GOP Sen James Risch Implores Biden to ‘Stay on Script’ After ‘Horrendous Gaffe’ Where He Said Putin Must Go

We reported yesterday that Joe Biden is in hot water after declaring that Vladimir Putin must go, which led to the White House being forced to run damage control.

U.S. Sen James Risch (R-ID) appeared this morning on CNN’s “State of the Union” and implored Biden to “stay on script” after the “gaffe” where he said Vladimir Putin must go.

In a clip, host Dana Bash prefaced her question to Risch, “Let’s talk about President Biden’s unified front that he said, and the ambassador said was presented with NATO allies.”

“He pledged for more help to Ukraine. The U.S. unveiled a new plan with the EU to move Europe away from Russian oil and gas,” Bash noted.

Bash then asked Risch, who is the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, “Was the president’s trip to NATO a success?”

“You know Dana, I really think that he did need to be there and help manage the relationship. We are fortunate to have a good ambassador there that you just had on, ambassador Smith… that’s a complex relationship,” Risch responded.

Risch then pivoted and explained, “He gave a good speech at the end, but as you pointed out already, there was a horrendous gaffe right at the end of it.”

“I wish he would stay on script, whoever wrote that speech did a good job for him, but my gosh I wish they would keep him on script,” Risch stressed.

Risch pointed out, “I think most people who don’t deal in the lane of foreign relations don’t realize those nine words that he uttered would cause the eruption that they did, but any time you say or even as he did, suggest that the policy is regime change, it’s going to cause a huge problem.”

“This administration has done everything they can to stop escalating, there’s not a whole lot more you can do to escalate than to call for regime change. The White House tried to walk it back immediately, Tony Blinken, the Secretary of State, tried to walk it back immediately. I’ll walk it back right now, that is not the policy of the United States. Please, Mr. President, stay on script,” Risch urged.

"Please, Mr. President, stay on script."

Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID) reacts to President Joe Biden saying Russian President Vladimir Putin "cannot remain in power," telling @DanaBashCNN the remark could cause problems in Ukraine as the US tries to de-escalate the conflict. #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/PcylOrnQ23

— CNN (@CNN) March 27, 2022