Joe Biden is my Harvard, not my 'safety school.' He really is my favorite 2020 Democrat.

[highplainsdem]

USA Today op-ed by Melinda Henneberger, who's "an editorial columnist for The Kansas City Star and a member of the USA TODAY Board of Contributors."


https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2019/08/25/biden-top-choice-2020-democrats-he-would-be-best-president-column/2094104001/

I keep reading that no one — not even Jill Biden — actually prefers Joe Biden to the other Democratic presidential candidates. Supposedly, he is a front-runner who is solely supported, with tiny sighs and great regret, by those too fearful to follow their hearts. My friend Walter Shapiro has written that Biden is the “safety school” of Democrats — regarded fondly, but the first choice of nobody.

Early admission: He’s my Harvard, OK? And I do not favor the former vice president because I think he has the best chance of winning, which may or may not be true.

Instead, if the contest were tomorrow, I’d vote Biden because I think he’d do the best job if we did manage to grab the wheel away from a president who reminds me more every day of “Vinny the Chin” Gigante, a mob boss who used to go around New York City in his bathrobe and house shoes, babbling to himself. (Vinny may have been faking madness to stay out of prison, but the guy currently faking sanity to stay in the Oval Office does a pretty good Vinny imitation all the same.)

-snip-

It’s early in the campaign, and I’m not even trying to win converts; love who you love, and I will, too. But pundits, please stop insisting that nobody is excited about Biden's candidacy, or that he’s the head-over-heart guy who appeals only to those making a bloodless, Vulcan and strictly strategic choice.

Really, have you met Joe Biden, people? I ask because if you’ve glimpsed him at any point over the last 40 years, you may have noticed that his biggest selling point is his giant heart, and the way that after multiple tragedies, he walks through the world as the compassionate consoler and messy, highly emotional and ever-ready empathizer we do need most right now. It's strange for those of us who appreciate these qualities in him most of all to then be told that we shouldn't be so passionless and practical in choosing a candidate.

It’s so painful to watch Biden being Al Gored, with every utterance shorn of context in service to the narrative. Then, it was that Gore exaggerated. And he did, but the planet is considerably worse off today because we were saved from that nightmare. Today, of course, it’s that Biden is gaffe-prone. And he is, but by getting stuck on Biden gaffes as we did on Gore exaggerations, the planet will be worse off.

-snip-

I hope you'll read the entire column at the link. She makes other great points.

[saidsimplesimon]

1. Great points, however

I don't agree. imo, Biden is showing weakness when he whines or claims injury when his voting past is questioned. Every candidate should practice turning a critique to their advantage.

[highplainsdem]

3. You're entitled to your opinion, but he wouldn't be the frontrunner if many people agreed with you.

He isn't whining or showing weakness.

And he had every right and every reason to point out that those whose question his background might have questions raised about theirs.

He's running for president, not high school debate champ or wonk of the year.

[bluewater]

9. Biden's support has fallen since he announced on April 25th

On April 25th, the day Biden announced as a 2020 candidate, his support was at 29.3%

As of today his support is at 28.8 %.

This is why many people consider him a fragile front runner. He is not generating enthusiasm.

Anyone can see the rise and decline of Biden's support at RCP Polls Tracker:

https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2020/president/us/2020_democratic_presidential_nomination-6730.html

[highplainsdem]

12. His support has stayed at about 30% for ten months now. That is NOT a "fragile front runner."

Holding a steady lead for ten months is unusual.

Especially with two dozen rivals.

I know you want to pretend he isn't doing well, bluewater. You posted just a few days ago that Biden was "flatlining." The day I hear that a human or a horse holding a steady lead in a race, well ahead of all competitors, is "flatlining," I might consider that your belittling descriptions of how Biden's doing in the polls, with a very crowded field and very ambitious and well-known and well-funded competitors, could somehow be accurate.

So far they aren't.

But keep trying...

[LongtimeAZDem]

13. +1

[Mars and Minerva]

18. +1

[Princetonian]

24. ZING!

highplainsdem
12. His support has stayed at about 30% for ten months now. That is NOT a "fragile front runner."
Holding a steady lead for ten months is unusual.

Especially with two dozen rivals.

I know you want to pretend he isn't doing well, bluewater. You posted just a few days ago that Biden was "flatlining." The day I hear that a human or a horse holding a steady lead in a race, well ahead of all competitors, is "flatlining," I might consider that your belittling descriptions of how Biden's doing in the polls, with a very crowded field and very ambitious and well-known and well-funded competitors, could somehow be accurate.

So far they aren't.

But keep trying...

[onetexan]

26. Lol its crazy to think someone calling a steady 30% fragile

Biden is IT! If there was any other candidate better their poll #s would have surpassed his by now. Rather everyone else stay 10 points below.

[LongtimeAZDem]

14. His support has stayed roughly that of his two closest rivals COMBINED

Your spin is wishful thinking, IMO.

[Thekaspervote]

21. Oh and by the way, Biden's average lead in all the polls- RCP is 12.8% as of 8/25

Polls are going to go up and down. For a poll to drop 0.5% is nothing. One could point to any one of the other candidates and see the same, or more

Here’s a link to a guardian article as to why “joe the boring candidate is in the lead.”

You can look at the link... or not, hopefully others will. The paragraph below the link sums up the article

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/19/joe-biden-exciting-candidate


Sanders’s and Warren’s policy platforms are more removed from Trump’s than Biden’s, but they are also perceived as highly divisive candidates. And this is not the kind of change most anti-Trump voters are looking for. What they want, is a return to order and civility.

Far from a fragile front runner.. he has the qualities the voting public are hungry for

[Princetonian]

25. Exactly! Well said, Thekaspervote.

Star Member Thekaspervote (4,185 posts)
21. Oh and by the way, Biden's average lead in all the polls- RCP is 12.8% as of 8/25

Polls are going to go up and down. For a poll to drop 0.5% is nothing. One could point to any one of the other candidates and see the same, or more

Here’s a link to a guardian article as to why “joe the boring candidate is in the lead.”

You can look at the link... or not, hopefully others will. The paragraph below the link sums up the article

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/19/joe-biden-exciting-candidate

Sanders’s and Warren’s policy platforms are more removed from Trump’s than Biden’s, but they are also perceived as highly divisive candidates. And this is not the kind of change most anti-Trump voters are looking for. What they want, is a return to order and civility.

Far from a fragile front runner.. he has the qualities the voting public are hungry for

[Thekaspervote]

30. Hi princetonian!! I would imagine you watched the whole speech with President Obama and VP

Biden. It is so heartfelt by both of them...

This is how a real leader does it!!

[Princetonian]

33. More than once. Gets me every time.

That speech is bookmarked in my "Fav Moments" file.

I want to see this leader stepping into the White House next year. Let's make it happen!

[Thekaspervote]

34. Luv the jif!!

I don’t have it bookmarked, but me too have watched more than once...and know exactly where to find it

[Princetonian]

38. How's this one? Makes me smile...

... Barack biting back a grin... how anyone could not like these two?

[George II]

40. Yes, the top four candidates have all dropped somewhat in the last few weeks.

[George II]

39. You will notice that EVERY candidate's support has fallen over the last few weeks.

[LanternWaste]

42. Fragility is not in fact, a steady and commanding lead.

[Demsrule86]

4. Really? I don't think so...I actually adore Biden...he will win.

Harris doesn't like being questioned either...is she weak?

[Princetonian]

27. lol

"Harris doesn't like being questioned either...is she weak?"

[Thekaspervote]

32. Hummm... one wonders

[Demsrule86]

36. Such petty swipes at Biden...he is a good guy.

[emmaverybo]

6. Joe Biden has never, ever been a whiner. Your belief is not widely shared. If it were MSM

would be chewing daily over his thin skin, not his gaffes.

He corrected willful misinterpretations of his fund-raiser anecdote, apologized for any hurt it had caused, expressed his surprise at Harris’s attack, and MOVED ON as he always does.

[LongtimeAZDem]

10. And stayed classy every time.

[emmaverybo]

11. Yes! NT

[Princetonian]

29. +1

[Princetonian]

31. VP Joe has qualities that are rare in anyone much less a politician: grace, humility and class.

He corrected willful misinterpretations of his fund-raiser anecdote, apologized for any hurt it had caused, expressed his surprise at Harris’s attack, and MOVED ON as he always does.

President Obama had these qualities too. I miss them both in the White House every day.

[Cha]

15. That's a Ridiculous accusation! Biden

is the furthest thing from a "whiner" as you so accuse.

[Iggo]

2. I really honestly and truly do not have a favorite. Any one of 'em will do.

[Peacetrain]

5. I could not be more enthusiastic about any candidate.. he is my

first choice... with the mess our government is in now with its allies.. he is needed more than ever!.. no one running has more skill or experience in foreign policy..

[Thekaspervote]

23. Me too peacetrain!! I think the whole of the free world is rooting for Joe...since he's the ONLY

One they were begging to run. Seems a pretty hefty resume.

GoJoe..go...we luv ya and we’ve got your back

[onetexan]

28. So true. With Joe, due to hisany years of experience, relationships

With allies would instantly ne restored, America would be the leader of the free world again, &our stance against the strongmen of the world renewed.

[emmaverybo]

7. Thank you for this post. I feel gratitude for Joe's running and am inspired by his message. Joe

is one of the most qualified, experienced, and knowledgeable candidates to run for the presidency in decades.

Many supporters respect and love ❤️ Joe.

Against bigger dogs, the small dog barks the loudest because he knows he’s small.

Biden supporters don’t need to overstate the case. His resume speaks for itself.

Our love and respect is not adoration, not blind worship.

MSM has chosen to interview luke-warm supporters and to play up an opposite narrative to the truth about Biden: he is a widely popular politician.

He connects emotionally with the widest swath of the public.

Icing on the cake is that this seasoned, gifted, and inspiring candidate is also probably the most
electable.

[Skya Rhen]

8. I have adored Joe for 25 years, since my early twenties and have always found him captivating and

intriguing.

I cannot put into words how ecstatic I am to see him become our next President. He is the only one that I feel this way about and he is the only candidate that excites me - no one else even comes close...

[Celerity]

41. 'I cannot put into words how ecstatic I am to see him become our next President.'

You may (even more than likely are) be right, but this sort of hubris reeks of the 2016 group-think I saw on both Brexit and the POTUS race as well, especially with the American expats in London in regards to the later. (I am sure it was here on this board too, I was not here then, but I am probably correct, perhaps someone can correct me if I am not.)

Way too early to be making 'it's a done deal'-type statements, especially with a Rethug Party and even more so with a monster like Rump, who are both willing to do any level of lying, cheating, stealing etc. to win by any means necessary. Also, an 'it's in the bag' attitude will have the horrid effect of depressing our turnout, which not only hurts us at POTUS level, but will truly impact in a negative way down ballot

I am taking ZERO for granted.

[Hortensis]

17. Great post and a point that hasn't already been made ad nauseum.

For all the criticism, including a despicable but quickly doomed attempt to recast him as a sexual predator, Biden is still widely seen as a nice man and a good, stable and competent leader because he is. His long record also shows him to have always been a solid progressive liberal by nature, working on most of today's issues long before public awareness lead to demand that newer politicians are insisting only they can meet.

I haven't committed to anyone, but I'd be so worried if a candidate like Biden wasn't out front all this time. Above all we really need leaders who can inspire national commitment to the liberal democratic principles we were raised with and to using them to create a much better tomorrow. So far Biden is the one, and I am looking for others I like to show they can provide that critical leadership or get out of the way.

[FakeNoose]

19. K & R thanks for posting this!

[LincolnRossiter]

20. Joe is my #1 with a bullet. I don't think he's the perfect candidate, but I sincerely believe

he’d far and away make the best president of anyone currently viable for the presidency. I think he’ll be a wonderful, competent, compassionate leader for ALL Americans.

[SCVDem]

22. If not for his son passing,

Joe would have assumed his rightful place as the VP next in line to replace a termed out president .

Those who deride him for mentioning Obama forget that Gore distanced himself from Clinton and lost.

Biden is where he should be.

There are not many candidates who can match his experience and some were in diapers when he started. It's easy to pick on an extensive resume and use it to your advantage.

Times have changed and so has Joe Biden!

That said, you will never hear me disparaging a Democratic candidate.

That's what Republicans are for!

[Tarheel_Dem]

35. K&R

[myohmy2]

37. Joe's...

...a decent guy and I'll gladly vote for him should he get the nomination...

...but shouldn't we be thinking smarter, dreaming bigger, doing better?


...check out Joe,

https://joebiden.com/joes-vision/


...then wander over to Bernie,

https://berniesanders.com/issues/


...and tell me who has the better vision for America....

...