In the short term, the Ukraine story will give a boost to Biden among Primary voters...

[brooklynite]

Questions is: does it last?

[highplainsdem]

1. Answer: We don't know. So we wait and see.

But as Democrats opposing Trump, we weaken our party if we don't defend Biden.

[George II]

2. So far, unless I missed some, Kamala Harris is the only Democrat who has defended him.

[emulatorloo]

10. I know Castro defended Biden. I read on DU that Booker did as well

[George II]

12. Thanks, I missed those. It's been so busy and difficult to keep up with all of this.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. Hard to say. Depends on what other Democrats say,

how Biden himself addresses the situation, what else the House discovers about what Trump tried to do, how effective the GOP's spin turns out to be, what other issues come up in the meantime. The next debate should be pretty interesting. I hope all the Dem candidates are united about this and don't try to use it to take Biden down - they will not help themselves by doing that. Gabbard is still against impeachment but who cares what she thinks?

[Demsrule86]

8. If they try to use it,they will destroy themselves...not Biden.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

11. That's what I think. They will have to tread very carefully

if they do anything but stick up for Biden on this one.

[Hoyt]

4. I'm not so sure of that.

Forgetting any possible and unfair blowback on Biden, I think there is a very good chance trump will not be the candidate next year. That negates the big advantage Biden has -- Most likely to beat trump. Plus, a Haley, Romney, Huntsman or similar candidate would not be to Biden's advantage in primary or perhaps general election.

Second, those here may have read all information that absolves Biden from any wrongdoing, but I bet 50%, or more, of Democratic primary voters have not and won't pay attention if it comes down to it. And, there are a lot of primary voters who aren't for Biden.

I'm glad my primary is not until March. Maybe things will be a little clearer then.

[napi21]

5. I would say it helps, but I heard a stateement tonight that makes me ask...

What's true? I heard that Hunter Biden received over $1 million from the company he worked for and it was because of his father's position. I still don't believe there was anything wrong with the behavior of either Joe or Hunter, but unfortunately they need to prove that.

[Cha]

6. That sounds like heresay and gossip to me..

I respect those who are standing up in support of Joe Biden and Hunter Biden. like my Senator Mazie Hirono

“I think it’s very clear that the president is very afraid of Joe,” said Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii). “And so he’s going after Joe and his family for political purposes and I’ll stand with Joe against any president who acts that way.”

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1287293997

**BREAKING ** Former Ukraine prosecutor says Hunter Biden 'did not violate anything'

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1287293616

[Demsrule86]

7. No they don't actually. They don't need to prove anything...the entire thing has been cleared

up for ages...In fact Hunter wasn't even there when the dirt went down, he came later. Now why would you spread right wing talking points? Trump is the one in trouble...not Biden nor Hunter.

[peggysue2]

13. Exactly!

Investigations have been made with absolutely no wrong doing found. Everything else is smear and propaganda. Democrats need to be united on this. Trump and his enablers are the criminals. The rest? Nothing more than projection.

What Republicans are desperately trying is a redux on what they did to Hillary. And distract from what Trump and his cronies are doing right before our eyes. In broad daylight!

The focus needs to be on Trump and his criminal enterprise. Nothing else.

[emmaverybo]

15. +1000

[NYMinute]

9. It will give a boost in the long term as well nt

[customerserviceguy]

14. What's the short term?

Two or three months? The Iowa caucuses and the first primaries are after that.

Unfortunately, Biden's been sliding, and inevitably, he and his son will be mentioned continuously as this process goes on. I don't see how it is a positive for him.