Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) came out against former Vice President Joe Biden this weekend

[UncleNoel]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but she is dead wrong about Joe.

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) came out against former Vice President Joe Biden this weekend, saying it’s “very clear” that he’s the wrong choice to take on President Donald Trump in next year’s election.

“There are few people who fit into the kind of progress that we all want to see in this country. And I would say he is not one of them,” Omar told the Guardian, adding: "I think it has been very clear to many of the people who have been creating the kind of movement that is exciting generations, that we want somebody who really has a plan that is going to tackle a lot of the systematic challenges that we have, and he doesn’t.”

There will be no systematic changes from a "movement that is exciting generations," if the candidate who passes this muster cannot be elected, or if elected, cannot pass legistlation to further the agenda. We need to get someone elected who can get things done.

Go Joe!

[IronLionZion]

1. link?

[Celerity]

21. here

Ilhan Omar: Biden not right candidate for 'progress we all want to see'

Congresswoman addresses Iowa People’s Presidential Forum
Elizabeth Warren overtakes Joe Biden in new Iowa poll

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/sep/22/ilhan-omar-joe-biden-iowa-peoples-presidential-forum

At the Iowa People’s Presidential Forum on Saturday, organisers hoped to serve up an antidote to the Polk County Steak Fry, an event a few miles down the road that drew 17 Democratic presidential candidates to deliver stump speeches and pose for selfies with 12,000 attendees.

The people’s forum, organized by a collective of grassroots groups, aimed to push progressive policy initiatives. It hosted four candidates, including Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, frontrunners in the state that will hold the first nomination ballot on 3 February next year.

Perhaps the most notable absence was that of Joe Biden, the former vice-president who Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement Action, the forum organiser, declined to invite after his campaign failed to respond to a questionnaire. Biden, a centrist in a field increasingly dominated by progressive ideas, has dropped behind Warren in the polls in Iowa for the first time.

To a number of speakers at the forum, his absence spoke volumes.

The Minnesota congresswoman Ilhan Omar, one of four new members of the House of Representatives racially abused by Donald Trump, gave the keynote speech. She demanded “a president who realises we are not just fighting for one election, we are fighting for the very soul of our democracy and what society we want to become”.

snip

[UncleNoel]

33. Thanks!

for posting the link for me... My bad!

[Celerity]

34. yw!

[emmaverybo]

55. I think Biden said it first and introduced this idea right out of the gate--that we are in a struggle

fi4 the soul of this nation. He reminded us when speaking in Iowa of our democratic ideals and how
hostile Trump is to them.

Snip———————————————————

Jonathan Capeheart


What gave Biden’s address more power was that it wasn’t just a harangue against Trump. It was a reminder of who we are as a nation, “the soul of America,” as he called it.

Snip——————————————————-

Biden
What this president doesn’t understand is that unlike every other nation on earth, we're unable to define what constitutes "American" by religion, by ethnicity, or by tribe; you can't do it.

America is an idea. An idea stronger than any army, bigger than any ocean, more powerful than any dictator or tyrant. It gives hope to the most desperate people on earth….

The most powerful idea in the history of the world I think beats in the hearts of the people of this country. And it beats in all of us. No matter your race, your ethnicity. No matter your gender identity, your sexual orientation. No matter your faith. It beats in the heart of rich and poor alike. It unites America -- whether your ancestors were Native to these shores or they were brought here forcibly and enslaved, whether they were immigrants generations back, like my family from Ireland, or those coming today looking to build a better life for your family.

The American creed – that we are all created equal –was written long-ago. But the genius of every generation of Americans has opened it wider and wider and wider, to include those who have been excluded in a previous generation. That’s why it has never gathered dust in the history books.

Snip———————————————————

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/08/07/joe-biden-reminded-all-us-what-presidential-president-would-sound-like/

Biden has also addressed in his foreign policy speech the rise of fascism in Europe, the threat
against democracy that is spreading.

I think if Omar is going to talk about Joe she should see his launch video, listen to hi# speeches, and read abou5 his policies an$ their details.

[trotsky]

2. "Nothing would fundamentally change"

https://www.salon.com/2019/06/19/joe-biden-to-rich-donors-nothing-would-fundamentally-change-if-hes-elected/

[LongtimeAZDem]

38. Good old "Clinton would be worse than Trump" Salon

[trotsky]

44. Yeah, how dare they quote Biden's words.

[lark]

3. Well, just becauae she's the enemy of my enemy doesn't meant she's a friend.

She's obviously not got a great understanding of the difference between drumpf and everyone else alive and what she said is just supremely stupid. I really hate purists.

[oldsoftie]

11. Agree totally.

[Rene]

4. omar shut up and sit down

[zackymilly]

6. She has a right to say how she feels. n/t

[bullwinkle428]

7. Should she "go back to where she came from" too?

[obamanut2012]

13. Yeah, no

[pangaia]

19. Right, and go back to some shit-hole country?

I certainly hope you re-think what you said...

[BeyondGeography]

26. Biden wouldn't say anything of the sort

Try to be as decent as your candidate.

[TidalWave46]

5. My current list of most likely to generate large accomplishments.

Biden
Klobuchar
Warren
Harris
Buttigieg
Beto

No particular order.

They are the only candidates I’m currently looking at as I feel they are the group of coalition builders. Each of those I’ve listed have a history of coalition building. Our candidate will be one of the people listed above because of this aspect.

[George II]

8. Did she endorse anyone or is she just against Biden?

[Peacetrain]

9. She has some worries in her own re-election

they are running a moderate republican against her.. and that could appeal to some independent voters who are more culturally conservative on social issues..

[JI7]

12. im pretty sure that is a safe blue district

[George II]

14. We don't know yet if there will be a primary challenger.

[obamanut2012]

15. No she doesn't

She is in safe blue district with a large immigrant community.

Sorry to disappoint you.

[Scruffy1]

18. No way.

She is well liked in her district. I lived in it for forty years. Besides, I agree with her. You don't bring the "same old" when the voters want something new. Rightly or wrongly voters don't give a shit about "experience." Look who they voted for last time.

[pangaia]

20. In that case I would think she WOULD, in fact, support Biden..if she wants their votes..

[FBaggins]

29. She won that district by almost 4-1

She could lose in a primary if her personal life continues to cause challenges... but she wouldn't lost to a Republican.

[BlueWI]

46. I used to live in her district.

She will win against any Republican.

[Blue_true]

47. Her district is very, very blue. The only person that can beat her is another Dem.

BTW, you should look up that "moderate" republican that is running against her. The person is batshit crazy.

I think that Omar can be beaten by a liberal Dem that hews a bit more moderate than Omar. I would not be surprised to see a Dem emerge to challenge her, likely a liberal female Dem with political grounding in the district.

[PhoenixDem]

62. We need a primary challenger pronto

She is a freshman congresswoman .. she should worry about her constituents and their issues rather than getting involved in something above her jurisdiction.

[Blue_true]

64. I think a primary would put some perspective into her head.

But I also think the right Dem would also defeat her and win her seat.

[PhoenixDem]

80. The entire "squad" should be defeated in primaries nt

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

52. That "moderate" Republican is a batshit RW loon

who wouldn't have a chance in Hell, let alone CD-5. No GOPer has a chance here. However, Omar might be vulnerable in a Dem primary.

[oldsoftie]

10. The more you find out about her, the less you think she needs to be the voice of the party.

Sorry, but it is what it is.

I think i'll give more credence to those who have been around a lot longer and know whats really needed to get things done.

[Blue_true]

48. I am sort of in the same place. She can be thoughtless in how she talks about stuff.

We don't need people that are loose with words being our focal people, she ends up having to "explain" herself way to much for my liking.

[redstateblues]

51. Like The Who sang "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss"

[WhiskeyGrinder]

16. I like her a lot.

[Lulu KC]

17. Things like this

make me think that Cambridge Analytica and its disguised successors and spinoffs are still hard at work dividing our party and its voters at every given opportunity--and there are so many during primary season.
It also makes me think that we don't need to hear everyone's opinion on every single thing. I was with her, and now I think, "No one asked you." But maybe someone did, so they could fill up the airwaves or e-waves with more division.
That's my opinion!

[oasis]

22. Omar's rejection of Joe may give his campaign a boost.

[Skya Rhen]

37. I completely agree - it will most definitely help him - thanks Ilhan!

[Green Line]

43. I agree

It can only help him.

[bucolic_frolic]

23. I think we need experience above all else going forward

Lots to repair in the executive branch. Joe Biden understands the institution and the levers of power, he's been there. After Trump we don't need a novice.

[comradebillyboy]

24. Joe is fortunate that Omar is against him. Her district may love her

but she's really not well liked anywhere else. Her endorsement would be a liability on the national stage.

[Blue_true]

49. I think that a liberal Dem in her district can primary her.

I honestly am surprised that one has not announced. I had high hopes for her, but she is loose with words and just draws way too much unnecessary controversy toward her.

[Celerity]

63. good luck with that, she is locked in for reelection

So is Gabbard, AOC, etc.

We are never going to be a caucus of nothing but Cuellars and and Lipinskis. Not until we redo the Constitution to have proportional representation, at which point a centrist only Democratic Party shrinks dramatically.

[Blue_true]

66. Have you read about Gabbard's opponent? She IS NOT locked in for reelection.

I really don't think that Omar is either. I agree on AOC, despite her occasional over the line stuff, she has actually did a lot of legislating and public engagement in her district. Maybe Omar has done great things in her district, I don't know.

Also, with AOC, the only Dem in her district with enough presence to challenge her is a New York Legistlator who is a close ally of hers (they even shared campaign offices on their runs in 2018, and they have the same political worldview).

[Celerity]

67. good luck with that, Kai Kahele will end up like Sherry Alu Campagna and Shay Hodges

[Blue_true]

68. LOL. We're see. nt

[Celerity]

69. DU has a search engine, the same bullshit was said for years about Gabbard

I will make a deal

to show you how serious I am

as long as you agree to do the same

If Gabbard and Omar are defeated in their Democratic House primaries I will delete my account and never post here again.

Will you take that same wager?

[Blue_true]

71. I don't make wagers. I am not a gambler, never have been.

I have said what I said and will leave things at that.

[Celerity]

72. feel free to hold me to it

whether you chickened out or not

here is a screen shot for you to hold me to it

[Blue_true]

74. I you prove to be wrong, you will just be wrong. I would expect you to stay on DU. nt

[Celerity]

78. I have zero doubt I will be wrong, thus my boldness nt

[olegramps]

25. It is fine to have bold progressive ideas, but what chance have they in becoming a reality.

I will only mention one: Medicare for All. I fully agree that it would be the best choice as demonstrated by those countries that these programs. However, I have read that about 170 million have private insurance, often through employers, that is certainly better than Medicare which only covers 80%. In the case of a major medical issue that requires hospitalization this can be substantial.

A case in point is my brother who has stage four lung cancer. The drug that he takes cost $14,000 a month. Yes, that is not a typo. By the way he never smoked. He requires constant monitoring due to the serious side effects that required hospitalization and expensive tests on a monthly basis resulting is substantial bills beyond what Medicare covers until the so-called donut hole is reached.

There would have to be substantial changes made to Medicare before many who are presently covered by better insurance would support a change. Given the present totally destructive policies of the Republican Party, which I have come to despise, what are the chances of passage of any kind of full coverage that is required that would convince many people to support it. Wouldn't it be more reasonable to work for improvements to the present plan, bringing in more people until it a full Medicare for All is feasible. I am not too greatly impressed by those such as Sanders and their utopian ideas who has a less than impressive track record for his years in the legislature amounting to two post offices renamed and a shoe-in vet bill.

[roody]

56. Medicare for all is not like current Medicare.

S. 1129 is much better. It gets rid of deductibles, co pays and premiums. The taxes pay for it all.

[olegramps]

57. Yes, I understand that. The problem is convincing 170 mil to change.

[blm]

27. It is wrongheaded to come out AGAINST one of our candidates instead of

Just saying who you are FOR and why you support them.

[SharonClark]

40. Agree.

[TidalWave46]

28. Did she come out "for" someone? NT

[empedocles]

30. Look for Omar on fox - and her Q recognition will rise to Omar's benefit.

[kstewart33]

31. Oh, whoopeedo.

Certainly entitled to her view, but it doesn't matter much.

[onetexan]

32. agree. Anybody know which POTUS candidate she's endorsing?

[highplainsdem]

35. It's "very clear" from the polls that he's the right choice.

[Demsrule86]

39. OK...but will she still be in office in 20...her approvals are down.

[Blue_true]

50. She draws way too much unneeded controversy to her.

And republicans love that. It is unlikely that the batshit crazy republican that has announced would beat Omar in Omar's district, but a liberal democratic woman with political standing there certainly can.

[Demsrule86]

58. I think she may face a primary.

[Blue_true]

60. It would not surprise me one second to see that happen.

She had so much promise. But by her own choices and words, she has squandered that promise.

[LongtimeAZDem]

41. Good; every attack from the far left helps us pick up the moderate votes needed to win

[tritsofme]

42. Crap like this pushes me closer to supporting Joe.

[5starlib]

45. So is she not committing to backing the Dem nominee?

Sounds like she is gearing up if Biden is the nominee.

[redstateblues]

53. Fortunately the Squad has kept a lower profile. Someone has let them know that

Their attention getting tactics are not helping to effect change.

[emmaverybo]

54. Who is the "we all" she speaks for? We all want progress yes. I'd also like to have a president

who can rebuild the executive infrastructure, our alliances abroad, and who knows her or his way around world leaders, foreign policy and relations —we are closer to a first nuclear war than at any other time in history. Only Joe has any real knowledge and experience in this area. Other nations,
friends and foes, are aware of this fact,

As to domestic policies? Joe’s are do-able and will give us progress in education, health, our infrastructure, taxation, trade, climate change etc.

[Cha]

76. Omar also called Pres Obama a "..pretty face who got away with murder.. "

I don't care if she "backtracked" or not.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10142282480

Thank you for your post, emmaverybo!

[emmaverybo]

83. I did not know that. Thanks for the info, Cha. Seriously discrediting. And, no, backtracking won't

cut it.

[Tarc]

59. Good for Omar

"The Squad" speaks for me.

[PhoenixDem]

61. Freshman congresswoman trying to lecture a veteran

She should be primaried and sent back to her other causes. She is not serving her constituency by getting involved in national politics.

[MustLoveBeagles]

70. I like her but she's wrong on this one

[Cha]

75. She did call Pres Obama a ".. pretty face who got away with murder.."

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10142282480

[MustLoveBeagles]

77. Oh dear

I'd forgotten about that. That was out of line. I don't agree with everything she says but feel she was unfairly attacked by trump.

[Cha]

79. Yes she was.. and I support her against that

but not what she says about our Dem leaders.

Politics are so complicated sometimes!

Mahalo, Beagles

[MustLoveBeagles]

85. So much has happened in the last 6 months that I tend to forget some things

Politics are so complicated sometimes!

Your right about that.

Maholo, Cha

[Cha]

73. "Ilhan Omar Backtracks After Calling Obama a "Pretty Face" Who "Got Away with Murder"

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10142282480

[FloridaBlues]

81. Imagine this won't be well received by fellow dems following her other comments in the past

She doesn't speak for the Democratic Party

[Hekate]

82. So another one who can tell you who she's against but not who she's for. Just "exciting"....

I'll definitely take that into account.

[emmaverybo]

84. I do not listen to her for wisdom or political finesse, though I would defend her right to express

herself so foolishly and extremely on occasions when she does. Trump’s attack on her, however, is not for what she says but arises out of his misogyny and racism.

I do take issue with what she has said about Obama and Biden. She simply is not representing the
Democratic Party responsibly.

[Hekate]

87. Agree with your measured response

[brush]

86. Her and AOC of "The Squad" still haven't learned to stop attacking other Dems.

It's not really that steep a learning curve. WTF is up?