Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumWashington Post-Opinion: If this Joe Biden runs, he'll win
Link to tweet
First, if Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) wants to fundamentally change the United States (Socialism! Republicans will scream) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) says the system is so rigged that incremental changes wont work, Biden appeals to Americans better angels, to the idea that President Trump doesnt understand what makes America great. Thats not who we are, he says after describing the divisiveness and anger that Trump amplifies. Were better than that, he cajoles the crowd. Its a solid message for a candidate running in a fairly good economy with a president whos stressing out the country. He also suggests a confidence of America post-Trump. (There is nothing we cant do, Biden likes to say.)
Second, there are few politicians as adept at making a traditional economic message against stereotypical fat-cat Republicans. I look around this room, I see the people who built this nation, he told the crowd. And boy, have Republicans given him material to work with. He told the firefighters, Did you see the budget that was just introduced? It cuts $845 billion ... in Medicare and ... $240 billion in Medicaid. Why? Because of a tax cut for the super-wealthy that created a deficit of $1.9 trillion and now theyve got to make somebody pay for it. Bingo.
Any presidential candidate who isnt saying some variation of that every day is foolish. This is where you remind voters that Trump ran as a populist better health care, middle-class tax relief, protect Medicare, get better trade deals but governs as an oligarch take away Obamacare, increase the gap between rich and everyone else with tax cuts for him and his pals, slash Medicare and get us into trade wars.
I am still undecided but I like Joe Biden a great deal
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
BeyondGeography
(39,284 posts)I like Joe, too, but nobody has the slightest clue who will win. President Donald Fucking Trump pretty much put an end to my faith in the predictive powers of the chattering class, particularly this far out.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
still_one
(91,962 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Mr Tibbs
(539 posts)As they do not trust the establishment, and he is as establishment as a Democrat can get.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
still_one
(91,962 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Gothmog
(143,999 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
calimary
(80,699 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
still_one
(91,962 posts)chooses someone like Kamala Harris, or one of other strong women candidates running for the Democratic nomination, I think our odds increase significantly more
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Gothmog
(143,999 posts)Senator Harris is a great retail politician and is a great candidate. She is still on my list.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
redstateblues
(10,565 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Renew Deal
(81,802 posts)And it will be ugly. His past actions will not play well in this era. It will be a shame to see him tarnished.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
lark
(23,003 posts)Every single candidate has dirt on them and if you think Repugs won't push it constantly, you're wrong. We need to have candidates with strength, with proven caring, someone who is for the working class, someone who has walked the talk - that is Biden. No, he made mistakes on bankruptcies and Thomas, but he learned from them. He is the most anti-war candidate and the most pro working class and has great bonafides on anti-corruption and he can re-establish the USA's reputation for moral governance quickly. drumpf will not be able to bully him, he will give him everything he can handle and lots more and I think would win - that's why he's my early choice.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Renew Deal
(81,802 posts)Some photographs at ceremonies will.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
TwilightZone
(25,342 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Mr Tibbs
(539 posts)Painting him as "Creepy". It will be brutal if he is the nominee.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
TwilightZone
(25,342 posts)And "we" should probably refrain from plugging right-wing talking points on a progressive/liberal website.
If we're going to discount candidates based on what the right-wing thinks of them, all of our candidates would be disqualified, including yours.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Mr Tibbs
(539 posts)He knows they have been doing this to him on Twitter, and that it would be turned up full blast to the point of drowning out everything else once he announces.
If he believes he could survive it then so be it, but Democratic candidates tend to fold up when the whole GOP unloads on them with bullshit like this.
If he is the nominee, I hope he just ignores the accusations. When Democratic politicians react to conspiracy theories against them, I believe it makes them look weak.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
elleng
(130,153 posts)I don't care what the Republicans think.
And "we" should probably refrain from plugging right-wing talking points on a progressive/liberal website.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
John Fante
(3,479 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Gothmog
(143,999 posts)Biden scares trump which is a good thing
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Response to Mr Tibbs (Reply #31)
John Fante This message was self-deleted by its author.
Awsi Dooger
(14,565 posts)Compromise somewhat reluctant pick emerging from a very large field. Solid man and not a terrible choice but once the campaign begins you realize he fit better in an earlier cycle at a younger age, and this time all the weaknesses start to show up against a more dynamic campaigner who owns enormous situational advantages.
I think it would be a steady leak and indeed ugly in totality. Tarnished is the proper word and I would hate to see it.
Al Gore was sharp enough to understand his best chance was gone. He didn't risk against an incumbent. Biden should do the same. We need someone younger and more charismatic to steal the presidency from an incumbent. Solid seems sufficient now but it wouldn't play out that way in fall 2020. Don't be trapped in today without wisely projecting tomorrow. We need special.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Turin_C3PO
(13,650 posts)Ive been thinking a lot about him...
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Mr Tibbs
(539 posts)I don't think he will be able to shake the "establishment" label.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Renew Deal
(81,802 posts)He doesn't have a problem
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Mr Tibbs
(539 posts)Conformity won't sell this time around either.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Gothmog
(143,999 posts)I have seen no polling that supports this claim. In any event, adding Senator Harris or Beto as running mate will solve this concern
I really do not think that sanders is electable and that trump would beat sanders easily if sanders was the nominee
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Response to Gothmog (Reply #47)
Stuart G This message was self-deleted by its author.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Mr Tibbs
(539 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Mr Tibbs
(539 posts)It ain't rocket science
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
LongtimeAZDem
(4,494 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Mr Tibbs
(539 posts)No. He only joined the Democratic party because:
A: He caucuses with them
B: Because in our rigged 2 party system, running as one of the two is the only way to get elected
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
LongtimeAZDem
(4,494 posts)The pledge he signed:
affirms to the DNC chairman that they "are a Democrat ... are a member of the Democratic Party; will accept the Democratic nomination; and will run and serve as a member of the Democratic Party."
According to you, he lied.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Mr Tibbs
(539 posts)He isn't part of the Democratic establishment. He has always been an outsider.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Gothmog
(143,999 posts)From Nate Silver. https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/biden-and-bernies-support-isnt-just-name-recognition/
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
BannonsLiver
(16,162 posts)Most people care about his ideas for things that affect them like taxes, jobs and healthcare when deciding whether or not they will vote for him.
There have been repeated attempts to tar him over Anita Hill by those who bizarrely somehow seem to hold Biden more responsible for Clarence Thomas behavior than they do Clarence Thomas but it just doesnt seem to stick.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
bigtree
(85,918 posts)...she needs to stop talking about the Democratic party like she has some stake in it.
She never has, and never will. I'm not impressed that she's a never-Trumper. She's been promoting republicans for just this moment. No matter that she painted a rosy picture of republican rule while she was castigating the Democratic presidency for eight years, right? A republican party which has been revealed to be more like Russian autocracy than American democracy. That's her legacy.
Rubin needs to keep our party's name out of her mouth.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Garrett78
(10,721 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
still_one
(91,962 posts)agree or disagree with
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
mac56
(17,561 posts)Hell, I'll wear it on a ball cap.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
True Blue American
(17,972 posts)Suit me fine!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Garrett78
(10,721 posts)"We are better than this." ~Kamala Harris
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
bigtree
(85,918 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
R B Garr
(16,920 posts)speech to the firefighters.
His speech was excellent, and those comments about the budget cuts were about real-life events and who they impact. People want to hear about real things instead of arguing over socialism. Joe Biden keeps it real. Those firefighters loved him. Jill Biden is also a huge asset.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
PatSeg
(46,804 posts)back in 2007. It was very similar and they loved him. I showed that speech to numerous people who became lifelong Biden supporters because of it. It was a real life Aaron Sorkin moment!
I've been an admirer and supporter of Joe almost as long as I have been on Democratic Underground, but I have to say he generally didn't get a lot of support from many DUers. It seems to have gotten a lot better during the Obama years, but I do see some of the same old criticisms emerge, though they only seem to come to light during primaries. The same thing happened to Hillary - The most admired woman in the world, as long as she wasn't running for president! Hmmm.
It is going to be a long, exhausting primary. We'll all need to take lots of breaks.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Gothmog
(143,999 posts)I like this plan https://politicalwire.com/2019/03/13/the-joe-biden-5-point-plan/
The great white (voter) hope: I can bring back the rural, white, mostly male voters who sealed the presidency for Donald Trump. Think Wisconsin.
Im liberal just not that liberal. And too liberal wont win.
Been there, done that: In this dangerous chaotic world, we need a steady hand not someone whos playing or practicing president.
Remember last year when I said: If we were in high school, Id take him behind the gym and beat the hell out of him. Well, game on: Trump wont intimidate or bully me.
If youre looking for a rising star, theres a low-risk place on the ticket next to me.
A Biden/Harris or a Biden/Beto team would be hard to beat
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
hueymahl
(2,415 posts)To be clear, there is no other issue as important as the ability to defeat the orange menace. I guess that makes me a one-issue voter!
That said, it is not clear that Biden is the leader on that issue, despite the compelling arguments asserted in the article.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Mme. Defarge
(7,982 posts)would be the best person to right the ship, help us reclaim our bearings and our identity as Americans with a steady hand and his formidable foreign policy experience for the next 4-year term. That way we might better avoid the whiplash associated with electing a candidate on the opposite end of the political spectrum from the current resident of the White House. After that I think a good progressive candidate would be able to win and govern with a larger consensus.
IMO
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
nitpicker
(7,153 posts)1. his age
2. a centrist versus the desires from the progressive contingent
3. his previous baggage
((I do like "Uncle Joe" too, but one must face how other people might think))
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
CrossingTheRubicon
(731 posts)Biden/Booker 2020
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Gothmog
(143,999 posts)I was at the state party fundraiser where we made him a honorary Texan. Booker is a great speaker
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
CrossingTheRubicon
(731 posts)But if the conditions in Nov 2020 are similar to those we have today (and they may well not be) I think we are in for a very tough election in the Electoral College. The EC stacks the decks against us, as all us Democrats are aware.
As with all Democratic loyalists, 2016 was traumatizing for me. Now we need to make sure we defeat Donald Trump and end our national nightmare. This imperative--I readily admit--leaves this Democrat feeling risk-averse.
Cold reasoning tells me that Joe Biden, a liberal I very much admire and under other circumstances I'd see as a respected elder statesman in the party who deserves his rest, is the guy who seems purpose-built to defeat Trump. The perfect anti-Trump.
A return to the Blue column of WI, MI, and PA, which I'm convinced Biben would deliver, would be enough to win in 2020 assuming we hold HRC's states. Plus I think Biden would pick up additional states.
Am I convinced that Booker, or Harris, Klobuchar, or Warren could win back these states or some other constellation of states to secure the win? I am not. I like them all. But their paths to victory seem far less certain.
I think well-thinking Americans are desperate for a return to normalcy after a shocking lapse into madness. A Joe Biden presidency is one that I believe would be very healing to our nation and one that would restore our damaged position in the free world.
So for me, I'd love to see a Biden/Booker ticket. In addition to Biden's healing character, I think Booker also speaks to the best in people. Together they'd provide a balm in this age of toxic populism.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Gothmog
(143,999 posts)When Booker was at Oxford, he became the head of the Jewish student body (no Corey is not Jewish) but he will versed in the Torah. I am tempted to support him and will probably donate to him at some point
Link to tweet
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
CrossingTheRubicon
(731 posts)I respect him immensely. Presidential material beyond question.
His biography and character are exemplary. I only wish I had two votes. I will send donations. The CA primary will be hard for me.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NYC Liberal
(20,132 posts)Im highly skeptical that the 4th time is a charm.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,110 posts)Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
sfwriter
(3,032 posts)I'm not sure I agree with that prediction. Lots of positions and actions to challenge there.
I can't imagine that his defense of marriage act vote, Iraq war vote, handling of Anita Hill, or vote for the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act in 2005 will go over that well. I think he has helped pass some of the laws we are trying to reform where drugs and sentencing are concerned.
He is also very old, or is 76 a new 50? If Bernie is too old, then Biden is too old. I think younger voters are looking for someone who is facing the same consequences of the issues bearing down on us as they are. It appears the country STILL wants change. Comfy or not, he's the same ole shoe.
Of course if it is all decided on money and connections, then yeah, he probably gets it.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Stuart G
(38,362 posts)Six months ago, he told me he would vote for Biden as his "best choice" among any candidate. Biden stands out the strongest, most solid, most experienced, and he has been through a whole lot.
.. If my friend will vote for him, then he is not the only Republican who will vote for Joe. Compare Joe to Trump. Guess what? When you do that it is all over. Nothing more needs to be said.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden