Joe Biden has stood the test of time. He should be the next president: Tom Vilsack

[Gothmog]

Link to tweet

As I thought about the candidate who has the ability to bring us together as one nation, the progressive but practical vision for progress at home, the experience and personal relationships to repair America’s image abroad, and the best chance at winning the states we have to win to govern, I concluded that Joe Biden is the person for the job.

I have known Joe Biden for over 30 years. I ran my first race for mayor, because Joe reminded me that the penalty for not getting involved is that people less qualified than you get elected. I learned from him how to work with others across the aisle as a state senator and governor. I remain privileged and honored to have worked with him for 8 years during the Obama administration.

As a result of those experiences I am confident he can help heal our nation and return a sense of normalcy and decency to the White House. I know he can build on the success of the Affordable Care Act to again expand affordable health care coverage to the more than a million Americans who have lost coverage during the current administration. He remains committed to rebuilding the middle class in all parts of our country including rural, small town America. He understands the complex and often dangerous world we live in and no candidate in the race has the experience and the relationships to keep us as safe and secure as Joe Biden.

While some may argue that Joe Biden’s lifetime of public service is a draw-back, I see it as a strength. I see a well-defined candidate, who has withstood the test of time. I see a candidate who will best stand up to the character assassination attempts that we know are coming. I know Joe Biden to be a good and decent man. I believe a majority of Americans will find that Joe Biden is the person best prepared and best positioned to heal the divisions within our country and to end the “disorder” of the last 3 years.

[Gothmog]

1. The Vilsacks and the Bidens at a standing room Saturday morning event in Iowa.

Link to tweet

[Cha]

38. Mahalo, Goth!

[evertonfc]

2. from a electoral

viewpoint- he s the only one we got. We just don't have a Bill Clinton or Obama this cycle. I wonder why?

[pangaia]

3. This is not for or against Biden in particular BUT---

This nation is NOT going to 'come together.'
It hasn't been together since the Civil War, or even before.

It's just a matter of continuing to win the eternal battles of good against evil.
Every day, every week............. again and again............ they will never surrender...

[PatSeg]

7. Sadly, I think it is true

It has only been in recent years that I began to think in terms good versus bad (still don't like the word evil for the most part). I never believed the world was that black and white, but lately I'm beginning to see that there are many people who just don't seem to have any real principles and they strongly resent those who do. They aren't all horrible people, but they seem to lack basic compassion for anyone outside their limited bubbles. Very empathy deficient.

In a sense, it all feels rather biblical I suppose, which I find rather absurd, but sadly it is what I'm seeing. However, I still believe there are those who can change, but probably not without outside help.

[ritapria]

10. Very Well Put

[PatSeg]

11. Thank you

I wish it weren't true.

[pangaia]

14. Yes, maybe evil is the wrong word.

Perhaps being 'asleep' is better. Even most of the major 'spiritual practices' speak of the concept of being asleep.
One has to awaken, even just a tiny bit, if there is any possibility of seeing a sliver of anything.

And to awaken one needs some kind of help, as you say; whether it is a another person or some event that shocks one into it.

[PatSeg]

17. Yes

An event or some form of deprogramming from friends and/or family. That said, there are some people who aren't asleep, they are close to what could be termed "evil". Those are the leaders and tyrants who lure and take advantage of those you call "asleep". They pursue power at any cost and would bring down civilization rather than relinquish that power. They have no thought or regrets as to how many people are harmed or killed.

It is like a board game to them and the lives they affect are of no consequence. I suppose we would call them sociopaths and right now there are quite a few of them in power all over the world.

[pangaia]

23. I still would say those people are asleep as well.

They are unconscious-

If they had any awareness of themselves as 'being alive,' they would not behave the way they do,..at least no so consistently..

[PatSeg]

32. My metaphysical side

says that they serve a purpose, they challenge us to be better and more conscious of the world around us. I'm really not sure about them as people though. The best I can come up with thus far, is they are spiritually immature and underdeveloped.

In a more perfect world, such people would never be permitted to rise to power. There would be guidance and instruction for them, but also restriction until they could display genuine compassion and empathy for their fellow human beings. In a smaller, more tribal setting, such people are never allowed to cause chaos or havoc, as it would be a more hands-on environment. People wouldn't be so isolated or ignored.

[pangaia]

35. Very well said...

They can remind us to see our own inner enemies....

[emmaverybo]

33. Biden is talking about unity under a set of common, shared democratic values, of which a crucial

one is equality and fairness—for all. There has been and will be those who do not subscribe to these. Biden has pointed out one who refuses to uphold what Biden calls America, the idea. That one is Trump. He is not seeking alliances with anti-democratic bigots. Clearly he will not appease them.

That does not mean we can not have unity among the many people in America who uphold the same, fundamental idea and want to strive for greater inclusion:

Snip——————————

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.

End snip———————————————————————————

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

[pangaia]

36. This is a well thought-out comment..

It is also so damn complicated made up of so many threads---

I mean-- so many different but connected issues..
I understand what you say about the concept of an 'american creed..or ideal.. being "we are all created equal"
- this concept of americans as all created equal was of course in word only..and was never true.. it was built on the backs of slaves, and not just figuratively...it was accomplished through the attempted intentional committing of genocide-- through the demeaning of women... and on and on.

-at the same time I understand what you mean by the 'ideal' of all being equal... and it is a noble ideal.

eh... I can't think any more clearly about it and am not good at writing what I DO think....You are much better than I.. I am much better at playing Beethoven and Mahler symphonies to unite human beings....

Ok--idea,, so.. if there are so many of us who do hold these ideals, then ... we are united, as it were.
Still-- the battle is still against the... well... 'republicans' and all that means in the widest sense....
something like that....

actually these days I am in the midst of rehearsing the Hanson Symphony #2, Sherezade, and Short Ride On A Fast Machine.

[LakeArenal]

4. Joe is a solid foundation to me.

Still the most qualified both nationally and globally.

[Thekaspervote]

5. He has the most to offer our country

[flamingdem]

6. JOE for the win! His qualifications exceed

all of the other contenders, he's a bfd

[Demsrule86]

8. Thanks for this...K&R Joe is the most electable Democrat.

[Peacetrain]

9. Thank you Sec. Vilsack!!!

and our former Iowa Governor,, Yes indeed, VP Biden has stood the test of time. And cannot wait to say President Biden..

[Gothmog]

13. As someone who's spent two cycles working in Iowa politics, I can safely say that this is a BFD

Link to tweet

[Gothmog]

12. NEW: Big Iowa endorsement for ⁦ @JoeBiden ⁩

Link to tweet

[gibraltar72]

15. Does Vilsack drive

an 80s era car? Just asking.

[BannonsLiver]

20. He was a Democrat in the 80s, we know that much

You might think about ditching that line. It’s not nearly as clever as you seem to think it is.

[gibraltar72]

21. Biden believes there are honorable Republicans

This is not 1980. There are no honorable Republicans. I love Joe I just don't think he inspires anyone.

[BannonsLiver]

24. It's pretty clear you don't "love Joe" which is fine

We don’t all have to like the same people.

[LanternWaste]

47. The people inspired by Joe laugh at your allegation he inspires no one.

[Magoo48]

26. Jimmy Carter stands the test of time, and his progressive, evolving ideas kept pace with

his ever expanding heroic character.

[Sloumeau]

16. Gothmog, Thanks for posting this. This is great news for Joe! :)

[FakeNoose]

18. Joe brings all Americans together

He unites us all, including many from the other party who I'm sure would crossover to vote for him. I have every confidence that Joe can lead us from Day One and heal the gaping wounds left by the evil Repukes. He can restore honor to American government, which will be a tall order in 2020. I believe Joe is our best chance to fixing this awful mess we're in.

However even if Joe isn't our candidate next year, I'll be proud to support and vote for any Democrat who wins the nomination. We must make sure a Democrat wins next November, no matter what.

[Renew Deal]

19. The thing about time is that time keeps moving.

Biden is from a different time that has passed. This is not the same America from when Biden started 50 years ago.

[LongtimeAZDem]

25. That's precisely why we need him

[at140]

27. Are you saying there is

younger talent available comparable to Joe Biden who would be age 78 if elected president?

[FloridaBlues]

34. 2016 isn't ancient history.

[emmaverybo]

29. He was an active Vice President only three years ago. It is patently ridiculous to insist Biden

lives in a world 50 years ago when he was MVP in the Obama administration from 2008-2016.

I don’t think any politician was championing same-sex marriage fifty years ago, spear-heading gun control legislation, or talking to young people on campuses across America about how they could(young men) help address the epidemic of rape and domestic violence. Biden also lent support and encouragement to the #MeToo movement.

He remains interested and entirely up to date on our most serious world problems, Biden’s recent Op-Ed on how American Central America policy has contributed to the humanitarian
crisis at our southern border and how we can work towards solutions displayed a grasp of both history and the current reality.

Your overlooking Biden’s role in contemporary world affairs—and he is more knowledgeable about these than any other candidate— as well as social progress and problems only goes to show you have not kept up yourself.

But Biden has, with his books finding new audiences and comforting thousands; in his active participation in the Democratic Party campaigning during the 2018 mid-terms, and
only a short time ago rallying party activists in Virginia; in his mentoring of other candidates; and in his town halls, interviews, and speeches, demonstrated a continuing engagement with today’s political landscape and the challenges we face now and in future in education, healthcare, climate change, trade, foreign relations and many other areas.

You don’t like his positions. Fine. But the claim that such an influential and engaged politician is stuck in a world of 50 years ago is nothing but a mindless meme, showing your own lack of information and refusal to acknowledge his vital role in the most recent Democratic presidency.

P.S. Here are today’s world leaders hoping Biden will run for the 2O20 election. I am sure they are not lost in a 70’s time capsule:

Snip—————————-

World leaders tell Biden: We need you

The former vice president would bring deep relationships and heavyweight credentials to a 2020 Democratic field lacking in national security experience.

When Joe Biden attended the annual Munich Security Conference last month, the wonky foreign policy confab promised an escape from the nonstop speculation back home about the former vice president’s political plans.

Instead, Biden’s 2020 intentions were the talk of the conference.

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/03/20/biden-2020-foreign-policy-national-security-1228345
——————————————————.
PS Guess Joe keeps his hand in, as this conference was held this year. Other candidates’ absence noted.

[LongtimeAZDem]

30. Don't forget "first one to introduce legislation to address global warming"

[emmaverybo]

31. Yes! Important. And current plan has been given approval by Sierra Club which said "Joe Biden's

climate plan provides clear vision to tackle the climate crisis and prioritize a just transition for workers and communities disproportionately affected.”

https://www.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2019/06/democrats-must-seize-tonight-s-opportunity-talk-climate

[Cha]

41. That's their empty meme and they're sticking to it.

Well done, emmaverbo!

[Cha]

40. Said nobody Ever.

[Scurrilous]

22. K&R

[WA-03 Democrat]

28. Thanks for posting!

I love Biden.

Just chipped in another $15 to him.

Go Joe Go!

Proven Democratic Executive and Legislate Experience.

He will win WI, MI, OH, PA and FL!

Biden/The candidate Putin knows will crush him.

[aikoaiko]

37. OK -- well there's that.

I think any of our candidates can do what he listed.

[Cha]

39. "World leaders tell Biden: We need you"

[Gothmog]

42. Former Governor, Secretary of agriculture and Iowa Senator Tom Vilsack endorses Joe Biden for Presid

Link to tweet

[Gothmog]

43. Gov. Tom Vilsack signs his "commit to caucus" card for @JoeBiden

Link to tweet

[Gothmog]

44. I'm incredibly honored to have the endorsement of Tom and Christie Vilsack.

Link to tweet

[StarfishSaver]

45. I don't disagree

But I also remember how Hillary was vilified in 2016 by Democrats who said she was too "establishment" and felt entitled to a coronation just because she'd been around a long time.

Another example of the double standard that was applied to her. It breaks my heart how she was treated.

[Tarheel_Dem]

46. I agree. n/t

[Gothmog]

48. Vilsack-"I want my president to have empathy and compassion and heart."

Link to tweet