Please stop talking, Joe!

[EffieBlack]

Or at least think about what you're about to say before you say it!

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[jberryhill]

1. Not possible

I'm from Delaware and have known Joe Biden for most of my life. One semester, I spent three hours every Saturday morning in his 12-student Con Law Seminar.

"Stop talking" is not a phrase in his vocabulary.

[hlthe2b]

2. He backed off this and self-corrected...

Biden walks back praise for Pence following criticism
https://www.apnews.com/5cf1669d9bb74809ab94707f9f11b38c

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Former Vice President Joe Biden’s tendency to talk about his good relationships with Republicans landed him in trouble Thursday when he called his successor, Mike Pence, a “decent guy.”

The comment was quickly criticized by fellow Democrats, including actress and activist Cynthia Nixon, who tweeted that Biden had complimented “America’s most anti-LGBT elected leader,” forcing Biden to walk back his comment.

“You’re right, Cynthia. I was making a point in a foreign policy context, that under normal circumstances a Vice President wouldn’t be given a silent reaction on the world stage,” Biden tweeted. “But there is nothing decent about being anti-LGBTQ rights, and that includes the Vice President.”

The episode shows one of the challenges the 76-year-old Biden will face as he considers a run for the presidency. In promoting his relationships with Republicans in a way that might appeal to general election voters, Biden also risks alienating the Democrats he would need to win a primary.

His comment about Pence came during a foreign policy forum in Omaha with former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel. Biden hailed “the character, integrity and humanity I’ve seen up close” of the former GOP senator from Nebraska. He also referred to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as “a good guy.”

Biden has had kind words for other Republican officials in recent weeks.

Biden hailed the late Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona as “brother” during public events, including at a speech in Germany when he pointed out another former Defense Secretary William Cohen, a former Republican senator from New Hampshire, as “my buddy.”

One Democratic official warned that Biden should focus first on the Democratic primary, not the general election, if he decides to run.

Biden's no push-over, but he is a decidedly "decent" man and WANTS to see the good in everyone. This will be a problem for him if he doesn't keep it in check.

[EffieBlack]

6. A Democratic politician at this stage of his career shouldn't have to "walk back" comments that are

This blatantly insensitive. He shouldn't have said it in the first place.

[hlthe2b]

7. It was inappropriate. This is Biden at his core. He WANTS to see the better self in all.

That said, I don't think he's anyone's pushover. Just an inherently decent man.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

30. Exactly! You have to remember too that he knew

These guys back when they may have been 1/2 normal. Jesus, if Dems are going to go into this hyper critical hyper parse...we will never win. He needed to clarify but once he does, drop it.

If I have learned one thing from trump...it's don't over-apologize. It just perpetuates a silly misstep until it reaches critical mass.

[secondwind]

53. Agree 100 percent

[R B Garr]

9. He didn't really walk it back. He just explained the foreign

policy aspect to it that was evident from the speech, if the speech was even watched.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

31. It's almost like in today's world, you have to review

Your copy and comments before hand to insure that it's not easy to pull out potentially damaging sound bites. And I am serious. If I was running I would have a sound bite checker. The exact same thing happened to someone talking about a 90% tax rate. They weren't suggesting it but mentioning its history. But that is what survived that we want 90% tax rate.

[Stellar]

64. Biden likes everybody, Democrats as well a Republicans...

But I thinks he goes too far when he helps Republicans in their bid for re-election.
https://www.metrotimes.com/news-hits/archives/2019/01/23/new-york-times-joe-biden-campaigned-for-michigan-republican-ahead-of-midterms

New York Times: Joe Biden campaigned for Michigan Republican ahead of midterms

[R B Garr]

3. His whole foreign policy speech was excellent. His

comment wasn’t remotely about LGBT. I’m glad he explained that to Nixon.

[still_one]

5. Of course it wasn't, but it should be a lesson to all our candidates the microscope they are under

[R B Garr]

12. Sure, as we all should be aware of context. nt

[still_one]

18. No kidding

[R B Garr]

20. Well, I kind of meant who is doing the attacking,

and what their motives are, but I didn’t want to put Nixon’s comment in with that, so I kept it too brief.

[still_one]

25. I agree

[Eliot Rosewater]

28. Joe is an old fashioned American politician who comes from a time where they were decent to each

other, and even though the vile filth Newt Gingrich destroyed that, permanently, Joe insists on continuing to treat republicans decently.

He maybe shouldnt at this point because Pence is NOT one of the people Joe knows from those days, he is a very different person and a very BAD person. Or he maybe should differentiate the vile ones from the repulsive ones to the decent ones like Mueller.

I love Joe.

I want Kamala for prez, but I love Joe.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

32. It might be better to say... Back when I knew so and so

They were a great guy. I don't know why they would be supporting now. Thought they were better than that.

[still_one]

4. Thank-you for putting in the full context Effie, including Biden's response. That advice, "think

about what you say", applies to all our candidates and potential candidates

and this should be an important lesson for them all.

[monmouth4]

8. Joe, the gaffe machine. n/t

[JonLP24]

65. +1

[Funtatlaguy]

10. Golden rule: Tack left in primaries-right in the general.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

61. I like Bernie'a golden rule: be a leader by telling voters honestly, consistently & unapologetically

the progressive agenda items you will enact as president. That's how you win elections!!


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[CrossingTheRubicon]

11. Joe Biden was in the middle of taking apart the Trump Administration...

and pointing out how European leaders were dead silent when Mike Pense spoke to them about Trump and expected an applause line.

Biden was speaking to a venue that likely included many Republican voters from the dying "moderately conservative" wing of the party.

Joe Biden is pursuing the 50 state strategy. It is time for Democrats to be the majority party in the Senate, House, White House, Governorships, and State Houses.

Biden made his point very well. He should keep talking as one of the true statesmen of our party.

The was the cheapest type of cheap shot. Usual suspects.

[EffieBlack]

37. When a comment needs this much explanation, it's a problem

[CrossingTheRubicon]

39. Only for those who are adverse to critical thinking

[EffieBlack]

40. Which includes a lot of voters

[CrossingTheRubicon]

43. Not Biden voters

[EffieBlack]

44. At this point, there aren't enough "Biden voters" to win bin the nomination and a general election

He has to convince a whole lot of people who aren't already supporting him to vote for him . He needs to preach to folks far beyond his choir.

[CrossingTheRubicon]

47. I entirely disagree that there are not enough Biden voters.

I'm convinced the party will unite behind him. He speaks to the widest spectrum of the party faithful of anyone running in my estimation. It a big choir.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

51. Joe certainly would start as the odds on favorite given his significant name recognition...

having served as Obama's VP for 8 years. But, with time, I think Joe would slowly fade, like the rest of the Democratic field, in the face of Bernie's authentic progressive agenda.


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[CrossingTheRubicon]

55. "Significant name recognition" is damning with faith praise.

Americans know Joe Biden and his character, as they know Bernie Sanders and his.

It is Sanders who will fade (and quickly).

BS is not a progressive. Biden will lead our party.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

59. Keep dreamin.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

62. **THIS**

[KPN]

13. Too late ... by about 20-30 years. This has always been Joe's problem. He's too honest;

too genuine.

Ironically, that's partly what makes him so likable to a lot of us.

I like him a lot. But this is not his time. It's not the time for a leader who seeks cooperation through compromise. The GOP has bludgeoned the democratic agenda over the past 30 years because of our belief in camaraderie, cooperation and compromise. Those things only work if they are genuinely mutual. The GOP has proven they are not.

[Funtatlaguy]

63. You can't compromise with crazy or ruthless people.

[KPN]

67. Well, you can -- but it's self-defeating. I believe we as a whole have done that too many times in

the past. To be fair, there are times in the not too distant past (pre-Tea Party/Trump) when the Rs sometimes compromised on key issues. But by and large, the compromises have weighed more to their favor overall on the issues that have been important to labor and working-class socio-economic well-being.

[Garrett78]

14. Some seem to only remember Biden as lovable Uncle Joe who pals around with Obama buying burgers.

They seem to forgot all the different reasons why he has never come even remotely close to being our nominee.

And then you've got the people who actually think the key to victory in 2020 is flipping white male Trump supporters. It's lunacy.

[Funtatlaguy]

15. The 40% of exclusive Fox watching

Electorate are unreachable.
We should concentrate on getting massive registration and turnout of the reachable 60%.

[rogue emissary]

16. +1

How he missed handled the Anita Hill hearing has been forgiven by a lot of Democrats.

[tblue37]

33. Also the bankruptcy bill. nt

[rogue emissary]

34. Ugh, forgot that one.

If people want a white guy. Why not get behind the draft Beto or any of the other white guys that have announced. I love and respect uncle Joe but he's got a lot of baggage.

[Garrett78]

50. That baggage and his age would weigh on him heavily. I completely disagree...

...with this notion that Biden is our best option. I think Harris-Beto would produce much greater Democratic turnout than Biden-whoever. Some will say that such a ticket will produce greater Republican turnout, too, but I don't think that would prove to be true (or consequential).

There are those who are still stuck on this myth that we lost in 2016 due to white working class economic anxiety and too much focus on identity politics. Both of those narratives have been proven absurdly false.

[CrossingTheRubicon]

17. There is a reason that one of the greatest presidents in the history of the republic...

chose Joe Biden to be his vice-president.

Biden appeals to every part of our base. He is uniquely poised to beat Donald J Trump in the Electoral College.

The only "lunacy" would be to spurn our strongest candidate.

[Garrett78]

49. I don't accept the premise that he's our strongest candidate.

Biden made sense as a VP selection for Obama. It was a strategic and wise choice.

But Biden is gaffe-prone, has quite a bit of baggage and he'll be 78 years old. His 2 previous attempts to get nominated came up way, way short. He left the 1988 campaign very early after facing accusations. In 2008, he dropped out after getting just 4% in Iowa. Pre-Obama Biden was never considered a strong candidate for POTUS. And had he not been VP, nobody would be clamoring for a 76-year-old white male with baggage and a penchant for sticking his foot in his mouth.

There were many factors at play in 2016 that won't be at play in 2020. Prior to 2016, we had dominated WI, MI and PA ever since 1992. This notion that we must nominate a white male to win those states is not justified. There will inevitably be anti-Clinton Trump voters who vote Dem in 2020, but it would be foolish to center a campaign or nominee choice on flipping Trump voters. We win by turning out our base the way we did in 2018.

[CrossingTheRubicon]

56. Biden was a strategic and wise choice in 2008 and the same is true in 2020.

Biden will lead the party to victory.

The insults are pretty ugly ones. Big mistake, methinks.

Also false is the accusation that anyone is saying only a white man can win. Biden can win. He will take PA, WI, and MI. That's not due to his color or gender but his character.

Biden unites all the wings of our party and wins back Obama Democrats who defected.

Joe Biden is the man for the moment. Slandering him and those who support our likely nominee is unwise.

[ucrdem]

58. Exactly.

Biden was a politically perfect choice, he did a great job, and that gives him a stature no other candidate can match. That's just the way it is.

[R B Garr]

19. No reason to stay out of red states, though.

I liked another posters comment about a 50-state strategy. Agreed that Trump’s racist base won’t change, but Trump has attacked our entire intelligence community. A government shutdown over a vanity wall, unprecedented attacks on our institutions. So there has to be someone else who isn’t arguing about Democratic socialism.

[WeekiWater]

21. K&R

[Bradshaw3]

22. Joe is just fine

Funny how we're not supposed to bash Dems but some do anyway.

[jberryhill]

23. There is a world of difference between "bashing" and "criticizing"

It is unfortunate that many do not appreciate the difference.

I like Joe Biden a lot.

I am not, however, a resident of some Pyongyang-On-The-Chesapeake here.

[Bradshaw3]

24. Talk about not understanding differences

Claiming my comments display some kind of Pyongyang-On-The-Chesapeake is beyond ridiculous. I know the difference between bashing and criticizing and my post stands. I call it bashing.

[jberryhill]

46. Okay, okay, you're right

Technically, Delaware does not border the Chesapeake.

[still_one]

27. Your analogy is a little bit over the top, no?

[jberryhill]

45. You're right, sorry

Delaware does not technically border the Chesapeake, due to a strip of Maryland along that side of the peninsula.

So, I apologize for exaggerating the size of Delaware, but calling it Pyongyang-by-the-Delaware-Bay was a little awkward, and I figure more people are familiar with the Chesapeake.

[defacto7]

54. That surely was a zaney and madcap comment.

Twice

[mainstreetonce]

26. Joe is honest

Sometimes too honest for a politician ,so sometimes his words will be a problem. He will explain them honestly. He doesn't talk phony like Trump.
I understand Joe.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

60. I do like that about Joe.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[marylandblue]

29. It seems that even faint praise for a Republican is no longer allowed

Maybe that's how some Democratic primary voters want it. Maybe that view will win out in the end.

I am not a Biden supporter. I have other reasons not to support him, but I still think it's sad.

[EffieBlack]

38. This wasn't faint praise for just any Republican

It was praise and validation of the Number Two guy on the ticket he wants to run against. And you can bet that neither person on that ticket is going to be going around saying what a decent person ANY Democratic nominee is.

[CrossingTheRubicon]

41. Bullocks. Joe Biden was not praising or validating Pence.

He was commenting on the fact that there was a pin-drop moment of silence when Pence mentioned Trump.

[marylandblue]

48. Still don't think it's a big deal that he said something nice about Pence.

In fact, I can't imagine any criticism of a Democratic candidate that would actual register with me. Every candidate is guaranteed a ton of criticism and negative attacks from all sides, from now until election day. If I actually paid attention to it, I'd have nobody to vote for.

So I am more concerned about how they respond to criticism than whatever precipitated criticism in the first place. In this case, given a criticism from the left, I think Biden handled it fairly well. He's going to get more criticism about his long record, past scandals and his personality. I don't know if he will handle all that well enough. We'll see.

[R B Garr]

52. If you see the speech, it's barely a noticeable passing

comment, not at all praise or validation, more like a generic acknowledgement of respect for the office of VP which he occupied prior. It was not a significant part of anything he was talking about.

If you see the speech, these kinds of over descriptions don’t match the moment Biden was in. It’s starting to look like some of this is to paint him into a corner to amplify other past grievances.

[mopinko]

35. this is what i took the comment to mean- the silence wasnt about pence

i think he is just trying to point out that they had no reason to go silent because they had something against pence, and that it clearly was about spanky.
just gaming out possible "plausible" explanations.

[Andy823]

36. You are a decent guy Joe

Mike Pence will NEVER be a decent guy, and he never was.

[Devil Child]

42. Mountain out of molehill n/t

[ucrdem]

57. That's what it looks like.

The knives are out and the gaffe megaphones are standing by. I'm beginning to see why Biden is taking his time to announce.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

66. Joe Biden said something he walked back and a lot of people are explaining away?

Huh.

[CrossingTheRubicon]

68. Seems like Cynthia Nixon is auditioning to play the part of Susan Sarandon in the role of...

"let's help bring on the Revolution by helping Trump win" Activist #1, Part II.

Cynthia Nixon is a "decent" actress...