Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumNo one cares about Joe Biden's gaffes except media and politicos
Former Gov. Ed Rendell, opinion contributor
If you read my periodic columns in The Hill, you know I am a Joe Biden supporter. I believe that the former vice president is a decent, honorable man who possesses the right values for America and cares deeply about all people. I am certain he would restore rationality and decency to the American presidency. But I would write this column regardless of who I was supporting in the 2020 presidential election, because I believe it must be said.
Though I don't have an estimated number, and I'm not sure if anyone really tracks this, there are thousands of us in America who closely follow politics on a daily basis. That includes members of the national media, and some in local media organizations, and those of us who make our living from politics. To us, gaffes by candidates are huge news; sometimes they wind up featured on the front page of newspapers. But often, average Americans don't think that what we insiders consider a gaffe truly is a gaffe - or they really don't care whether candidates are prone to gaffes.
An example of the former was when the media made a big deal about Biden saying, "Poor kids are just as bright and just as talented as white kids," which he immediately corrected by saying, "Wealthy kids, black kids, Asian kids." If you played an excerpt of his comments to an average voting-age American, he or she likely would say, "Okay, tell me what was wrong with that?" Yet, we political elites made a big deal about it.
The best examples of Americans not caring about gaffes can be found in the electoral success of Ronald Reagan, who was prone to telling stories that were confusing and often inaccurate, and George W. Bush, on whom we could count for at least a gaffe a week. As I recall, President Reagan carried 49 states in his landslide election, despite his many gaffes, and "W" twice was elected president.
When it comes to Biden - to use the hot phrase of the month - it's "baked in" with the American people that he makes gaffes. They see it as a reflection of his passion, emotion and the fact that he doesn't utilize prepared remarks when speaking publicly. It actually makes him appear genuine, authentic. And his gaffes are not outright lies; they're likely the result of a faulty memory or some confusion about the facts.
If Biden becomes the Democratic Party's nominee, let's remember he would be running against a "Liar-in-Chief" who probably makes misstatements two or three times a week, at least. And just for contrast, compare Biden's gaffe about the "poor kids" to President Trump's performance on the Fourth of July, when he said: "Our army manned the air, it rammed the ramparts, it took over the airports, it did everything it had to do, and at Fort McHenry, under the rockets' red glare, it had nothing but victory."
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/no-one-cares-about-joe-bidens-gaffes-except-media-and-politicos/ar-AAGHdXE?li=BBnb7Kz
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
cwydro
(51,308 posts)Why so many gaffe threads today?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
George II
(67,782 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
KPN
(15,587 posts)his long standing "we can't" approach to Democratic politics.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
emmaverybo
(8,144 posts).
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
KPN
(15,587 posts)view many of his gaffes reflect his core view on issues. So from that regard, recognizing I am just one of many, yes I do. His gaffes are just another among the flaws or weaknesses I see in Joe as our Presidental candidate. But I dont want to attack him here. Hes just not my preference even though I have always liked and respected him as a person, and will without question vote for and support him should he be our partys nominee.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
emmaverybo
(8,144 posts)However, it seems that Bidens gaffes have not changed the fact that hes leading though certainly detractors may share your view.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
DrToast
(6,414 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
LincolnRossiter
(560 posts)Theyre still desperate to draw the race closer and/or promote Sen Warren, but they know the gaffes arent going to do the trick. Theyre probably counting next on Warren to go for his throat in the upcoming debate.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
KPN
(15,587 posts)predefined and paints any offensive which is only to be expected of any serious contender lagging the leader as unruly underhandedness.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
jalan48
(13,798 posts)main news of the day in the media , not to mention used by Republicans in non-stop attack ads. Pretending his gaffes don't matter is foolhardy.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
DCofVA
(714 posts)...if Biden is the nominee. The media will be jam-packed with his gaffes in every Republican attack ad. A lot of low information voters will be seeing the gaffes for the first time. The low-info voters can be easily discouraged from voting (thats how the Republicans win). And we really need their votes!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
emmaverybo
(8,144 posts)have been stirring up the fear over Warrens policy proposals.
Step over to a conservative news site to get an idea of that game plan. Just as easily, as with Bidens gaffes, will low-info voters latch on to RWs Warren narrative. Media is giving her no push back now because they are focusing on Joe.
But then the media gave the most horrible coverage to Obama; day after day, so-called liberal media devoted entire shows to the Jeremiah Wright problem and other guilt by association scenarios.
Not one of our candidates will escape media bad-mouth or the attempt to create a horse-race. And at the first whiff of blood in the water, be it over a gaffe, past record, M4All, media sharks will swarm in.
Im with Rendell. Media will need much more than gaffes if Biden is the nominee. So they will try to suppress votes by harping on putative racism and sexism. But those issues wont be what brainwashes low-infos into voting for Trump. Even low infos know Biden is not a racist or sexist. Its not low infos who are calling him out on those fronts.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Hekate
(90,202 posts)...I cannot imagine what cave you have been dwelling in these past 40 years. Do not ever choose a Dem based on what the GOP will think or do.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
UniteFightBack
(8,231 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden