Source: Politics<\/p>\n
Rep. Lee Zeldin got testy with POLITICO Playbook authors Ryan Lizza and Tara Palmeri on Thursday when Lizza asked him to say unequivocally that President Joe Biden won the 2020 election. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, Joe Biden\u2019s the president of the United States,\u201d the New York Republican said. \u201cAnd that\u2019s how …\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIs or won?\u201d Lizza said in a POLITICO Playbook event, stopping Zeldin, a former President Donald Trump ally who voted against certifying the Electoral College results amid Trump’s false claims of election fraud. <\/p>\n
“I ask it very intentionally that he won the presidential election,” Lizza said. <\/p>\n
\u201cYes, and then I went on to continue an answer,\u201d Zeldin said. \u201cIf you would like to give my answer for me, you can go ahead and do that. But I thought I was going to be here to answer my own questions.\u201d <\/p>\n
Lizza clarified, saying he was asking if Biden won the presidency. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re asking me now for a third time, and I\u2019ve said yes twice. So, I don\u2019t know how many more times you want me to say yes and what your agenda is. But, really, it\u2019s a bit ridiculous to be asking me a third time. But please, go ahead and ask me again,\u201d Zeldin said.<\/p>\n
Palmeri backed Lizza, saying he was just clarifying to ensure it was correct. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou have, a fourth time,\u201d Zeldin said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI wouldn\u2019t call that a question,\u201d Palmeri said. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou can go for a fifth time next, too,\u201d Zeldin replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cIs every time I speak a question?\u201d Palmeri, said, laughing. \u201cWe can keep going.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cSure, let\u2019s do it a sixth time,\u201d Zeldin said. <\/p>\n
Zeldin took to the House floor after the violent insurrection at the Capitol Jan. 6 to object to the certification of the 2020 presidential election results, citing what he called \u201cevidence-filled issues\u201d with the election\u2019s administration. There is no evidence of widespread fraud during the 2020 presidential election. <\/p>\n
Zeldin is actively exploring a bid for New York governor amid allegations of groping, sexual harassment and berating phone calls levied against Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is facing calls to resign from many prominent Democrats. <\/p>\n