Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumBiden helped himself, mostly
Biden helped himself, mostly
By Jennifer Rubin at the Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/07/05/biden-helped-himself-mostly/?utm_term=.84a67db9ea2e
"SNIP......
However, Bidens interview was overall a success, in part because he was doing it in the first place. He has been cloistered from network interviews and inclined to keep the press at bay during his campaign appearances. That turned out to be a poor idea, both because it left him rusty and because his opponents, by and large, are eager to appear whenever and wherever they can. If the CNN interview is the beginning of a new Biden press strategy, it couldnt come fast enough.
Even better, Biden is affirmatively defending his policy stance which just so happens to be popular with most voters, even Democratic primary voters. Look, its center left, thats where I am. Where its not is way left, he said, emphatically distancing himself from his three closest rivals, who have embraced proposals such as Medicare-for-all. Biden defended the public health-care option (I believe there should be health care for everyone. Thats rational and will cost a hell of a lot less and will work) and reminded voters that if they like their employer-based insurance, which a lot of unions broke their neck to get, a lot of people like theirs, they shouldnt have to give it up. Perhaps in a preview of what hell deliver at the next debate, Biden went on offense to point out the logistical nightmare of moving everyone to Medicare. (How long is that going to take? Whats it going to do?)
He went down the list, dinging the items his opponents eagerly embraced. Decriminalizing illegal entry into the United States? Nope. I think people should have to get in line, but if people are coming because theyre actually seeking asylum, they should have a chance to make their case. Giving illegal immigrants health insurance? Not happening. I think undocumented people need to have a means by which they can be covered when theyre sick, Biden said. Thats what I think we should be doing, by building more clinics around the country, not just for undocumented but for other people. When theyre ill, when theyre sick, its just common decency. These are perfectly mainstream, sensible positions which his team should hope he sticks up for in the next debate.
Biden showed some feistiness toward President Trump. The idea that Id be intimidated by Donald Trump hes the bully that I knew my whole life, Biden told Cuomo. Hes the bully that Ive always stood up to. Hes the bully that used to make fun when I was a kid that I stutter, and Id smack him in the mouth. Thats not an approach that is going to work for female candidates or for the cool, cerebral Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Ind. It might, however, serve Biden well.
.....SNIP"
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
bluewater
(5,376 posts)That's the first line in the OP article.
It continues:
"In that respect, former vice president Joe Biden wasn't helping himself in an interview with CNN's Chris Cuomo that aired Friday by rehashing a Democratic presidential-debate exchange with Sen. Kamal D. Harris (D-Calif.) about federally mandated busing for school integration. Worse, Biden's admission that he was unprepared for Harris' attack on his opposition to the policy in the 1970s isn't going to help him get back on track."
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
applegrove
(118,773 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
George II
(67,782 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
bluewater
(5,376 posts)But if I don't praise it profusely, I am afraid I will be attacked about "consistently trying to bring Biden down", as I just was in another thread. In fact, something similar seems to be happening right in this discussion.
But let me say I agree with you, "The old joe is back."
Am I allowed to say that's a mixed bag, mostly good, but still mixed? Probably not.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
True Blue American
(17,988 posts)Especially with Cuomos gotcha questions. Joe laid out why he was Center Left! So am I, that is what I want to hear. If a woman VP makes it fine, if it is a younger man, fine!
What is up with the perfectly curled hair? Teased like an older woman. Perfect curls.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(297,610 posts)in a positive thread about Joe Biden, right out of the gate. I wouldn't expect anything more. That's what you do.
You're not helping your candidate and you certainly haven't changed any minds of people who support Joe Biden.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
George II
(67,782 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(297,610 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
True Blue American
(17,988 posts)See her fighting the corporations and working hard for the middle class. Those 2 would be a great ticket.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Skya Rhen
(2,701 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
RelativelyJones
(898 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Chemisse
(30,817 posts)All the people who criticized her for picking on poor Joe Biden were short-sighted. The candidates must be out there sparring to get into shape.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
onetexan
(13,058 posts)Opportunistic, expedient person that she is. Its coming back to bite her, isnt it?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)She showed that she is willing to throw a punch. But being willing to throw a punch does not win a fight if the other boxer makes adjustments. Let's see whether Joe has what it takes, or a glass jaw. The end of July democratic debate should be really revealing in many ways.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
onetexan
(13,058 posts)Completely manufactured a fAke issue and now she's having to deal with the fallout. It wasnt smart.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Chemisse
(30,817 posts)Biden is no longer seen as the only candidate who could beat Trump and the race is now competitive.
So I would say it was smart.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
onetexan
(13,058 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
True Blue American
(17,988 posts)No to that, I can not.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
oasis
(49,406 posts)Don'tcha worry about Joe, he can handle it.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
comradebillyboy
(10,174 posts)But I will admit he's bouncing back nicely. I'll be curious to see how his developing feud with AOC and Bernie plays out. I'll support Joe in that spat.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Chemisse
(30,817 posts)I may be rooting for Kamala at this point, but I'd sure like to see the old Joe up and swinging on that debate stage again.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
mobeau69
(11,156 posts)He kept calling Chris "Man". "Come on, Man." "Look, Man."
Maybe it's just hipster talk.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Funtatlaguy
(10,886 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Drunken Irishman
(34,857 posts)Except 'man' was often 'dude' or 'dudette (when speaking to someone female)'. He'd even say that to family.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
mobeau69
(11,156 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
True Dough
(17,315 posts)"Come on, man!"
It was a little jarring. A few slip ups like being tough on Russia in Iraq, I mean the Ukraine. But otherwise a solid interview.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
treestar
(82,383 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
BeyondGeography
(39,379 posts)Why is he criticizing Barack Obama?
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
applegrove
(118,773 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
woodsprite
(11,924 posts)Been informed despite McConnells threats of blackmail re: the true Russian interference. Thats the only time I feel that Pres. Obama failed to uphold his oath of office. At that point, he knew this country was dealing with many enemies both foreign and domestic that were hijacking and destroying our government.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
UniteFightBack
(8,231 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Celerity
(43,497 posts)Decriminalizing illegal entry into the United States? Nope. I think people should have to get in line, but if people are coming because theyre actually seeking asylum, they should have a chance to make their case.
Giving illegal immigrants health insurance? Not happening. I think undocumented people need to have a means by which they can be covered when theyre sick, Biden said. Thats what I think we should be doing, by building more clinics around the country, not just for undocumented but for other people. When theyre ill, when theyre sick, its just common decency.
Biden defended the public health-care option (I believe there should be health care for everyone. Thats rational and will cost a hell of a lot less and will work) and reminded voters that if they like their employer-based insurance, which a lot of unions broke their neck to get, a lot of people like theirs, they shouldnt have to give it up.
(I DO want to know why he keeps flipping back and forth between it being Medicare , then Medicaid, then flipped back to Medicare-based) Medicaid based is a fail, as it has such low reimbursement rates, far below private insurance and also Medicare, and so doctors often refuse it.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
crazytown
(7,277 posts)Elizabeth Warren has spoken about a 'Medicaid Buy-In', but has since lined up behind mandatory 'Medicare'. Single payer health care will not be 'Medicare', it will be significantly wider with lower co-pays.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Celerity
(43,497 posts)But if we just offer a wide Medicaid-style public option (whilst keeping private insurance for those who want it), how would we overcome the much lower reimbursement rates? The doctors and hospitals will lose their collective minds in rage. Would the reimbursement rates be significantly raised from what pure Medicaid pays out now?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)as part of the ACA to begin with.
It was always understood, of course, that large numbers of people would ultimately choose the public option for themselves.
Its important to note that Biden is being a true, strong liberal in supporting our guaranteed individual freedoms, as in the right to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness, by insisting that people should have open choices.
Closing down choices and forcing an entire nation into one system is not consonant with government of, by and for the people. Freedom requires choice.
Those who created the ACA understood this is a matter of principle, not just the political reality that government oppression would anger even many millions of those who do support universal healthcare.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
zentrum
(9,865 posts)......of talking by someone who might be President: "smack him in the mouth." Really?
Make the point about bully's but don't do to the language what that punk who is now in the WH has done to it. We're supposed to be world leaders, after all.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
applegrove
(118,773 posts)talked that way. Violence was more accepted back then as was giving bullies their due that way.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
zackymilly
(2,375 posts)Trump loves this tit for tat macho crap.
We have a long way to go before the primaries.
I don't think Joe will be the nominee, but we will have to wait and see.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
applegrove
(118,773 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
True Blue American
(17,988 posts) We are not back in the day, then admit Trump is a bully. There will always be bullies.
Joe laughs at Trump. That is a cut a bully hates because there is no comeback.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
treestar
(82,383 posts)nit picking at these things doesn't help your candidate since we can do it to her too.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
mobeau69
(11,156 posts)I thought the same thing when I heard him say that.
I watched the entire interview. It was a struggle. Way too much slang, poor sentence structure and diction for someone that has been acclimated to hearing Pete and some of our other candidates answer questions.
Joe's like an old prize fighter who didn't know when to hang up his gloves. Honestly, the last couple of months have been kind of a sad spectacle.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
applegrove
(118,773 posts)of him being interviewed.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
WA-03 Democrat
(3,054 posts)Donald Mother Fucker Trump.
Hes President and destroying the country.
You poor dear, struggling through a tv interview...thanks for the bravery.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(297,610 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NoMoreRepugs
(9,456 posts)sentence structure - u want a President who relates to people or a fuckin' politically correct pantywaist who passes all the purity tests?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(297,610 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
emmaverybo
(8,144 posts)healthcare and foreign policy. He was well-able to put forth his policies, show the folly and danger of Trumps, and field Cuomos challenges.
He did a good job addressing his stance on busing.
He also makes the foreign policy issues he touched on easily understood and he shows he is thoroughly up on these.
He looks very competitive in this interview and, though strong in his own defense, keeps the argument above-board and retains throughout the composure, even temperament, ability to
listen, and upbeat, grounded personality that has made him likable.
Some might well learn from his effective speaking presence.
https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/05/politics/joe-biden-cnn-interview/index.html
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
mobeau69
(11,156 posts)Folks, folks, folks.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Skya Rhen
(2,701 posts)joking...
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Skittles
(153,185 posts)the pretzel logic is staggering
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Cha
(297,610 posts)speaks.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
mobeau69
(11,156 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Cha
(297,610 posts)I didn't do.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Mike Nelson
(9,966 posts)
"c'mon, man" seems like the '60s... like groovy, man. Doesn't sound "hep" to me, but whatever gets you votes, I'm for... I think he did more good than harm. He has to start doing more interviews and televised town halls. I would call Crooked Donald more than just a bully... how about every Democrat call him "Crooked Donald" every time he's mentioned? How about every Democrat call him "Rapist Trump" or "Alleged Rapist Trump." It would stick. He would be asked about rape at every gaggle... Dems need to use "Branding" too...
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Peacetrain
(22,878 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
mobeau69
(11,156 posts)Biden: Come on man, in 30 seconds?
Cuomo: You could've went over your time. Everybody does. You the only person I've ever heard on a debate stage say "Im out of time".
That was a good interview.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
ucrdem
(15,512 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
True Blue American
(17,988 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
highplainsdem
(49,032 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
ginnyinWI
(17,276 posts)I was for Joe when he ran in the primary against Obama. Was happy with Obama and happy he picked Joe for veep. But I wonder if hed have been president in 09, would we have had a Trump? Would he have run? We will never know and thats just how it goes.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Eric J in MN
(35,619 posts)...have Medicare for All because the logistics of signing people up would be too difficult.
The logistics of our current Frankenstein system of public spending and private profit are A-OK, though. (Sarcasm).
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Gothmog
(145,538 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden