Biden's Desperate Gambit

[comradebillyboy]

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/bidens-desperate-gambit

The New York Times, among others, is reporting that Joe Biden and his advisors are trying to come up with ways to address voter concerns about his age if he enters the Democratic presidential primaries: “Mr. Biden and his top advisers are considering nodding to the rising next generation in Democratic politics — and elevating an heir — by announcing a running mate early, well before the nomination is sealed. Also under discussion is a possible pledge to serve only one term and framing Mr. Biden’s 2020 campaign as a one-time rescue mission for a beleaguered country, according to multiple party officials.”
snip
Biden, like any other candidate, has a mix of strengths and weaknesses. Pre-emptively addressing the weaknesses won’t make them go away but rather highlight them. It will make voters ask if Biden’s age isn’t a problem and also bring to the fore that he’s not just an old white guy but also an old white guy with a host of problems (gaffes, Anita Hill, Iraq war vote) that make many Democrats wary. Does Biden really want to make the campaign about his flaws, rather than his strengths?

[comradebillyboy]

1. Limiting yourself to single Presidential term or announcing a VP

Link to tweet

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[Canoe52]

27. Joe's been my guy, but have to admit that I agree.

[Blue_true]

37. The one term to save the country may in fact work extremely well.

A lot of people in the country would like the idea of him sacrificing himself to save the country and handing over the reigns and walking away when he has it fixed.

[BannonsLiver]

2. Just run the race, Joe. No gimmicks necessary.

[Mr Tibbs]

18. I concur

[Tipperary]

21. I agree.

[RKP5637]

3. I would really like to see someone new as president rather than the old guard. That is nothing

against Joe Biden, but I think IMO it's time to move others up the ladder.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

4. I hear ya, but I do think Uncle Joe deserves a shot after serving Obama so loyally.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[RKP5637]

6. Yep, I think he should run in the primary for sure. n/t

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

7. Not sure why he might be concerned about declaring a VP choice so early...

might come across as a little gimmicky and show signs of a lack of confidence. Then again, not sure the reports are exactly true.


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[RKP5637]

9. To me, it's a bit premature to be naming a VP running mate so early on ... yep, a bit gimmicky.

Basically it's saying (to me) I might not make it, so here's who will take over ... something like that.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

10. Exactly... Joe seems healthy enough, but it could raise questions.

Again, though, I wonder if it's even true. Joe is SO politically astute, surely he must know the negative inferences that could be attributed to his decision. OTOH, I also don't understand why he's waiting so long to jump in the race. I mean he's in the lead at the moment, but, is tempting fate by letting other declared candidates eat into that lead. At this rate, Bernie will be leading by next week... which is a good thing for my preferred candidate. But, if Bernie, for some unforeseen reason, doesn't win the Democratic nomination, I do think after Elizabeth, Joe would have the next best chance of defeating the Idiot-in-Chief.


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[Blue_true]

38. They could be floating trial balloons to see which ones get shot down.

If that is the case, pretty smart move.

But he needs to enter soon or people will start to see him as ambivalent about running and serving.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

39. Yes, been saying that for a few weeks now.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[Blue_true]

41. Yeah, makes sense. I don't think that he helps himself with the delay. nt

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

43. Yeah, but I expect he'll announce any day now... so, shouldn't be a problem.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[shanny]

11. I really like Joe Biden. He's a decent human being

and he did an exemplary job as veep. I don't want him to run.

The passion and strength in our party right now are exemplified by women, minorities, the younger generation. All of them have been negatively impacted by Biden's past actions/policies. And those will come up, in the primary. In the light of #MeToo and Barf Kavanaugh Anita Hill is a stark reminder of things that needed to change long ago. The crime bill under Clinton was Biden's baby: he wanted to take the law-n-order label away from Republicans. That bill has been a catastrophe for generations of poor, and especially minority men (and their families). The awful bankruptcy bill of 2005 was a flat-out giveaway to Biden's credit company sponsors in Delaware.

All these things will come up, as they should imo. One could argue it was all a different time and that is true. But it just emphasizes how wrong Biden is for this time. It will only diminish him. I don't want him to run.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

14. All true, but if Joe or any older candidate decides to run, that's their right..

Joe, of course, will have to defend his record, like any other candidate. Perhaps, he's "evolved," though, tbh, I really am tired of hearing that excuse.


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[shanny]

19. Of course it is his right

and yes, the "evolved" thing can easily sound like a non-apology apology, at least to me. I'd just rather see him in a happy warrior / surrogate role, and maybe a Cabinet position in our new administration (Sec State would be a good fit, I think)

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

24. Pretty sure Joe is running... wish he'd just get it over with already and declare.

Did have to laugh though that Joe thinks he can run as the most progressive candidate... that should make for some fun debate when other candidates bring up his past voting record. That's why I brought up the "evolved" thing... and, you're right, what you said about the "non-apology apology." Better that Joe defend his record and simply admit where he stands politically. He's certainly NOT the most progressive candidate running... I mean candidate who WOULD run.


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[Socal31]

5. I don't believe age or race will be a factor.

He definitely has baggage, but being gaffe-free is not a realistic standard.

The debates and the VP choices are where the field will start to separate. There are so many new and exciting candidates, there is no reason to assume the current front-runners will remain as such.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

8. Shouldn't be.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[OhZone]

12. Desperate?

Yeah, the guy leading in the polls and most favored to win against Rump in the Electoral college is desperate.

With headlines like that, it's time to ignore the article.

But I am thinking Old Guard Daddy figure ain't a bad idea.

Anywho - I love all our non-Independent Candidates!

[still_one]

15. This is just the media and the blogs spewing their useless bullshit because they want attention

[OhZone]

16. Yup. nt

[OhZone]

17. Well, the media also hyped his gaffes -

And they're nothing like Rump's constant insanity!


If he debate's Rump, I hope he has a chance to ask what Covfefe is.

haha

[Mr Tibbs]

20. One thing Biden isn't, is desperate

Pot stirring opinion piece?

[WeekiWater]

23. Hard to call it pot stirring.

When it’s purposefully dropped leaks from a campaign.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

25. Point well taken... that is, assuming the leaks are reliable. I do wonder about the truth

of the rumors, given how politically astute Joe is and how that decision would be perceived.


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[WeekiWater]

32. I only see it working one way with Abrams.

A deal has already been reached. Abrams and Biden campaigning full time for Biden would be just about unstoppable.

I think floating that is a poor idea. I think people would be blown away after hearing her on the stump for him.

I find it hard to believe that Biden was just floating something that foolish. Maybe it’s the exact opposite from what I just referenced. Maybe she will pick Biden early.

Or it’s what you say and simply shouldn’t be trusted. After lunch the other day there is something going on.

[WeekiWater]

22. The best way for him to address voters concerns about his age...

Is to retire.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

26. Why the ageism?!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[WeekiWater]

33. Doesn't bother me in the least.

You would then have to call out Biden on being ageist against Biden. He is the one floating one and done.

Age plays a role in my vote. So does gender. The labels thrown at me for that matter to me very little.

[bigtree]

44. one term, picking a young running mate

...Biden's shading his own age in front of us and we're 'ageists' for responding with the same?

Good luck with that smear.

[saidsimplesimon]

28. Mr. Biden was an excellent Vice President. imo

It's a shame that some don't know how to exit stage left when they are ahead. Ambition and ego often cloud good judgement. imo

[Talking Tom]

29. I love the gimmick

No harm to anyone.

[mainstreetonce]

30. Just lie about age

What are they gonna do,ask for a birth certificate?

[comradebillyboy]

34. LOL

[UniteFightBack]

31. I think this sounds like a winning ticket. She proved she can kick his ass after the state of the

fucked up union.

[nsd]

35. Picking a VP ahead of time would be a mistake.

Especially if it was an attempt to preemptively address imagined race/gender problems (as the article says).

But framing his candidacy as a rescue mission might be good. I think that's a big reason a lot of us are attracted to the idea of a Biden presidency: a return to normalcy.

[marylandblue]

45. Returning to normalcy is a fantasy, like unscrambling an egg..

There is no go back. Even if we win, we will still have obstructionist Republicans, a growing white supremacist movement, worsening climate, and a tottering empire.
Biden can't undo these things. Better to pick someone who can lead us forward into the new normal.

[FakeNoose]

36. If he's healthy - release his medical records

If not ... well why would he want to run?

I'm certain that Joe Biden could win Pennsylvania if he becomes our Party's candidate. But there are many great possible candidates right now, we need to consider everybody and hear what they have to say.

[ucrdem]

40. He's beating Bernie 2 to 1 in Iowa

If that's desperation bring it on!

[bigtree]

42. it looks like the party's desperate

...he should be ashamed dragging the party like this, pretending he's some savior.

Why should we duct tape his ridiculous vanity bid for him?

[customerserviceguy]

46. Every time it's been done before

It stinks of desperation, and has not worked.

I can see a situation going into the general election, once a VP has been selected during the convention, and saying that Joe will only serve for one term, while training a person to serve for a full eight, but before even a single vote has been cast, just looks pathetic.

[Drunken Irishman]

47. There's a first for everything...

A lot of people saying it's desperation but there's a first for everything and this isn't that much different than the changes we've already seen in regards to the Veep being added to the ticket.

Originally, the presidential runner-up was named Vice President. For most the 20th Century, the vice presidential nominee was nominated at the convention and accepted by the convention. Now, though, it's common for the nominee to be offered, and announced, before the convention.

How would this change be different ... because it's not common? It wasn't common for the presumptive nominee to select a running-mate prior to the convention. Now it's all but expected.