The Dem infighting in New York continues apace, and we are so here for it.

We reported Wednesday on the debate that took place Tuesday night between New York Reps. Carolyn Maloney, Jerry Nadler and former Obama administration staffer Suraj Patel, all of who are vying for the state’s newly-drawn 12th Congressional District.

Though there were tense moments between Nadler and Maloney (who “really hate each other” according to a recent write-up by NY Mag), the comments that garnered the most media attention – and criticism from other Democrats – were their responses to the question of whether or not they believed President Joe Biden should run again in 2024.

While Patel gave an unequivocal “yes” answer, neither Nadler nor Maloney would give a straight answer.

“Too early to say,” Nadler stated, clearly uncomfortable at being asked the question. “Doesn’t serve the purpose of the Democratic Party to, to deal with that until after the midterms.”

Maloney point-blank remarked that “I don’t believe he’s running for reelection.”

Nadler and Maloney both took heat from The Usual Suspects over their comments, which indicated a lack of enthusiasm for the current Oval Office occupant just a few months out from the 2022 midterms and at a time when there has been a lot of speculation as to Biden’s future plans and continued questions about his fitness to lead.

But it’s been Maloney who has been teetering along on a tightrope ever since, first standing by what she said in an interview with the New York Post the day after the debate but then apologizing for it during a CNN “New Day” interview Thursday that had serious hostage video vibes going on:

Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) walks back: "Mr. President, I apologize. I want you to run. I happen to think you won't be running, but when you run or if you run, I will be there 100%. You have deserved it. You are a great president and thank you for everything you've done …" pic.twitter.com/w8gUATVkf9

— The Recount (@therecount) August 4, 2022

The longer clip shows Maloney, who is the Chair of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, was repeatedly pressed during her interview after tapdancing around the issue before she looked into the camera and gave her short speech:

After saying Biden won’t run in 2024, Rep Carolyn Maloney looks into @newday camera and says: “I apologize Mr. President…(even though) I happen to think you won’t be running.” @brikeilarcnn pic.twitter.com/KuLaBoGRX5

— New Day (@NewDay) August 4, 2022

Cringe. So awkward. Looked like she might have been reading from a hastily-written placard someone from the Biden administration – possibly one of Joe Biden’s many overworked handlers – had prepared for her behind the scenes.

Political strategist Liz Mair was on a similar wavelength, suggesting that Maloney’s apology had “an element of really f*cking strange fealty to the party leader and weird humiliation/submission going on here that sort of reminds me of a much-toned down chunk of Death of Stalin.”

“Hostage negotiators will study this clip for generations,” opined Sen. Ted Cruz comms adviser Steve Guest.

Can’t really argue against either of those points, honestly, nor against the advice of another Twitter user who advised Maloney to “blink twice” after watching the clip.

“Blink three times if you are being coerced or held against your will,” tweeted another.

I think it’s safe to say that if Maloney was looking put her remarks suggesting Joe Biden wasn’t going to run in 2024 behind her, she did a pretty lousy job.

Not that Republicans who are sitting back enjoying their bowls of popcorn are complaining, of course.

Related: CNN Polling Expert Puts the ‘Ow’ in ‘Ouch’ for Democrats by Explaining Just How Bad It Is