Joe Biden still wants to be president

[oppressedproletarian]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/joe-biden-still-wants-to-be-president-can-his-family-endure-one-last-campaign/2017/07/28/65770bfa-70a0-11e7-9eac-d56bd5568db8_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_biden-9am%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.408f3861264e

[heaven05]

1. I like this guy

and if he was a younger person he would be my choice.

NOW we need young, vibrant, progressive people in the national political races. If the old crew would make way, we might, might mind you, be able to mount a proper, viable campaign and gain victory as the DEMOCRATIC PARTY in upcoming elections.

People do not want to relinquish power and economic benefit to the detriment of us all.

[MoonRiver]

16. I agree.

There are plenty of fantastic choices under the age of 60.

[loyalsister]

21. We need someone who can make cultivating and ushering policies a long term goal

Some initiatives take a long time to evolve into ideal policies. Look how long have we been working on getting healthcare right? FDR laid groundwork and Truman floated the idea of universal healthcare. Ted Kennedy wanted to see it through so badly, and he worked so hard and essentially spent a lifetime on it. There are some younger people in government who can make it their mission and have the time to see it through. Chris Murphy comes to mind.

Taking the scientific awareness and worries about the environment seriously enough to involve government also started long ago. Al Gore is still around, but working from the outside has been very effective and we need younger congress members and presidents to be personally invested, energized and be able to look far ahead to see it through.

Thanks uncle Joe, we love ya but it's time to stand back, advise, and mentor.

[heaven05]

66. +++

[NurseJackie]

53. Thank you for your service, Joe. I hope you enjoy your well-deserved retirement.

[DK504]

2. Joe would be an amazing choice.

He has been more progressive than Even President Obama and Hillary.

He is 74, while he isn't President Obama's age, he knows how the government, better than most. He even gets along with most of Rethugs in the Senate, I would prefer him over even some of the younger candidates, his positions and knowledge make him a superior choice as president.

[madokie]

8. If Joe runs I'll vote for him

I'll say it early and I'll say it often

I like Joe Biden and wife Jill. Both beautiful people, good, honest and beautiful people

And yes this is a Big Fucking Deal

[karynnj]

26. His votes in the Senate were to the right of both

He voted yes on every bankruptcy vote. He also chaired the Clarence Thomas hearing, where he stopped the hearings as more women came forward. He was FOR the TPP and spent consider time arguing for it. What is true is that he was born in Scranton, PA. He might be more comfortable speaking on populist issues, but he is not really either a progressive or populist - any more than HRC and Obama.

There were many many good things he did and he was an excellent VP, but he needs to run ON WHO HIS HISTORY says he is - and that is true of any nominee.

[Expecting Rain]

41. Unlike you (I suspect) I think Biden not being a "populist" is a great thing.

Populism has brought disaster and misery each and every time populist movements have come to power in human history.

The last thing we need is a populist. We need a liberal Democrat with real solutions who doesn't rely on exploiting political anger and appeals to emotion or violence, and who instead embraces reason and has real plans that will bring real progress.

[karynnj]

49. Absolutely not

The statesman I most admire is John Kerry, who would have been an incredible President, with an amazing First Lady, in 2005. I am a liberal and someone who thinks that the only solution to the reality that is globalization has to be good trade deals that try to lift up the requirements on country's with little or no worker's rights or environmental constraints.

Now, I agree with Biden on TPP, believing that they went as far as they could to create a fair trade deal. I understand, but absolutely disagree on his vote on the terrible bankruptcy bills. I remember listing to Ted Kennedy defend amendment after amendment to make the 2005 bill less awful -- seeing each of them fail. I understand that many credit cards come from Delaware, but those votes stink to high heavens.

I also have a major problem with his actions on the Clarence Thomas hearings. This is something where you can't just say people evolved. This was NOT women's rights, but accusations that should have been completely investigated. To not let the other women who contacted his office testify meant that they could not lend credence to Anita Hill's comments. Had he let them be heard, there would have been more information to use to make the decision. It is also clear that people - like Kerry - were angry that the committee ended hearings and voted him out. Yet Biden was the person who was the lead sponsor on the Violence against Women Act.

I think Biden is a very complex human being, who faced more grief than most of us ever will - from the death of his young wife and baby daughter and years later, the death at a very young age of one of his sons, who had survived the car crash. He also himself survived having an aneurysm that could have killed him.

[lapucelle]

3. Had Democrats won, in all likelihood Biden would now be our Secretary of State.

As for his chances in 2020, the press likes him and would construct a favorable narrative. He would have to account for that Iraq War vote, and he would have to address the Clarence Thomas/Anita Hill debacle.

His chances would depend largely on exactly have far the purity police would be willing to go in employing their double standard.

Interesting that this this piece appears in the Style section of WaPo. When MoDo writes an opinion piece, and Chozick reports the fictionalized internal monologue as front page news, it might be time to take this more seriously.

http://dailyhowler.blogspot.com/2015/08/23-years-later-new-york-times-latest.html

[Me.]

7. I'm Not So Sure About Press Being Favorable

As with all Dems, the press would, suddenly, be not so crazy about him and the skeletons would come out of the closet. I, sadly, think they would make a joke of him for all his past gaffes. Also, he's going to have a hard time winning support from a portion of Dems given his ongoing criticism of HRC.

[lapucelle]

11. I think the media narrative might depend on who Biden's opponents

for the nomination are. There is a certain coterie of influential media personalities (like Maureen Dowd, Chris Matthews, and Joan Walsh) who I think would work to tamp down the criticism. I doubt very much that we would be inundated with the "flawed candidate" talking point because "flawed" seems to have been code for "not perfect AND female".

You are absolutely right about Biden's criticism of HRC and its possible repercussions. but her constituency is frequently taken for granted. For some odd reason, it is always assumed that, in the end, they will support who the elders tell them to support.

[Me.]

14. You Are Right

about those who would work to tamp down criticism on JB, though he will have to watch his mouth. If he starts criticising again...the push back will be fierce. As for the "flawed candidate", that might likely come from the Cons.

As for repercussions and ignoring females, they are in the process of getting schooled, slow but sure. Women, in general, fed up with rampant misogyny, are getting very LOUD, and, black women who are the real voting force behind the Dems are meeting with Perez and holding his feet to the fire. A rethink about women and their place in the world/party is due. Women are going to Persist and men, whether Dems, INdies or Cons, may come to find we have long memories and even longer lives.

[lapucelle]

18. Nancy Pelosi did a masterful job

of holding her caucus together for the last six weeks. No wonder Republicans demonize her! She's dangerously effective in her role.

It's been interesting that the misogyny has crossed over to include strong Republican woman legislators as they are making their voices heard. (Even Jodi Ernst stood up this week to Trump's gratuitous military policy directive via tweet.)

History will judge many harshly concerning the rampant and open misogyny demonstrated during both the run-up to the 2016 election and the post election season. There are probably many people who are young now who will lie to their grandchildren about the role they did or didn't play when an eminently qualified and experienced candidate with a strong record of accomplishing policy goals across partisan divides dared run for president while being female.

Susan Bordo's book The Destruction of Hillary Clinton is an excellent analysis by a renowned gender studies scholar. You can read an excerpt at the Guardian's website.

[karynnj]

27. The media has a complicated relationship with him

They have heartily joined those who speak of him as gaffe prone, while enjoying his willingness to be open and speak to them. He is treated well by the beltway media for his foreign policy knowledge.

[lapucelle]

37. Not all people with foreign policy knowledge

are treated well by the beltway media, although they are certainly more than indulgent when discussing Biden's "gaffes".

Whether or not the "gaffe-prone" story line would ever cross over to the "flawed" narrative based on Biden's long history in the senate remains to be seen. And there are probably many unwilling to gloss over exactly how instrumental he was in paving the way for a Supreme Court seat for Clarence Thomas.

Anita Hill served up a powerful reminder of the dangers of paying short shrift to issues of sexual harassment in this Boston Globe editorial four weeks before the 2016 election.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2016/10/10/what-can-still-learn-from-sexual-harassment/jCF5rxYbFMgE3bOKR984pI/story.html

[karynnj]

40. Completely agree that not all people with foreign policy knowledge are treated well

I think John Kerry was the best there was -- and he has enormous respect from many foreign media outlets and with people like Dick Lugar, on the other side. It was only as he was due to leave as Secretary of State that the NYT grudging gave him credit for having been the essential force behind the Iran Nuclear Deal and the Paris Climate Accord. On the latter his efforts started long before the Obama Presidency. In 2007, the Bush administration before both the House and the SFRC (where Kerry sat) praised Kerry's contributions to their getting the agreement at Bali, which Ban Ki Moon spoke of as the precursor to the Paris Climate Accord. His relations from 2007 and before were what let him to get the agreement with China that was a catalyst for Paris.

On Afghanistan, where he kept the government from going over the cliff about 3 years ago, even days before he negotiated a way for the two people in a disputed election to go forward, the Washington Post had an article saying Kerry's idea would never work -- when it did, the focus was on the Afghanis and potential problems. (ie in what they considered a near impossible situation - if there was a failure it was Kerry's, if it worked out, it was the Afghanis. Needless to say, any time it has come near to failing, Kerry is blamed. )

Part of the reason might be that Kerry was genuinely an orignial foreign policy thinker -- shown even when he was a senior at Yale with the class validictory speech he gave. One reason he was different is that in addition to being influenced by JFK, a key influence was his own dad. Being more of an original, meant he was less accepted by the beltway pundits who listen to those who repeat what the pundits themselves have said.

[karynnj]

50. Not sure -- I suspect that Hillary might have gone with someone like Wendy Sherman

This is not to knock Biden, but he is 74 years old and Secretary of State might be the physically most difficult job in government --- unless you do it like Rex Tillerson!

[lapucelle]

51. I know there was talk of Biden.

I was kind of looking forward to The Onion's coverage of Joey B loose on the world stage.

http://www.theonion.com/search?q=%22joe-biden%22

[greeny2323]

4. Like him, but...

I will be most enthusiastic for younger politicians who can capture the imagination and trust of younger voters and get them to the polls, like Obama did.

[DefenseLawyer]

5. I just want to win.

If Joe has the best chance to win, he's my guy. I can't afford to be ideological. By the same token, if it looks like he can't win... Sorry Joe, nothing personal, it's just business.

[Midwestern Democrat]

6. If he were ten (or even five) years younger, he'd be the frontrunner for 2020 - but he'll be 78

years old on inauguration day 2021 and that's just too old - to put that in perspective, Ronald Reagan turned 78 shortly after LEAVING office.

[madokie]

9. Ronald raygun was trash though

Joe on the other hand is the real deal.

[moonscape]

44. He's the same age as Bernie Sanders, and if I

had to pick between the two, I'd take Joe in a heartbeat.

That said, I agree that we need younger blood to take out 45.

[Expecting Rain]

10. I don't thing there is another Democrat as well positioned to win back...

...voters in the industrial states that we narrowly lost to Trump in 2016.

Biden is able to connect with so-called "Joe-six-pack" voters in a fashion that is real and uncanny, and his warmth and sincerity make him the perfect foil to the vulgarian Donald Trump.

A real "man of the people" (and not some phony populist) would be well for a win in 2020. And with Biden, you have a guy who would unify working class voters and liberal progressive Democrats.

[stevenleser]

25. Buttigieg potentially would be given that's the general area where he lives

That being said, if Joe ran it would be hard for me to be against him.

[karynnj]

28. What about Sherrod Brown?

The same warthm and sincerity, a genuinely populist record, and a man who has won in bad years in Ohio. He is also respected by liberals.

[moonscape]

45. Love Sherrod Brown! n/t

[Oneironaut]

12. Ugh. No... I like Joe Biden, but I recognize that he's unelectable.

[VermontKevin]

13. I'll vote for him if he promises Anita Hill the first open SCOTUS seat.

Oh hell, I'll vote for any Democrat over Republican. But, equity.

[Jakes Progress]

60. Something he needs to apologize for for sure.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

15. He'll be 78 then

But if nothing else he'd bring some serious debate to the primary.

[AgadorSparticus]

17. I am conflicted about this. While I REALLY like Joe, I am not excited about his candidacy.

But as stated upthread, I am going to vote for whomever has the best shot of winning.

[romana]

19. No

He's tried and failed twice, and he's incredibly gaffe-prone and inappropriately touchy-feely at times like a creepy old uncle to me. Plus, many women haven't forgotten how he allowed Anita Hill to be treated, and he's just too old. I couldn't, in good conscience, support him at his age.

Surely the Democrats can cultivate someone more dynamic than another old white guy.

[SharonClark]

22. Agree 100%

[Demsrule86]

31. Nonsense... He would be a great candidate. In 12 Biden and Bill Clinton managed to get

Pres. Obama re-elected. It was touch and go. Clinton called himself the explainer in chief...Biden will help with PA, Michigan,Ohio and Wisconsin.

[StevieM]

20. If Joe runs will they say he is obsessed with power and desperately wants to be president like they

did with Hillary Clinton?

I doubt it. They didn't do that with Mitt Romney either.

The only difference is that Hillary is a woman.

[HeartachesNhangovers]

23. I'll say it. You had your chances, Joe Biden.

Now go do some fund-raising for other Dems.

[Demsrule86]

32. Welcome to DU...oh and Biden is great and if he runs, he has my vote.

[betsuni]

48. And they won't call him a warmonger either despite his Iraq War thing vote.

I doubt we'd hear anything about being rich or corrupt or status quo or a weathervane or coughing or speeches or murdering everyone or Wall Street or emails or The Biden Machine rigging elections or ... the list is quite long isn't it. If a Biden run meant I'd never have to see or hear the word "neoliberal" again, fine. Just make it stop.

[demtenjeep]

24. HELL YEA

LOVE BIDEN

[Demsrule86]

29. I love Joe Biden...I am concerned about his age though.

[Gabi Hayes]

30. Juanita hill could give 2 squeezes

Same here

[mcar]

58. Who?

[Gabi Hayes]

59. Har!

Auto complete sans preview = embarassmento

You do know who I meant, yes?

[Demsrule86]

33. Great ticket would be Joe Biden and Sherrod Brown...if we elect a Democrat in the coming

governor's elections.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

34. He could have won easily in 2016 as Obama's Vice President

I don't know if he can win with the passage of time and without Obama's inertia behind him and especially if the angry white assholes who voted for Trump perceive him to have delivered for them.

[BeyondGeography]

35. If he still wants to in 2019, I hope he runs

He'll most likely lose (we damn well better have a stronger overall candidate than 78 YO Joe), but he'll keep the whole field on their toes. He's sincere, popular and can throw a punch. Whoever wins will be a better nominee for having competed with him.

[lunamagica]

36. so, Hillary can't run again because she's tried twice already, she's to old, but it great if Biden

runs?

I wonder why the double standard...I just can't imagine...

[MaryLouisaWillis]

56. Could it be......... (sexism?)

So Joe is older than Hillary and has never won more than 2% in any primary, but we want him? No more men. I think that in about 200 years we can consider men again.
Yes I think there are many qualified women (Hillary most of all) who can be our nominee and I am completely bored out of my mind with white guy Presidents.
Some of my favorite people are men, my boyfriend and my sons, but I don't want them in the White house anymore.

[pnwmom]

63. No thanks. There are much better options than the guy who failed to stand up for Anita Hill

against Clarence Thomas and his band of GOP defenders.

[Mike Nelson]

38. So do...

...John McCain and Mitt Romney... Joe Biden achieved a lot - he was never a good Presidential candidate and was given a great opportunity. He achieved a high office and was good for the country. He should stop this talk and focus on Dems winning in 2018.

[Golden Raisin]

39. We need new, younger blood. Also, by the time Trump & Co.

gets done we may no longer have elections.

[cynatnite]

42. Sure, why not...

We're going to have a good field of Dems and Joe's one of the best. Whether he'll win or not, who knows.

[Egnever]

43. Joe is not done fighting

Don't know if he ever will be.

Love that guy.

That said we are a ways away from our next election for president. There are quite a few good choices waiting in the wings. If he runs that is up to him and until the competition shows up I am all for it. I think the competition is going to be stiff in our next go around.
We are likely to be looking at an almost guaranteed Dem win. There will be a lot of people clamoring for that spot.

Good luck to you Joe if nothing else it will be great to see you on stage fighting again.

[Skittles]

46. FUCK no

[still_one]

47. I am going to worry about 2018 for now

[bagelsforbreakfast]

52. Can you blame him seeing Trump is Pres now? n/m

[cwydro]

54. Well, he should have run.

Too late now.

[Unrepentant Fenian]

55. Go Joe !

[Laura PourMeADrink]

57. Gravitas, Knowledge, Heart, Class, Passion...PERFECT !!!!nt

[Jakes Progress]

61. He would have a hard time getting minority turnout.

His actions - and subsequent lack of apology - during the Anita Hill testimony would be writ large in any campaign.

[haveahart]

62. After Trump, even I want to be President!

[joet67]

64. After tRump, I would let any average c-store cashier have a crack at it. nt

[BlueStater]

65. Forget it.

His time has come and gone. Geez.

[Kathy M]

67. Why shoot down anone who runs in primaries ,the more there are the better

I think anyone who wants to should ..... they are the ones that have to raise the money