Yes, Joe Biden did say he is open to considering a VP from the GOP.

[guillaumeb]

And this has been pointed out here numerous times. Often, without the full context of the remark to make for a more sensational headline.

But the larger point, about the literal necessity of reaching across Party lines if this country is to accomplish real change, remains. And we know here, and among voters at large, that at this point the GOP marches in virtual lockstep with Trump on nearly every issue of substance. For Mitch McConnell, and Lindsay Graham, and Kevin McCarthy, and most of the GOP caucus, the term compromise means doing only what they want.

But since the time of Dennis Hastert, with the unwritten "Hastert Rule", the GOP has never considered legislation that they cannot pass with only GOP votes. And many of us know this as well. The US media pretends to know none of this, as they pursue and promote their fiction that both sides are responsible for the current political situation.

And back to Biden's point, I believe that many GOP voters do want to see a change. I think that is reflected in poling, and in the large number of GOP Congress members who are not running for re-election in 2020.

In my view, Biden is absolutely correct that we must reach out to GOP voters, and we must remain civil while doing so. Calling people names might be satisfying, and the names might even be correct, but it does not lead to dialogue.

[LongtimeAZDem]

1. Biden is a proven statesman; that's why I prefer him to the other candidates

[guillaumeb]

2. And he is professional, and polite.

We must hope and believe that many GOP voters are tired of Trump and his behavior.

[guillaumeb]

83. Welcome to DU.

What did you think of the topic as presented?

[Thekaspervote]

3. This!! Politics is a messy business, many times with no clear divisions

A president better damn well be willing to wade in hip deep if needed to seek out those 1-3 gop votes to pass needed legislation. If purity is your thing, then you aren’t go to get much done!

[guillaumeb]

5. Agreed.

And we must reach out to the other side.

[George II]

4. Thanks so much for pointing that out!!!!

[guillaumeb]

7. It needs to be said repeatedly.

No matter who the eventual nominee is, we need to work together. And we as Democrats need to promote this.

[Eliot Rosewater]

6. Great point, yet i will admit when I first heard it

I growled a lot...

But, YOU are right, even though I dont want to think about it because I dont think it can happen as long as the KGB owns most of them.

[guillaumeb]

9. And that is truly the elephant in the room.

And yes, that is a cheap reference to the GOP animal.

But I believe that most GOP voters are not racists, or greedy. But the Us media loves to focus on the loud and ignorant ones.

[LakeArenal]

28. I'm sure not all Repukes are racist but...

I do think they are all greedy. More more more. All of them. Oh I mean (to quote Scrooge). Not greedy.. “Just men of good business” Wall Street is their business and religion.

Poor folks that follow are greedy for what the rich have. They aren’t sharing nothin’.
Once I have mine.... screw the rest of you.

Sheesh. That’s much too negative a thought for today.


Love to all you fair minded lovers not haters... Happy New Year.
To those others... Wake up. There is still time to save this United States.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

8. When we reach across the aisle we get bankruptcy bills, patriot acts, tax cuts for the rich,....

.... stopping desegregation, middle class killing trade bills, massive military budgets, and illegal wars.

No thanks. Not with today’s repig party. We can’t afford anymore reaching across the aisle.

[ancianita]

10. +1000

[ritapria]

11. Not to mention the Disastrous Repeal of Glass -Stegall

Which brought us ever so close to Economic Calamity - and a 1 trillion dollar bailout from the Taxpayers to the criminal fraudsters ..… There is no Good Will on that side of the aisle …. Possibly so 40 years ago , but not today ...

[guillaumeb]

13. With the CURRENT composition of the GOP, yes indeed.

But it was not always that way. And in my view, that is what Biden was referencing when he said that he could not think of one current GOP politician he would consider.

[ms liberty]

14. This. n/t

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

32. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMM!!!!!

You nailed that one HBS!! Reaching across the aisle only gets your hand bit... screw that!! We need a fighter who will represent the working class in this country and tell the RethugliKKKons to go back to their wine caves and go fuck themselves!! We need Bernie!!


Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join the revolution!!

[msongs]

38. independent bernie has to reach across all aisles lol. nt

[treestar]

43. Then you'd have to be satisfied with the status quo

because nothing will pass until we have supermajorities in both houses and the Presidency.

[wellst0nev0ter]

65. Or we can just get rid of the filibuster

That undemocratic tweak has run it's course. At this point I'd rather have things rammed through by a slim majority than have a minority stagnate everything.

[treestar]

91. Yes. The Senate is undemocratic enough already

with equal representation for states regardless of population. Then the filibuster is piled on top of that. Then the Rs started to use it routinely rather than as the Hail Mary it was meant to be.

[Ferrets are Cool]

52. Agreed

[Thekaspervote]

63. Purity and politics... oil and water

[Skya Rhen]

12. Thanks for this and fortunately the majority of Dem voters feel as you do - mainly the extreme

section of our party go full apoplectic at the mere mention of word "Republican". Thankfully, this attitude is not reflective of most Democrats who tend to be more rational.

[guillaumeb]

15. I know quite a few GOP voters.

Some are racists. Many are not. And we must recognize that, and reach out to them.

This does not mean that we should become the GOP in matters of policy.

[Voltaire2]

19. Some are openly racist the rest are just hiding it.

[guillaumeb]

22. I disagree with that view.

And saying it could alienate voters.

[Voltaire2]

23. Our candidates will get approximately zero

Republican votes.

[guillaumeb]

26. We disagree.

In your view, is the country irreparably divided?

If so, what could be the eventual outcome? Separation, civil war?

And in the 2018 elections, especially in Illinois, Districts that were historically GOP went for Democratic candidates. Exit polling suggested crossover voting was a factor. Turnout was also a factor.

[Ferrets are Cool]

54. You are so correct. nt

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

41. 100%

Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join the revolution!!

[PatSeg]

20. Yes

Not all republican voters are Trumpsters. Many are as dismayed with what has happened to their party as we are. I'm sure quite a few have changed parties as well.

[tonedevil]

29. If they voted for donald...

and they are not racist they are so tolerant of racism it doesn't matter.

[guillaumeb]

45. And that is a valid point.

If one votes for a racist, at the least one is an enabler of racists.

[guillaumeb]

17. I think that Biden's point was thoughtful.

And the entire statement points out the problem.

So your point, in the entire context of the Biden point, would not arise.

[Sloumeau]

24. Biden denies speculation of a one-term pledge

Link: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/biden-campaign-refutes-speculation-one-term-pledge-n1099766

[karynnj]

25. Ignoring for a moment that he denied that, consider the Democratic party would have to

Nominate that unnamed Republican in 2024. President Biden could not just declare him the next nominee. The only way that VP becomes President is if Biden becomes incapacitated or if he resigns before the first term is out.

That explains why, when this idea is looked at seriously, it has been rejected. The closest time was when McCain's first choice was Lieberman. Though they shared a lot on foreign policy and climate change, even though Lieberman was a conservative Democrat on economic issues, the Republicans rejected the idea. In 2004, Kerry and McCain were much further apart and the idea fell apart was rejected almost immediately.

[guillaumeb]

27. The larger point is that only part of Biden's answer was headlined.

So this controversy has no foundation in Biden's actual response.

[karynnj]

31. True which is what the right wing always does

Sometimes taking part of a sentence where the whole thing means something different.

[guillaumeb]

46. Exactly.

And for those who only look at right wing media, it works.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

33. Not exactly the fighter We The People are looking for... Joe has already "pivoted" to the general...

We need a FIGHTER who will look out for the working class and will NEVER pivot, in the primary OR general elections, or more importantly, when INAUGURATED!!

We need Bernie, whom we can TRUST will keep the promises he's made to US when he takes the oath of office and becomes President.


Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join the revolution!!

[vsrazdem]

18. It was an idiotic answer to an idiotic question.

[guillaumeb]

21. It may have been intended as a trap,

but Biden responded brilliantly. In my view.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

34. Can't disagree.

Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join the revolution!!

[LakeArenal]

30. All candidates should reach across the aisle.

It’s a gesture to reconciliation.

If Pukes reject it as many expect, then status quo. Politically we only need a few to work with Joe. That might appeal to some repugnant.

[mzmolly]

35. It's politics

folks. He's making a political remark - and he has the attention he attempted to garner from it.

[Scotch-Irish]

36. Sorry, but that's like tRump shaking the hand of Kim Jong Un.

Or Putin. He's open to getting punked.

[Grins]

37. Didn't he learn ANYTHING during Obama's 8-years...?

No. This is stupid. From BEFORE Obama was even inaugurated to his very last day, Republicans obstructed and played “Lucy” to the Dems “Charlie Brown.”

Obama would propose, R’s would counter-propose- and then vote AGAINST their own proposals!

“Reaching across the aisle” failed time after time.
Obama kept trying but it never worked.
And he never seemed to understand that.
This is the stupidity of a knife at a gunfight.
This is one of the reasons I don’t support Biden.
When will Democrat’s fight back?

[guillaumeb]

47. Was Obama wrong to reach out?

Or was he wrong to expect that the GOP would itself reach out?

[Lexee]

51. Yes. And we knew it then, but we also knew Obama was going to try.

That is why we keep saying, really? We have to pretend again? Cause we all know it is not going to happen and Biden should know the best. No one should expect us to pretend the third time around.

[Lexee]

53. How about we campaign on the obstructionist Republican party of the last decade, relentlessly.

[guillaumeb]

55. Perhaps the Democrats should endlessly remind the media

that over 400 Bills that were passed by the House are being blocked from consideration by Mitch McConnell.

Every time the media speaks about getting things done, repeat that fact.

[Lexee]

57. over 400 Bills that were passed by the House are being blocked from consideration by Mitch McConnell

That is another good one.

Instead of, I would choose a Republican if there was a good one, cause all in working with Republicans.

[guillaumeb]

58. And it has the advantage of being correct.

All part of correcting the flawed narrative that the US media promotes.

[Lexee]

59. Absolutely. Works all the way around, funny thing about truth.

[Lexee]

60. That is why the obvious of working with Republicans clearly does not work and is not

a good campaign message.

[Snarkoleptic]

39. Hopefully this is just bipartisan chatter!

I would hate to think what would happen to important legislation when there's a 50-50 tie in the senate.
The VP would break the tie, so it would be a massive miscalculation if a repug. were handed that kind of power.
This is especially true as the R's will all be born-again deficit hawks, as soon as we have a Democratic POTUS.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

42. That's what worries me... why a Repug VP on the Democratic ticket is a deal breaker!!

Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join the revolution!!

[msongs]

40. maybe joe could repeatedly attack dems and the dem party ... nt

[treestar]

44. Maybe the Rs will get tired of it, too

and get rid of the McConnells and McCarthys. When they get over having a black president for 8 years.

[guillaumeb]

48. There is that as well.

But it was not just that Obama was black. The GOP since 1980 has refused to work with the Democrats unless the Democrats agreed with the GOP on a particular issue.

[not_the_one]

49. David Jolly would be acceptable.

He WAS a republican, but changed to independent, and is absolutely rabid against Trump.

He is VERY good looking (which helps in these shallow and superficial times) and VERY articulate. He knows how to skewer the turd.

He voluntarily dropped out of the republican party, which at least makes him a viable option with some moral character.

He could always formally switch to being a Democrat for the run.

Or not. It may be good optics for him to remain "independent". Since he isn't actually filling a senate seat, that would acceptable.

[guillaumeb]

50. In my view,

it would be better if people like him ran as GOP candidates, but with the Tea Party in ascendance, that might not be feasible.

[Huin]

61. Thank you for this well-reasoned Post

It is appreciated to see a call and great point for unity. True to the name of our (formerly) great nation.

[guillaumeb]

66. Welcome to DU, and the conversation.

I wrote this in part to support what Biden was saying. We cannot expect dialogue if both sides are shouting.

[sheshe2]

62. Thank you.

To tired with mom care to say more.

[guillaumeb]

67. Understood.

My mother in law lived with us for a number of years. My wife did a lot for her.

[sheshe2]

68. Thanks.

It is very hard.

I live in the apartment upstairs. In a moments notice I have to bundle up in freezing temps, navigate icy stairs and go down to take her to the bathroom. I have slipped on the stairs twice this year alone. Banged up my already bad knee from a fall at work and my elbow.

[guillaumeb]

69. And much harder doing it alone.

Would she qualify for home health care under Medicare or Medicaid?

[sheshe2]

73. Not alone.

My sister and I split 24/7.

Mom is under HHS with Medicare. That is two 2 1/2 hour visits for 2 days a shower and making her bed and folding laundry. The woman we had gave birth and it took the agency two months to give us a replacement. We are on hospice, nurse once a week and an aide that showers her 3 times a week. Not near enough.

I fix mom breakfast and lunch, naps and bathroom breaks before I finish my first cup of coffee.

I just can't do this much longer.

[highplainsdem]

64. K&R!

[hurl]

70. Bad idea

While I don't mind reaching out as a public gesture, I truly think GOP voters are a lost cause. They may not consider themselves racists, but obviously they are fine with openly supporting GOP racists. This is a distinction without difference. Of course they're racists! They just become offended when being called out on it.

No, we really don't need to reach out to loyal GOP voters. They will NEVER join us, so give these idiots up. Instead, we need to reach out to voters not associated with a party. These people decide elections, despite the fact that they are not engaged enough to understand the true stakes (or else they would be solidly with us).

I agree that publicly calling people names is a bad idea, but the very idea that a Democrat should even consider any Republican is beyond stupid.

[guillaumeb]

71. Biden said he was open to it, if he could find a suitable GOP candidate.

And he added that he could not think of one such candidate.

[hurl]

72. Indeed he did

And it was a bad idea given the current Republican party.

[guillaumeb]

77. Unless we give him credit for being subtle in his criticism...eom

[onetexan]

84. i think it's a darn smart answer

The latter part is Biden's way out.

[guillaumeb]

85. Exactly. eom

[LongtimeAZDem]

75. The idea that he would actually do it is beyond stupid

[hurl]

92. Just to clarify

Are you saying that the idea he would actually do what he just said he would do is beyond stupid?

[LongtimeAZDem]

93. No, I'm saying that someone would have to be beyond stupid to believe he was serious.

Again, he was asked a "gotcha" question, and answered in a way that sounded bipartisan, but dismissed it out of hand.

[hurl]

96. Those are exactly the same thing

I don't really think Joe will actually nominate a Republican, but I do think he consistently flubs questions like this. The number of Republicans who might vote for Biden due to this stance is dwarfed by the number of Democrats who consider such an answer disqualifying.

This seems like a particularly bad time for JB to say things he doesn't really mean. If Bernie said he was considering a non-Democratic running mate, would your reaction be similar?

Why should anyone be the least bit interested in meeting a party who hates us half-way?

[LongtimeAZDem]

98. Oh good lord; it wasn't a flub, it was an innocuous deflection of a pointless question. SMH

And, "it would be stupid for him to do it" is not the same as "it would be stupid for someone to believe he'd do it".


As to Bernie, I already expect he would pick a non-Democrat.

Does that bother me? Not really, because I don't believe he has a chance of winning the nomination, and if he does, we're going to lose anyway.

For the record, however, his national co-chair Nina Turner has already said:

"If there is a Republican or a Libertarian or Green Party person that believes in Medicare for all, then that’s our kind of person."

[Gothmog]

74. I agree with Ezra Klien

Link to tweet

[guillaumeb]

78. Agreed. The entire quote makes it obvious that Biden was criticizing

the current GOP.

[duforsure]

76. He will lose voters,

More Democrats than he'll he'll gain republicans. Saying this while the gop is neck deep in corruption , and criminal activities isn't a good look for any candidate to say this.

[guillaumeb]

79. In my view, The entire quote makes it obvious that Biden was criticizing the GOP as it stands,

[LongtimeAZDem]

94. And it sailed over the heads of the people who would say anything to trash him

[guillaumeb]

95. Some might only have looked at the excerpt.

It is always better to read the entire article, and not simply the title.

[Hortensis]

80. +1000. Plus, while we all know Biden is sincere in his

determination to repair our democracy by always trying to work with Republicans, reality is that he'd be more likely to stick a butter knife in his eye to see how that'd work than to choose a Republican running mate in this era, or even be able to find a possibility to consider.

[guillaumeb]

81. Agreed. This is a classic example of using a razor to hurt your opponent.

Biden was obviously criticizing the current iteration of the GOP, not signaling any real intent.

[Hortensis]

87. Yes, and he was just answering a question from a mixed crowd

in a nice, inclusive way. The generosity of heart and lack of partisan meanspiritedness are a big part of who he is.

If all voters in a democracy refused to accept anything less from candidates than a determination to serve all, just imagine the revolution that'd be.

[guillaumeb]

89. True.

Trump is the perfect example, and I hate using the word perfect so close to Trump, but Trump is the perfect example of a person who acts as the President only for the racists, and the greedy, and the intolerant among us.

He is the antithesis of Obama in every way, which is why this massively insecure man hates Obama.

[Hortensis]

90. Oh, yes. Trump PROMISES to represent "his" people

against the rest. Others are more subtle but also deliberately appeal to those who resent losing elections to majorities.

All the antithesis of Obama, whose election was cheered with relief and aspiration around the planet.

[Politicub]

86. I do not want a republican a breath away from the presidency

By going there, Biden overreached with his efforts at wooing Republicans.

I’ll vote for Biden in the general, of course, because he’s the likely candidate. Until this happened, I was coming to terms with candidate Biden. Now I see him differently. I hate how his remark makes me feel.

[guillaumeb]

88. Please read response #79.

And feel free to answer that one.

[Lexee]

97. He should not have said what he did. He won't nominate a republican, but it was stupid

saying what he did.

[guillaumeb]

99. We disagree, but I understand your point. eom

[Lexee]

101. Ah, thank you for understanding even in disagreement.

[LongtimeAZDem]

100. No, it was stupid for people to believe that a deflection of a silly question was a serious response

[Lexee]

102. I disagree. I am a Dem, the base, pissed that Obama lost a SC position.

I do not need to hear from the next Democrat nominee that there is any consideration of working with the right. The last decade has made it clear the right are pos and I do not want to cheer on a man telling me he can work with them when we lost a SC seat under his administration.