I'm still undecided, but Joe has one of the most important qualities in my book

[RandySF]

I can trust him on Day One to set things right and repair Trump's damage at home and abroad.

[Thekaspervote]

1. Agree!

[msongs]

2. he has warmth, an important trait. several of our candidates have none nt

[katmondoo]

36. Yes, that is why I am slowly coming over to his side

[onit2day]

47. Better view the Anita Hill hearings before talking about his "Warmth"

[Laura PourMeADrink]

56. 28 years ago. Hell, my Dem dad has changed

infinitely since then.

[rusty quoin]

3. If he can undo the damage then he has my vote.

[samnsara]

28. yeah he can...

[Cha]

4. There is

THAT Vital Matter!

[Grasswire2]

5. I can trust that the free world will breathe a sigh of relief. nt

[BigmanPigman]

7. He already has a positive reputation with our allies

so that is a plus right there.

[Mme. Defarge]

32. Exactement!

[Chin music]

52. +1

[onit2day]

51. Any of our candidates will accomplish that

[KT2000]

6. liked what the president of

the fire fighters union had to say about him having the track record of working for working people. That is what will sway some voters.

[BlueMTexpat]

8. I am still sceptical

because of his demonstrated willingness to bend over backwards to Republicans, just as happened in the Anita Hill hearings and during much of his tenure in the US Senate in the 90s and early 00s.

After all, Joe voted FOR the Iraq war resolution in 2002. And he was supposed to know something about foreign affairs at the time! Both of my MD Senators (Paul Sarbanes and Barbara Mikulski) knew better and voted AGAINST. Even Ben Cardin, currently a Senator, voted "NAY" in the House. WHY did Joe support it?

I am not sure whether he has learned the right lessons about dealing with TODAY'S GOP. He may still be living in the pre-80s past.

I will support him IF he is the nominee. But he will NOT be my choice in the primaries.

I am still "undecided," being especially torn between Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris.

[MySideOfTown]

11. It was the Clarence Thomas hearings

in 1991 where Anita Hill was a witness against Thomas. Biden was Chairman of the Judicial Committee. When all was said and done Biden voted against Thomas, so there is that, for which I applaud, if nothing else

[BlueMTexpat]

12. While he ultimately voted against

Thomas, he was totally outplayed by GOPers.

See, e.g.: https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/what-joe-biden-hasnt-owned-up-to-about-anita-hill

...
Biden failed to acknowledge that, as the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee in 1991, he set many of “the rules” that damaged Hill and determined the over-all fairness of the process. As Jill Abramson and I reported in our 1994 book about the Thomas confirmation fight, “Strange Justice,” several of Biden’s Democratic colleagues in the Senate later acknowledged that, in his eagerness to be impeccably fair to all sides, Biden got outmaneuvered by the Republicans. That left Hill and, ultimately, the truth undefended. As Howard Metzenbaum, a crusty Democrat from Ohio, later admitted, “Joe bent over too far backwards to accommodate the Republicans, who were going to get Thomas on the Court come hell or high water.” An adviser to Ted Kennedy, the Massachusetts liberal whose own womanizing eroded his credibility, was more critical still, saying, “Biden agreed to the terms of the people who were out to disembowel Hill.”

Even one of the top lawyers on Biden’s Senate staff at the time, Cynthia Hogan, now faults their handling of the hearings. As she admitted this week to the Washington Post, “What happened is we got really politically outplayed by the Republicans.” Hogan, now the vice-president for public policy for the Americas at Apple, explained that Biden had wanted to be seen as a neutral arbiter, while the Republicans instead wanted to win. “They came with a purpose, and that purpose was to destroy Anita Hill. Democrats did not coordinate and they did not prepare for battle. I think he would say that that’s what should be done differently.”
...
Thomas’s defenders portrayed Hill as having carefully plotted to bring him down, but, in fact, she twice declined to discuss her allegations with Senate staffers when they contacted her. Eventually, she agreed to do so out of a sense of “duty” to tell the government the truth. She also agreed to share her story only if her name was kept confidential, and with the understanding—which proved false—that her account was one of several such allegations the Senate was investigating.
...
The staffers working for Metzenbaum and Kennedy, however, took Hill’s allegations more seriously and were the first to reach out to her. They urged Biden’s staff to talk to Hill as well. But the effort languished in Biden’s office, where his staff followed his personal rules, which went beyond those of the Senate. The aide who investigated the claim, for instance, declined to call Hill, requiring that Hill instead initiate contact. Once they spoke, the aide declined to act on Hill’s allegation unless Hill consented to Biden’s office confronting Thomas directly and disclosing Hill’s name to him. Hill, who hadn’t asked for any of this, demurred. Biden’s aide concluded that Hill had merely wanted to “get it off her chest.” The public, meanwhile, heard nothing about it.
...

Lots more at the link.

My fear is that Joe is still too much "go along to get along." In this sense, he may STILL underestimate TODAY'S GOPers.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

59. Talk about outplayed? TODAY!!! No tax returns, no

Redacted report, IRS guy said FU, nothing asked for gotten, no supeonas honored.

[BlueMTexpat]

64. ??

Not sure how that really responds to my post.

But if it makes you feel better ... OK.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

67. Sorry. I think my point is how could we be any worse

off than today? When we've got obstruction clear as mud and choose to got to the WH, acting like all is normal. Like trump deserves respect? Back then, there was accommodation between the sides. Today, Biden is using the "I" word, thank God for that.

[BlueMTexpat]

68. OK, I certainly agree that

what we currently have is awful, unacceptable and should be fought against in every way possible. Bad as any previous R Occupant of the WH (I REFUSE EVER to call the Orange Criminal-in-Chief President) has been, Trump is the WORST possible outcome.

All I'm saying is that we have some truly excellent Dem candidates in the primaries - none of whom is perfect - but who do not have the baggage that will certainly come back to bite Biden throughout his campaigning.

The primaries should give us all an opportunity to see how he handles himself when confronted with this baggage. And you can be sure that the mistakenly-labelled "liberal" media will pounce on any and all gaffes. They already are.

Joe was unquestionably an excellent VP with Prez O. But there are reasons why he was not a success when he ran for the Top Job in previous election cycles.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

69. Think baggage has two paths. Baggage that Dems

can pick at. And, baggage that trump can or can't easily pick at.

Like it would be easy for Warren, for instance to criticize Biden's more moderate view (seeing the corporate and individual sides)on passing legislation because she leans much more to the individual side. Yet can't see this being something trump could fault Biden for. (I know, trump can just make up shit, but for argument sake, don't see a huge, lasting issue here). Same with Clarence Thomas...valid Dem issue, how Biden handled, but what's trump gonna say? "You helped get a conservative on the bench, you are so bad?"

On the other hand, running a good more progressive most certainly gives trump lots of ammunition and fodder.

[onit2day]

48. That was a party vote. His treatment of Hill shows a lot. Check this out:

Joe Biden Expresses Regret to Anita Hill, but She Says ‘I’m Sorry’ Is Not Enough
Anita Hill’s name was trending on Twitter on Thursday as many women said they supported her — and, by clear implication, not Joseph R. Biden Jr.CreditElizabeth D. Herman for The New York Times. NYT article shows just how upsetting Biden's behavior was...how angry and accusing he was. Better we confront it now. Better be cautious as Biden has 45yrs of baggage pos. and neg. A snapshot profile is a mistake.

[Lady_Chat]

65. Yet Anita Hill also said it does not disqualify Biden from running

It is her right not to accept his apology if she so chooses. She was not treated fairly, but I think a lot was learned so nothing like that would ever happen again. in the end Biden did vote against Thomas. While she feels an apology is not enough from Biden, she has stated it should not disqualify him from running for the presidency. I think Biden's 1994 Violence against Women Act shows where his heart is, it has helped so many victims of domestic violence. Republicans always have difficulty with renewing it , which shows how truly heartless they are when it comes to caring about women.

[samnsara]

30. joe isnt perfect and i have no purity test except for him NOT to trust trump...

...so hes got my support.

[BlueMTexpat]

44. My qualms are not related to a

"purity" test based on any single action, if you are implying that they are.

They are based on his pattern of behavior in the Senate in the 90s which even many of his Dem colleagues there found wanting.

I am not sure that he has learned from those experiences. The fact is that his belated non-apology "apology" to Anita Hill does not reassure me that he has. The fact that he vacillated so much before - finally - getting into the race also does not reassure me.

I also find it interesting that male candidates literally have their pasts airbrushed, while females are criticized no matter what they do. In 2016, Hillary was literally pilloried for the 1994 crime bill and SHE was NOT even in the Senate at the time. Joe WAS. And HE not only voted FOR it but was very active in getting the bill passed.

I'm glad that he has your support.

But he will NOT have mine in the primaries. There are better alternatives, IMO.

After the primaries, we'll see how things shake out.

[onit2day]

49. Vote for me I'm not Trump is not enough. Trump is done. Look for policy we want enacted

by our candidate

[Laura PourMeADrink]

60. Huh? Trump still there, don't ya know. With some polls

Showing 45% approval. He can effin win with 45.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

58. Go with someone who can actually beat trump, the devil

[Cha]

10. No, that's too broad a brush. That was then.. this

is Now.

Biden has a lot of great accomplishments, and a lot of that is in his 8 years as VP working with President Obama.

The OP is right.. "I can trust him on Day One to set things right and repair Trump's damage at home and abroad."

[zipplewrath]

34. Unless it involves the bankruptcy bill

I'm not sure he can ever get past this achievement of his.

[Cha]

46. I'm sure you can't.. however

it's not up to you.

[onit2day]

50. How.? What are his policies. I want bold new action not angry words or platitudes

[ehrnst]

72. Angry words and platitudes...

I can think of other old candidates who deliver those along with scant "action" taken on their "bold new" policies.

[SharonClark]

14. Sanders selection of anti-Dem advisors shows his poor judgement

Just saying.

[MineralMan]

15. +10

[Kahuna7]

19. +1,000,000 nt

[OhZone]

22. Agreed n/t

[Kahuna7]

29. It also shows what he really thinks about the Democratic Party. nt

[BannonsLiver]

21. Funny

I feel the same way about Bernie a lot of the time. He’s not suited to be president.

[guillaumeb]

27. He HAD terrible judgment on that issue.

As did many others.

[samnsara]

31. how long ago was that?

[ehrnst]

71. How about Bernie's two votes in one year for military intervention in Iraq?

In 1998 Sanders voted in favor of the Iraq Liberation Act of 1998, which said: “It should be the policy of the United States to support efforts to remove the regime headed by Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq and to promote the emergence of a democratic government to replace that regime.”

Later that same year, Sanders also backed a resolution that stated: “Congress reaffirms that it should be the policy of the United States to support efforts to remove the regime headed by Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq and to promote the emergence of a democratic government to replace that regime.”

[progressoid]

13. I trust they all will do that.

[BlueFlorida]

20. Many cannot trust Bernie

He hired Jill Stein voters to his campaign.

[progressoid]

25. Many cannot trust Joe

He voted for the Iraq war. And he pushed the Bankruptcy Reform Act through. And his enthusiastic war on drugs. And he said Pence is a "decent guy." And the Anita Hill debacle. And...

[samnsara]

33. joe is the best guy for this job.

[progressoid]

38. What do you base this on?

[Demsrule86]

39. He was Obama's VP...and they were a team.

He is the one who can beat Trump...Biden is honest and says what he thinks...

[progressoid]

40. Hillary was Obama's Sec'y of State...and they were a team

She is the one who can beat Trump...Hillary is honest and says what she thinks...


Also true. And yet...

[Demsrule86]

41. No they weren't and SOS...is not the same. In fact I see we have some on the Sanders

side talking about write ins. This is not 2016...Trump must go.

[progressoid]

62. Wait...Obama and Clinton weren't a team?

Well, yeah. You're probably right about that. She did kind of criticize him in her book.

[Demsrule86]

66. The relationship was not like the one with Biden.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

57. Man that sounds so republican

[progressoid]

61. I don't think you should call Joe a republican

Sure, he's supported a lot of conservative policies, but that was in the past. He's like super progressive now. He said so.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

63. Bad thread line. I love Joe

[world wide wally]

16. Since Obama trusted him...

I will trust him.

[BlueFlorida]

17. This is why he is so high up in polls. nt

[Kahuna7]

18. YESSS!

That's what is should be about.

[Stuart G]

23. That's it, That's enough, and that's all!!

[patphil]

24. The game has changed

and I think Joe Biden is well aware of what is at stake here.
After 8 years of watching the Republicans show utter contempt for Barack Obama, I am pretty sure he will come prepared for the knock-down, drag-em-out brawl that is going to mark the 2020 Presidential election.
He is already showing that in his early statements.

[yellowdogintexas]

42. Joe has nothing to lose, and no Fs left to give

He opened as an attack dog and he is the one candidate who is in a prime position to do that.
He won't pull any punches.

If he is not the nominee he will still be out there as the attack dog supporting the nominee

[samnsara]

26. me too. I dont even care about policy because i know he will do his best to protect me..

[The Wielding Truth]

35. He has the most clout and knows the most about how to Constitutionally run the nation.

He is a man of the people and has a heart. He can negotiate with reason and common sense. He is mostly the opposite of a reckless greedy scumbag. I do like the other candidates, too. Biden seems the least likely to fold under to anything that Trump would vomit up.

[oasis]

43. True that!

[nolabear]

45. Yes. He can literally pick up the phone with world leaders

and say “Hey! It’s Joe. We’re sorry about that detour. Let’s get back to work.” No intro needed.

[onit2day]

54. You can trust any of our candidates on day one. Our party has been pulled so far to the right

that we are basically '70s republicans. I want Medicare for all, the green new deal, SS benefits increased, free public education, livable wages, corporate regulations, renewable energy and get off fossil fuels, low drug prices, Wealth equality, nuclear free world...all of which can be accomplished within the next few years. What do you want?

[ehrnst]

70. Perhaps you weren't around in the 70's...

GWB acknowledged climate change - does that make any Democrat that does now "Bush lite?"



I don't recall 70's GOP supporting Planned Parenthood, Roe v Wade, affirmative action, the Voting Rights Act, the ERA, the UN, welcoming immigrants.

I guess if one is a white straight male, those things aren't really "relevant."

[Laura PourMeADrink]

55. Un-fuck America per Avlon

[Cha]

73. K!