Should Joe Biden give a speech on the civil unrest and rioting in our cities?

[kentuck]

Could he draw a contrast with the guy in the White House who has said nothing productive to resolve the problems?

Could he state the difference between "peaceful protests" and rioting, looting, and destruction of private property?

Could he inform the citizens of this country about the systemic racism in many police departments and the need for police reforms?

Could he inform the citizens of this country that police brutality against any of our citizens must end? We must have equal justice under the law.

Would it look presidential for him to give such a speech? Or would it be too much of a political gamble to take?

[Sedona]

1. This was a turning point in 2008

[themaguffin]

2. I think so. Every time Joe speaks, it's presidential and it could also help people to hear him.

[Tetrachloride]

3. I believe he is preparing the atmosphere for this.

Let the people get used to him being in a certain place.

If a politician (or any person) were to suddenly appear, we would all feel that person is an opportunist. Joe has been and is there. He will be even more "there." Then a big speech either solo or at a debate will be all the stronger, both in kindness and in facing Trump and the right wing.

[RussBLib]

4. I say yes

I think he has to respond. Politics is a risk. If he doesn't, they will put words in his mouth. Of course, they will do that anyway, but still.....

[dalton99a]

5. Biden or Harris should also give a speech when the Covid death toll reaches 200,000

A horrible milestone for which Trump is responsible

[Moostache]

13. So, about 10 days from now?

They should speak out on the violence and stop allowing Trump to paint this as a "Democratic controlled city" issue.

They must condemn the opportunists and the looters and the arsonists, but they must refocus the issue on policing policies, training and interactions with minorities, mentally ill and vulnerable underclass citizens - mainly blacks but also Latinos, Asians, Native people and even the poorest white communities.

The current reliance on over-policing areas "because that is where the crime is" instead of asking the more pertinent questions - "WHY is there more crime?", "WHAT in our systems makes this continue unabated?", "HOW can we do better for society and for those in the weakest positions among us?"...

Screaming at black men, punching, kicking and beating them, shooting them, framing them and lather, rinse, repeat thinking has gotten us here. It has persisted for CENTURIES...and it DOES NOT WORK, IT IS INHUMANE AND IT ONLY MAKES US ALL LESS SAFE.

These points need to be made over and over and over to combat the fear mongering and racism (open, bald-faced racism) being pushed by Trump and his mob.

[StarfishSaver]

6. What "civil unrest and rioting in our cities"?

Please don't describe isolated incidents - very isolated and mostly engaged in by people unrelated to the protests and likely connected to right wingers - using the coded language provided by Trump.

[Sogo]

17. Best comment on this thread!

[qazplm135]

7. Of course

He's going to have to rebut the darkness. It's not going to rest, and it's too appealing to too many people.

He has to counter it daily.

[gulliver]

8. It would be presidential and would be a good idea imo.

[Hoyt]

9. Biden probably needs to comment. But, he has to make it clear that violence is

just not acceptable.

trump's best chance right now to win in November is to convince voters that Biden is soft on preventing burning down businesses, etc. We know he's not and will do much better easing tensions than trump. But, the 5% or so who might vote for Biden will not if trump convinces enough that this will just get worse.

[randr]

10. He damn well better

It is too close to get painted into a corner. He needs to show Trump as the cause of the unrest

[mzmolly]

11. I think laying out a plan and having an interview

first on the subject would be good.

[kentuck]

12. Also, he could inform the public that much of the violence and destruction is from outside agitators

...and white supremacists, and militia-types.

They come into these cities from other places and agitate for violence and destruction of private property. We don't know if they are being paid to do so, but we cannot say for certain that they are not...

[dreamland]

14. He should wait...

To address the unrest will be helpful but the GOP made it about cops and "bad guys",i.e. protesters and black people. To take one side over the other could be damaging to his campaign now, even through we see the unfairness and the racial inequalities. I believe there is a bigger part of the population in which unjust issues is not their concern as compared to having their law enforcement questioned. The general population does not want to believe that we can have bad cops who are supposedly keeping law and order for them. This is a hot issue and needs to be addressed but perhaps after the elections.

[blm]

15. Yes.

[stillcool]

16. only if the conversation is about solutions..

talking, just to talk, is worse than not talking at all.

[In It to Win It]

18. Yes. I think both Joe and Kamala should also do

virtual or in-person (but socially distanced) town halls as well in those rust belt states.

I think people need to see Joe and Kamala interact with voters a little more like we saw at the convention.