Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Septua

(2,258 posts)
Mon Oct 10, 2022, 08:55 AM Oct 2022

Biden criticized for the nuclear armageddon comment.

I tend to agree with him.

Biden’s remarks, at a fundraising event in New York, could open him to criticism by political opponents that he is speaking in an inartful way about nuclear war – and at a political fundraiser of all places. But they are paradoxically also a little reassuring because they reveal a president who is deeply conscious of the risks of escalation with the volatile Kremlin leader.


But Biden’s comments also show that, in one way at least, Putin’s nuclear threats have worked: They have left his adversaries unsure how he might behave.

Biden told Democratic donors that the world had arrived at a dangerous moment.

“(For the) first time since the Cuban missile crisis, we have a direct threat of the use (of a) nuclear weapon if, in fact, things continue down the path they are going,” Biden said.

“We’ve got a guy I know fairly well,” Biden said of Putin.

“He’s not joking when he talks about potential use of tactical nuclear weapons or biological or chemical weapons because his military is, you might say, significantly underperforming.”


US officials are concerned that Putin might consider the use of a smaller tactical nuclear weapon in Ukraine in a desperate attempt to turn the course of the war. The White House says it has warned the Kremlin that such a decision would be “catastrophic” for Russia but has not said publicly exactly how they would respond – though there is speculation NATO might get involved and directly target Russian forces, a scenario that could lead to a dangerous escalation with Moscow.


With that in mind, Biden appeared to be making an argument, which Putin will now be sure to hear about, that the idea that the use of a tactical nuclear weapon in Ukraine could be contained and not lead to a wider conflagration is wrong.

The entire strategic logic between maintaining nuclear weapons for self-defense is that they are too terrible to be used, and any nation that did would be writing their own death warrant.



https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/07/politics/joe-biden-vladimir-putin-armageddon-analysis
14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

Lovie777

(12,324 posts)
2. The truth hurts.......
Mon Oct 10, 2022, 09:01 AM
Oct 2022

Putin is a evil madman who refuses to be defeated and must win at any cost.

Sounds familiar? The USA have evil madmen/women here in our own country.

Irish_Dem

(47,343 posts)
4. He is going to get criticized no matter what he does.
Mon Oct 10, 2022, 09:06 AM
Oct 2022

So he should just do the right thing and let Putin know there will be consequences.

GoCubsGo

(32,086 posts)
5. His political opponents will criticize him, regardless of what he says and does.
Mon Oct 10, 2022, 09:07 AM
Oct 2022

He said what needed to be said. If they have problems with that, fuck them. Biden knows what he's doing, and he has been doing it right all along the way. This time is no different.

paleotn

(17,947 posts)
6. I think the only ones concerned
Mon Oct 10, 2022, 09:07 AM
Oct 2022

are those seeking diligently for a reason, any reason, to criticize Biden. This ain’t it it’s weak soup. He speaks the truth. Americans need to hear it, no matter the venue in which it’s spoken.

Historic NY

(37,452 posts)
8. The Doomsday clock has bet set at 100 seconds to Midnight since
Mon Oct 10, 2022, 09:19 AM
Oct 2022

Last edited Mon Oct 10, 2022, 10:15 AM - Edit history (1)

Trump was elected. Its not backing off

BeyondGeography

(39,379 posts)
9. Stepping in it at fundraisers isn't a new thing
Mon Oct 10, 2022, 09:26 AM
Oct 2022

A familiar and unfortunate problem.

If you think Biden’s advisors didn’t wince at this you’re probably wrong. You can’t criticize Russia for “loose talk” on nukes and throw a term like Armageddon out there without expecting some incoming.

karynnj

(59,504 posts)
10. As to putin succeeding in making us unsure, even before his statement there was already concern
Mon Oct 10, 2022, 09:33 AM
Oct 2022

Various Biden people, including Blinken were already being asked if they should fear use of nuclear weapons. Biden ' s comment was in keeping with those responses.

It is the fact that Putin HAS the ability to use nuclear weapons that makes this a very tricky situation. If you consider both the Obama response to Russia invading Crimea as they denied doing so and Biden's response to Russia invading Ukraine, you can see everything was muted due to Russia being a nuclear power. In fact, you can go back to the GWB years when Russia invaded Georgia.

Initech

(100,100 posts)
12. Someone needs to spell it out. We're dealing with an absolute mad man in Russia.
Mon Oct 10, 2022, 10:07 AM
Oct 2022

And he needs to be taken out before he goes berserk and actually launches nukes. Tomorrow may be too late.

Zambero

(8,965 posts)
14. So will Biden's opponents be reassuring us that Putin is an OK guy?
Mon Oct 10, 2022, 10:19 AM
Oct 2022

Hey folks, not to worry about all those nuke threats. He's only bluffing, even though he said he wasn't. Dubya once looked into his eyes and his soul checked out just fine. And besides, since we're more than willing to take a Las Vegas gamble on Vlad's intentions, just figure that whatever happens in Ukraine stays in Ukraine!

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Biden criticized for the ...