Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumDon't underestimate Joe Biden. He knows what America needs and how to get it done.
USA Today op-ed from Ron Klain.
This was published back in late April and Klain has a tweet about it pinned to the top of his Twitter account
Link to tweet
but I must've missed it, and when I searched DU for the headline I couldn't find it, so I'm guessing no one else posted it here.
It's well worth reading.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2019/04/30/joe-biden-decency-heal-americas-wounds-after-trump-column/3616672002/
-snip-
Bidens human qualities make him a better leader and a more effective politician. In February of 2009 a few weeks into the Obama presidency the administrations key economic recovery package was in trouble. The country was hemorrhaging hundreds of thousands of jobs a month, and the president was pressing for emergency legislation to prevent a second Great Depression.
Republican leaders opposed Barack Obamas plan and vowed to defeat it. Every single Republican in the House voted no. The plan came to the Senate, where the White House needed three Republicans to vote yes or else it would die, delivering a body blow to the economy and to Obamas new presidency.
Joe Biden was the person who got those three yes votes and got the bill passed. As a result, America reversed its downward spiral and made huge investments in clean energy, new roads, electric cars, tax relief for working class families, and help for those in need with expanded food stamps. The president put Biden in charge of what was the largest domestic program since the New Deal; he hit every target for getting the aid out quickly and without waste.
But if Biden knows how to win Republican votes to get things done, he also knows how to deliver change against implacable opposition. He played a key role in working with Obama and Democratic congressional leaders to pass the Affordable Care Act (an achievement he memorably called a BFD), helping to hold Democrats together and defending them against GOP attacks. He took on and beat the NRA twice in shepherding the Brady Bill and the assault weapons ban to passage.
And make no mistake: Bidens soft heart toward people in need is matched with an iron will when needed. Unlike Trumps groveling to dictators, Biden traveled to the Balkans and called dictator Slobodan Milosevic a war criminal to his face. He confronted Russian President Vladimir Putin in person in the Kremlin. He would repair our relations with our allies and restore the dignity of the presidency on a global stage.
Critics have suggested that Biden wants a throwback presidency. But his campaign is not about a restoration of a time gone by, but rather a realization of an American promise not yet achieved. When he calls for a country based on the timeless principle that government should check the abuse of power, this isnt a gauzy appeal to a time before Trump, but rather a bold statement of the kind of future we can build together if we are willing to try. It is exactly what we need in a time of powerful forces trying to arrest social and economic progress.
-snip-
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Kahuna7
(2,531 posts)Joe Biden was the person who got those three yes votes and got the bill passed. As a result, America reversed its downward spiral and made huge investments in clean energy, new roads, electric cars, tax relief for working class families, and help for those in need with expanded food stamps. The president put Biden in charge of what was the largest domestic program since the New Deal; he hit every target for getting the aid out quickly and without waste.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Kahuna7
(2,531 posts)from going into a depression. So hopefully from this day forward people can stop saying that Biden believing he can work with the gop is him being in his dotage.
Link to tweet
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
emmaverybo
(8,144 posts)accomplishments in his recent history and explains why Biden is, in fact, just the candidate for the
moment we are in.
It also should put to rest the notion that Biden isnt tough enough for Trump or world leaders who
oppose our democratic ideals here and abroad.
Biden hasnt just practiced being tough through a debate performance or a stump speech, he has
been there and actually done that.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Ferrets are Cool
(21,102 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Skya Rhen
(2,701 posts)aircraft. I, for one, would prefer to put my trust in a co-pilot than in someone who has never, ever operated from inside a cockpit.
But perhaps that's just me....
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Ferrets are Cool
(21,102 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Skya Rhen
(2,701 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Ferrets are Cool
(21,102 posts)ever operated from inside a cockpit." You did not specify that "given the current options". When you make sweeping statements, please understand that it includes ALL elections. If you can't understand that, this discussion is closed.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Skya Rhen
(2,701 posts)experience, currently in the race. This is why he is the clear front runner.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Ferrets are Cool
(21,102 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(296,732 posts)perspective, highplains
Hope that isn't too "normal" for those who don't want it!
Brilliant!
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1287262004
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Skya Rhen
(2,701 posts)hear that Joe is delusional - that repubs have never worked along with him during the Obama Presidency, so what makes him believe that they will work along with him if he becomes President.
I'd better stop listening to people who don't know what they're talking about...
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
JI7
(89,237 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
aikoaiko
(34,159 posts)Oh the author is his old chief of staff. No wonder.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Skya Rhen
(2,701 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
peggysue2
(10,819 posts)Written by someone who has had years of working beside Joe Biden and knows the measure of the man. Also calls into question all the naysayers who say Biden is delusional, that there's no working with Republicans to get things done. Which, of course, is necessary in our system to . . .
Get things done.
Nicely written. Makes me feel optimistic. Thanks for the post. I missed this when it was originally published.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
highplainsdem
(48,886 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden