On the plus side: Biden is a good man, a compassionate man, and an authentic man. He would be a competent, caring, effective president. He speaks from his heart and, yes, that sometimes means gaffes.
On the down side: Biden is a career politician who made his way in an earlier, bygone era. He learned to play by the old rules, played well, played successfully, but in an age of hi-tech communications and instant fact-checking, and being able to see where the money is coming from, that old playbook no longer works.
Those like Bernie Sanders and (my favorite) Elizabeth Warren play by the new rules. They do not accept money from lobbyists, corporate PACs or special interests, have consistent messages that have no wavered even in the years they were not popular, and their loyalty is to real people, not the special interests they refuse to take money from.
We get it that it is great that Joe Biden can work across the aisle with people including even those he disagrees with. Again, it was a different era. In the “take-no-prisoners” uncompromising rigidity of a Mitch McConnell, that doesn’t work anymore, as Obama painfully learned.
And in any case, Biden could have gotten the same point across without using the example of segregationist James Eastland calling him “son” instead of “boy” as an example of “civility.” NO! It was an example of RACISM. The reason Biden got called “son” instead of “boy” was because he was WHITE. Barack Obama or Cory Booker would NOT have gotten called “son.”
That, on the heels of flip-flopping on the Hyde Amendment and his history with women (Anita Hill, being “touchy-feely)” and his history of harsh “get tough” crime legislation, mark him as a candidate of the past, not the future.
Sure, if he gets the nomination, he would be a competent, decent president, but he is not the best option for the 2020 Democratic primaries.
I don’t care about the gaffes. I care about his support of corporations and the wealthy over regular people. I care about his consistent support (and unquestioning funding) of war.
I know that 110 is the new 90, but being president of the USA (as opposed to be president of the PTA) demands younger blood (and younger minds). Like Clinton last time around, Biden’s time has passed him by. No question, Biden would be an improvement over Trump (so would a lobotomized amoeba), but we can, we should, we MUST do better than the minimum.
If he’s the candidate, I’ll vote for him. But I’m working to get Elizabeth Warren into that slot instead: I like that she’s authentic; I like that she’s already done her gaffe and had the class to not just walk it back but actually apologize and make it right; and I very much like that she’s not only got a list (that I like) of things that need doing, but a lot of work already done for how to make it financially feasible.
DD Wiz Premium Member almost 5 years ago
On the plus side: Biden is a good man, a compassionate man, and an authentic man. He would be a competent, caring, effective president. He speaks from his heart and, yes, that sometimes means gaffes.
On the down side: Biden is a career politician who made his way in an earlier, bygone era. He learned to play by the old rules, played well, played successfully, but in an age of hi-tech communications and instant fact-checking, and being able to see where the money is coming from, that old playbook no longer works.
Those like Bernie Sanders and (my favorite) Elizabeth Warren play by the new rules. They do not accept money from lobbyists, corporate PACs or special interests, have consistent messages that have no wavered even in the years they were not popular, and their loyalty is to real people, not the special interests they refuse to take money from.
We get it that it is great that Joe Biden can work across the aisle with people including even those he disagrees with. Again, it was a different era. In the “take-no-prisoners” uncompromising rigidity of a Mitch McConnell, that doesn’t work anymore, as Obama painfully learned.
And in any case, Biden could have gotten the same point across without using the example of segregationist James Eastland calling him “son” instead of “boy” as an example of “civility.” NO! It was an example of RACISM. The reason Biden got called “son” instead of “boy” was because he was WHITE. Barack Obama or Cory Booker would NOT have gotten called “son.”
That, on the heels of flip-flopping on the Hyde Amendment and his history with women (Anita Hill, being “touchy-feely)” and his history of harsh “get tough” crime legislation, mark him as a candidate of the past, not the future.
Sure, if he gets the nomination, he would be a competent, decent president, but he is not the best option for the 2020 Democratic primaries.
kaffekup almost 5 years ago
“Gaffes” is what we now call honesty. And I appreciate him being fairly honest.
But I can’t agree with his policies and beliefs, that you have enumerated.
Durak Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Ah, Joe Biden. Bless his heart.
Cerabooge almost 5 years ago
I don’t care about the gaffes. I care about his support of corporations and the wealthy over regular people. I care about his consistent support (and unquestioning funding) of war.
Alberta Oil Premium Member almost 5 years ago
You know the trump will be re-elected when goofy stuff like this gets all the media attention.
Godfreydaniel almost 5 years ago
I know that 110 is the new 90, but being president of the USA (as opposed to be president of the PTA) demands younger blood (and younger minds). Like Clinton last time around, Biden’s time has passed him by. No question, Biden would be an improvement over Trump (so would a lobotomized amoeba), but we can, we should, we MUST do better than the minimum.
Richard S Russell Premium Member almost 5 years ago
That lady behind the curtain — doesn’t she look a lot like Sarah Huckabee Sanders? I heard she was looking for a new gig!
Concretionist almost 5 years ago
If he’s the candidate, I’ll vote for him. But I’m working to get Elizabeth Warren into that slot instead: I like that she’s authentic; I like that she’s already done her gaffe and had the class to not just walk it back but actually apologize and make it right; and I very much like that she’s not only got a list (that I like) of things that need doing, but a lot of work already done for how to make it financially feasible.
William Bednar Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Peeerfect!
Daeder almost 5 years ago
He could make a million gaffes right on 5th Avenue and HE’D STILL BE A BETTER HUMAN BEING AND PUBLIC SERVANT THAN IL DOUCHE!!!!
Let’s try to keep some perspective and not forget that.