is surrounding him at the White House and they’re going to double down on their crazy, lefty policies.”
Mr. Biden also promised during his 2020 presidential campaign to bring unity to an increasingly divided nation and then faced criticism for his divisive rhetoric, including harsh condemnation of Republicans ahead of the midterm elections.
Last week, Mr. Biden made his closing pitch to voters by warning that “dark forces” within the Republican Party were trying to subvert democracy.
He also said the threat of a Jan. 6, 2021-style insurrection was smoldering within the GOP and stoked by candidates allied with former President Donald Trump.
He warned that “MAGA Republicans” — who he said were a minority in the GOP — were on “a path to chaos” that posed a grave threat to American democracy.
SEE ALSO: Biden defends economic policy as inflation figures ease
Republican National Committee Chairman Ronna McDaniel panned Mr. Biden’s speech as “desperate and dishonest.”
“Joe Biden promised unity but has instead demonized and smeared Americans while making life more expensive for all. While Republicans remain focused on the issues that matter most to voters, Biden and Democrats are flailing in the final days because they have lost touch with the concerns of families struggling to get by,” she said in a statement.
On Thursday, Mr. Biden said American voters sent a message during the midterms that they want the Republicans and Democrats to work together.
“Regardless of what the final tally shows, I am prepared to work with Republicans,” Mr. Biden said. “But the American people made it clear they expect Republicans to work with me as well.”
While Republicans are on track to control the House, the anticipated GOP wave did not pan out.
Mr. Biden’s comments on Thursday contrast with his reaction Wednesday when asked if he was prepared to take a different policy approach amid his low approval rating and widespread discontent with the path the country is on.
“I’m not going to change anything in any fundamental way,” the president said at a rare press conference on Wednesday. “We’re just getting started. While the press and the pundits were predicting a giant red wave, it didn’t happen.”
Mr. Biden spoke by phone with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, California Republican and the presumptive House speaker should Republicans seal the majority, hours later on Wednesday.
• Jeff Mordock contributed to this story.
• Joseph Clark can be reached at jclark@washingtontimes.com.
• Mica Soellner can be reached at msoellner@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.