'I thought you were high': Cory Booker, Joe Biden and complications of race, legal weed

[TexasTowelie]

It was the biggest laugh of the night.

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., offered a few words of respect toward former Vice President Joe Biden, standing at another podium on the debate stage just a few feet away.

A few days earlier, Biden said that there was "not nearly enough evidence as to whether or not marijuana is a gateway drug."

To an African American senator from the biggest city in New Jersey, where black people make up more than half the population, this was proof of a candidate out of touch with black voters.

"This week, I hear (Biden) literally say that I don’t think we should legalize marijuana," Booker said. "I thought you might have been high when you said it."

Read more: https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/new-jersey/marijuana/2019/11/25/new-jersey-legal-weed-vote-marijuana-cory-booker-joe-biden-2020-debate/4259289002/

[Cha]

1. Biden wins endorsement of top Florida Democrat

TALLAHASSEE — Florida State Sen. Audrey Gibson, one of the more prominent Democrats in state government, said she is endorsing Vice President Joe Biden, a boost for the candidate in a state that could prove pivotal if the nominating battle lasts into March.

Gibson, an African American, is the Florida Senate’s top Democrat. The chamber is narrowly controlled by Republicans. While other Democratic legislators jumped in early to endorse Biden, Gibson initially stayed on the sidelines.

During the last Democratic debate U.S. Sen. Cory Booker went after Biden, saying that his position on marijuana legalization showed that he was out of touch with the black community.

Gibson, however, did not agree with that.

“I understand he’s not an African American, everybody understands that part,” Gibson said. “That doesn’t mean he cannot be communicative and be focused on issues that impact certain African American communities."

"You don’t have to be an African American to have an understanding of what folks go through," she said.

Wow.. Booker's shot there didn't work with State Senator Audrey Gibson(FL-Dem)... anyway!

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1287&pid=360507

[PatSeg]

2. Cory should have taken a clue

from when Harris attacked Joe. Or Castro. It seemed to diminish the attackers' standing and strengthen Biden's. Its not that the candidates cannot criticize one another, but when the criticism comes across as blatantly political and petty, it is a turnoff for Democratic voters. In addition, Cory made a joke at the expense of another candidate, making it look more like ridicule than humor. That likewise does not sit well with voters.

Also Joe is a well established beloved Democratic figure and unless you already don't like him, such attacks make those who do like him, defensive on his behalf.

[DarthDem]

3. Yup

And Booker's campaign is certainly not "high" in the polls, cheap attack lines (even ones that actually aren't funny) or not.

[PatSeg]

4. It is never a good idea to

boost yourself up, by tearing someone else down. A clever soundbite will only get temporary attention, but won't win an election. Focus on your experience, policies, and objectives if you want to be elected. You do not want to be the candidate who's soundbite is played every four years as the pivotal mistake that ________ made in _______.

[Cha]

5. I know, Pat.. well said.. it's the craziest thing

how all the personal attacks against Biden have backfired.

[PatSeg]

6. Maybe because the attacks came

from younger, a little greener candidates, who underestimated the love and support that Joe has earned over many years. Even people who disagree with him, tend to have a very high regard for him. That is another reason why Trump's petty attacks will just bounce off. Shoot even Lindsey Graham said, "If you can't admire Joe Biden as a person, then probably you've got a problem, you need to do some self-evaluation. Joe Biden is as good a man as God ever created."

I think that opinion is pretty consistent in DC, but some of the candidates didn't get the memo!

[Cha]

7. Right.. it seems like they

had no idea what they were stepping into.

[PatSeg]

8. Kind of a rough lesson to learn!

Hopefully, they will know better not to step in it again.

[oasis]

9. Cory's clever Kool aid flavor quip in a previous debate, was another dud.