Biden weirdness on Obama: "you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate..."

[BurtWorm]

It gets worse:


“I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy,” he said. “I mean, that’s a storybook, man.”

http://www.tpmcafe.com/blog/electioncentral/2007/jan/31/biden_unloads_on_clinton_obama_edwards

http://observer.com/20070205/20070205_Jason_Horowitz_pageone_newsstory1.asp

:wtf:

[Little Wing]

1. He even has good teeth!

:eyes:

[Bucky]

12. "He's got shoes and a job and no history of being on welfare."

Biden's really got his head up his ass most of the time. Lots of poeple do, but the difference with Biden is that he seems to like the decor.

But even given all that, Biden is still tons better than any neocon artist and has a pretty solid grasp of what we need to do in foreign policy. Just wish he could practice his shut-up more.

[BurtWorm]

18. I wish he could study what the hell a statement like that says about him.

There was another Democratic Senator who made a similarly racist non sequitur about Condi Rice around the time she was under fire for her incompetent handling of the NSA, suddenly going off on what a "story" her rise from African Americanness to NSA Director was. I think it was Leahy, I'm sorry to say. But he and now Biden amply demostrate how far removed from reality the Senate is. They make you wonder why we trust these cloud-cuckoo landers to make laws for the rest of us down here on earth.

[treestar]

142. A cloud-cuckoo lander is what he is

He has been in the Senate since he was 30 years old, and is a prime example of why no one should be allowed to make a career out of politics.

We should raise the Senate age to 65 so it won't be tempting that way.

[Jackpine Radical]

57. God, what a wonderful line.

Biden's really got his head up his ass most of the time. Lots of poeple do, but the difference with Biden is that he seems to like the decor.

[undeterred]

35. And he showers!

[spanone]

2. Biden is one of the few people who loves to hear himself talk.

[brendan120678]

71. One of the few people who loves to hear himself talk?

I can think of at least 100 people with the same affliction.

And, by coincidence, they all happen to be United States Senators.

[Critters2]

158. It's a common affliction in my profession. nt

[xchrom]

3. lol -- oh my god --

the rank stupidity and latent racism that lurks -- bubbling and simmering just beneath the surface.

[shanti]

16. yes, and he's a dem!

proof how insidious racism is in the u.s. of a.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

75. We don't need more proof, after Katrina.

Civility is a thin and fragile veneer. Biden's is thinner than most.

Maybe Biden is channeling Earl Butz.

:rofl:

[Jackpine Radical]

58. Joe's foot and Joe's mouth

seem to have an unholy attraction for each other.

[gatorboy]

4. Well have you seen Jesse Jackson's cuticles?

They could use some work.

[Pithy Cherub]

5. Is Biden the first white no chance toady with hair plugs

to run for president? D-MBNA is soooooooo jealous. :puke:

[bluethruandthru]

6. Biden really needs to hang it up...

He'd be much happier hosting a game show!

[babylonsister]

7. Mainstream African American? Clean?? Jeebus.

:puke: :eyes: Pack it in, Biden. Your racism is showing.

[LynneSin]

69. I've met Biden and racist he is not

He's just a dumbass when it comes to making appropriate statements

[Dorian Gray]

73. HE may not be racist....

but his words certainly are. And since I've never met the man, I have to judge him based on his words.

How awful and embarassing. He should apologize immediately for his ignorant remarks.

[babylonsister]

128. Then he needs to hire someone to critique what he plans on saying,

because that remark sure sounded racist to me. I imagine Obama might take it the same way.

[Solon]

133. Not Consciously racist, sub-consciously, I'm not so sure...

There is a difference, many people that claim to not be racist, even support most or all programs that help minorities, may end up being surprised when a black man doesn't speak a certain way, or a Hispanic man speaks without a heavy accent, etc. They have certain prejudices and such that are by and large ingrained in our culture. To be honest, call this "stupid racism" its not a conscious thing, more like looking at the world through the eyes of the larger culture.

Its not so much a way to blame these types of people for their sub-conscious racism, its just that they will say some of the dumbest things, and aren't even aware of it.

[Karenina]

163. An open letter to LynnSin

Dear LS, I address this communication to you, in particular, as you've been one of my favorite Duers for YEARS and if I have a hope in hell of being understood by any member of this dominant community, YOU are certainly on the short list.

You declare definitively

"I've met Biden and racist he is not."

Reading your MANY wonderful posts throughout the years, I have concluded that you are a 29+ white female from Delaware who is SERIOUSLY on top of our deteriorating circumstances. I will tiptoe around your sensibilities as much as I can, at the same time I must be DIRECT. So do, please, take a deep breath if anything I write below at first hits your reflexes. Then I ask, that as a longtime "internet acquaintance," you do me the respect of considering my words carefully.

As a white woman, you do not really know what racism is. You are able to empathize with certain manifestations, as the power dynamic also affects women globally. Speaking as an "alpha black female" :evilgrin: I am well-acquainted with the view and reality from the bottom of the totem-pole.

To really know if Joe Biden is a racist, you would have to be a born and bred American black woman. Why that? Many racists make "exceptions" for Asians, Latinas, Middle Easterners as they are "exotic," not all THAT dark and have "good hair" and maybe they even have a brain in their heads. Hell, THEY'RE ON MY STAFF!!! There is no worse "insult" to a white man than having a black woman publicly call his shit out. (HE is the father of my child). You may wonder why I focus on WOMEN'S perceptions and hopefully I can allude to that before I have to sign-off to go prepare my classes for tomorrow.

Here's the totem pole:

WHITE MEN

+MEN OF COLOUR

+WHITE WOMEN

WOMEN OF COLOUR

BLACK WOMEN

+ These two "groups" seamlessly change positions depending on the circumstances. Please note that in my perception, "men of coulour" DOES include black men and that the "categories" for women ARE different. Think: Patriarchy.

Racism is most accurately perceived by those affected by it. It is not just words, it's how those words are used, it's coded VERBAL and BODY LANGUAGE. It's the startle reflex if you get too close or the unspoken assumption that you're a "girl gone wild." It's noticing the difference of how those of different skin shades are treated. Having not grown up black in a white-dominated society there is NO WAY that you have developed the antennae to pick those signals up UNLESS you are identified by society as white and your beloved family members have darker skin. Even then your skills would be limited. But only THEN would you have the opportunity to witness firsthand the pain and humiliation of the "subtle digs" or the outrageous, pigeon-holing assumptions.

In America, the taboo for calling out racist behaviour and/or public expressions of bigotry is MUCH GREATER than the slurs or actions that prompt the observations. "Halfafrican" gets many :eyes: and protestations but as yet NO ONE is surrounding the studio DEMANDING the the messenger of HATRED be taken OFF THE PUBLIC AIRWAVES BECAUSE "WE THE PEOPLE" OF AMERICA FIND IT OBSCENE. If the black community were to do so you can be sure the M$M would characterize it as "Niggers running wild and loose in the streets."

Americans will criticize Germany on "free speech" grounds, that giving the salute and shouting "Heil Hitler" or denying the Holocaust will land your ass in jail. Having lived here for many years I SUPPORT THAT RESTRICTION. One is entitled to his own opinion but NOT to promulgate LIES.

Getting back to Biden. His careless expressions indicate a deep insensitivity to coded language. Indeed, his previous gaffes show that he is OBLIVIOUS to such. They also point to an attitude that the few black members on this board have clarified, over and over and over and over and over and over again, only to be confronted with disingenuous, semantic BULLSHIT.

My sincere intent is to foster a deeper understanding. My PM is open to you.

Yours in solidarity,

Karenina

[shawcomm]

171. Bullshit.

While in S.C. recently, he took pride in the fact that his state was a slavery state.

While he was trying to woo the racist GOP southerners, there's no excuse for claiming slavery as your own unless you don't have a big problem with it.

[helderheid]

8. Biden, Biden, Biden. I don't like you. You are not the real deal.

How fucking racist can you get?

[treestar]

143. It's kind of hard on someone to call them racist when they are

trying to compliment someone else. And if you look at that sentence, it really doesn't relate race to the good characteristics. In fact, it may be racist to assume that statement is racist, because you have to read it in there, so that Biden's statement isn't racist, but reading it in shows an inherent racism.


:crazy:

[Karenina]

146. Ever heard of a "left-handed compliment?"

It's an old phrase that conjures prejudices of another sort. Those aside, it applies.

[BurtWorm]

159. It's loaded with code words!

How is it not racist to praise Obama as the "first mainstream African American" to have all those positive qualities? Is it not racist to say, "Some of my best friends are <fill in ethnic group being disparaged after a 'but'>?"

At the very least, Biden shows a lack of sensitivity and a tin ear. And mind you, it's evident he doesn't intend to attack Obama with this statement, and maybe even means to sincerely praise him, but his awkward phrasing betrays a negative attitude (whether he thinks he has one or not) about African Americans in general. I mean, if he really thought Obama was "articulate, clean, etc.," why did he bring race into the equation?

[Deep13]

9. Obama's so well spoken!

'Cuz, ya know, I expected him to sound like a gangster rapper or something. :sarcasm:

Jesus, is Biden our George Allen?

[NotGivingUp]

10. not a great commen at all. what makes it so bad is "the first". n/t

[hippiechick]

11. ... that statement is so totally out of bounds!

:wow: ... and out in SPACE. Holy Moly.

[Poiuyt]

13. And boy, can he dance!

[NewJeffCT]

43. And play basketball

always the first choice in those Senate pick-up games.

[shanti]

14. oh.my.god

:banghead: talk about sticking his foot in his mouth...

[Philosoraptor]

15. Like years ago when he ran, one stupid comment will take him out.

He's outta there.

[SOS]

101. His poll number just went from 1% to zero.

nt

[Connie_Corleone]

17. Gee! Thank ya, Massa Boss Biden.

You sho do know ain't too many of us colured folk can speak too good. And we's like to see a a colured boy wear those fine lookin' clothes the white folk wear.

Massa Boss Biden goin' make a good prezdent. He'll take care of us colured folk.

[NNN0LHI]

19. I am surprised he didn't mention that he had good rhythm. Christ n/t

[peacetalksforall]

20. This means Waters, Conyers, Lee , Meek and all the others aren't

very clean, not quite so articulate. Obama's the first.

[Cocoa]

39. and he's saying they're ugly too

he said Obama's the first "nice-looking" one. :rofl:

[fishwax]

175. or bright

he mentioned that too.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

21. Gosh! An African-American who is clean, bright, and articulate!

Who would have ever imagined that a black man could be anything but a shiftless, stupid, ugly, criminal?

Joe is ever so "articulate" in stating his premise. Or, at least he would be, if it were 1846.

[Philosoraptor]

24. Did he forget about Senator Mike Tyson?

[geek tragedy]

22. And he doesn't have hair plugs! eom

[Phredicles]

23. And he never plagiarised Neil Kinnock!

Biden needs a chronic case of laryngitis...

[Grandrose]

25. Say What???

I guess Rev. Jackson and Mr. Sharpton and Senator Mosley-Braun
were chopped liver.

I know Biden loves to hear himself talk...but this is totally off
the charts!

As a African-American and Democrat, I am insulted. :mad:

[BurtWorm]

106. Welcome to DU, Grandrose!

:toast:

Unbelievable that Biden would choose to launch his campaign speaking this shit! Unbelievable.

[Grandrose]

150. Thank You

:hi: Been here long time, finally found the courage to just
jump in. So far...the water is fine!

[NYCGirl]

122. BTW, that's Rev. Sharpton. NT

[Grandrose]

155. Thank you.....my bad!

Thank you for that correction and as someone else posted and how could
I not mention...the late Shirley Chisolm (great lady). Senior moment.
:-)

[Starbucks Anarchist]

26. "I'd even let him look at my daughter!"

:eyes:

[Zavulon]

27. Remember Biden's words the next time people tell you there is no prejudice.

The fact that Biden views Obama as some sort of exception speaks volumes. My jaw dropped when I read that shit.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

28. "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt."

-Abraham Lincoln

[cooolandrew]

29. Could be he is favouring Hillary but for me a very dodgy comment.

[babylonsister]

42. Favoring Hillary? He's also running, or was. This will hopefully put his

run in the toilet.

[WestHoustonDem]

30. Hey - some of my best friends are nice looking, articulate mainstreem

African-Americans. I have a Jewish friend too.

[Philosoraptor]

32. I once met an asian person!

And she WASN'T dressed like a geisha

[arcos]

156. You are kidding right??

All asian women dress like geishas!

All black people have weird names and love hip hop and reggae too!

[Lisa0825]

34. Really?

I hope you're not friends with her JUST because she's Jewish. ;)

[WestHoustonDem]

68. LOL - I even have a couple of gentile friends

:rofl:

[femmedem]

137. Me too! Me Too! Of course their noses are high-bridged and narrow. n/t

[Beausoir]

31. Good lord..that is really bad.

[goclark]

33. That is absolutely racist to the core!

:puke:

I am calling his office right now -----


MLK was "main stream"

Jesse Jackson was/is "Main Stream" and he ran for President. He is bright, good looking, articulate and all those things that he has given as qualities to OBAMA.

Carol M - B was mainstream!
What an insult to ALL African Americans and ALL Woman.

Al Sharpton is as sharp as a needle! His looks are in the eyes of the beholder and in my view, Biden is UGLY with his face and his mouth!

Shirley Chisolm was the first African American WOMAN to run for President, but I guess she doesn't count because she is a woman. She was
SMART!

[Sapphire Blue]

67. I just called, was told they are getting a lot of calls about this & they "are trying to confirm".

My comment: Massa Biden is a racist & doesn't stand a chance. I certainly hope that a sincere apology is offered with that 'confirmation', along with a withdrawal from the presidential contest. We don't need another racist in the White House.

[blogslut]

36. there's a slip

n/t

[dancingme]

37. and he sings like Sammy David Jr

and Nat King Cole. :banghead:

[Cocoa]

38. Archie Bunker lives!

:rofl:

[The Count]

40. Sam Seder is just disecting this...

[tinfoilinfor2005]

41. Joe's only out is to vehemently deny that the interview took place

and hope that no one taped it.

Because there is NO explanation for that kind of bullshit.

[cherokeeprogressive]

164. WRONG! He goes into rehab, and blames his loose lips on the painkillers... n/t

[Stephanie]

44. "articulate?"

Good God. Biden is finished. That's stupider than anything John Kerry ever said.

[Philosoraptor]

46. And clean too!

[BurtWorm]

95. And "the first mainstream African American."

:insert smiley slowly shaking head and cringing:

[treestar]

145. Saying something stupid is not fatal

Otherwise, how did Chimpy get elected?

[NewJeffCT]

45. Didn't he make a racist remark regarding Indians about a year ago?

I think it was him.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

52. Yep:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13757367/

WASHINGTON - Facing criticism, potential 2008 presidential candidate Joe Biden has been forced to explain his recent remark that "you cannot go to a 7-Eleven or a Dunkin' Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent."

On a recent edition of the C-SPAN series "Road to the White House," the Delaware senator is shown shaking hands with a man and boasting about his support among Indian-Americans.

"I've had a great relationship. In Delaware, the largest growth in population is Indian-Americans moving from India. You cannot go to a 7-Eleven or a Dunkin' Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent.I'm not joking," Biden said.

[Dorian Gray]

76. And didn't Hillary say something similar?

Prejudice is everywhere. It's sad.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

77. Yep again:

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/01/06/elec04.s.mo.farmer.clinton.ap/

ST. LOUIS, Missouri (AP) -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton apologized for joking that Mahatma Gandhi used to run a gas station in St. Louis, saying it was "a lame attempt at humor."

The New York Democrat made the remark at a fund-raiser Saturday. During an event here for Senate candidate Nancy Farmer, Clinton introduced a quote from Gandhi by saying, "He ran a gas station down in St. Louis."

[treestar]

149. Is there a limit, though?

Seriously, is there a limit we it can be considered being overly sensitive to take offense? I debate with right wingers and I know exactly what they would say to this - ridicule about being insulted by a compliment, etc.

And these are true racists.

If I were black I would rather have "racist" Biden than a real racist repuke. There are racists, and there are racists. The subconscious kind still tries to treat people equally and should be encouraged. Overreacting against this kind of thing has often made racists of those who wouldn't have been without it, IMO. Some whites are just resentful of always being called racists if they just open their mouths around someone black, and that gives them a motive to stay separate from blacks. And not all blacks take offense at this level of racism, seeing how it can backfire.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

154. Yes.

And I'm one of those people who think many others do overreact in somewhat similar situations. However, Biden should have chosen his words more carefully.

Personally, I don't think he's racist, at least not in the "classical" sense. He may just have the world's worst case of foot-in-mouth disease.

As far as the Indian-American remarks, it was stupid of him to say. While there may be a shred of truth in his general thoughts in this situation (the overabundance of Indians at 7-11), politicians in the public eye should not speak like Biden does in these situations.

[Karenina]

168. I just don't know what to say...

NOTHING. That works for me. NOTHING.

[Hav]

47. .

So, I guess that was it with Biden's run for the Presidency. Not that he had any chance before that comment.
It was a great run, indeed. Damn, he was so close!
January the 30th - February 1st (if he's smart and gives up tomorrow)

[Philosoraptor]

49. He officially announced yesterday, damn a 1 day campaign!

[Hav]

54. .

Yeah, classic example of how not to start your campaign.

First Announcement: "I want to be President!"
Second Announcement: "Obama is the first clean African-American! Isn't it great?"
Third Announcement: "I changed my mind about running for President. I have other plans. Like family and stuff..."

[faithnotgreed]

166. well that was 1 day too long

good riddance to the absolutely inexcusable assinine and unfortunately commonplace rhetoric of yet another politician (and i dont use that term as a compliment either)

[AlCzervik]

48. Wow Obama is clean! puts check mark next to clean.

[Philosoraptor]

51. Hygiene is important y'know!

[verse18]

50. He also bragged about being from a "slave state"

as if it were something to be honored by.

[valerief]

53. I think those hair plugs are messing with Biden's brains. nt

[TornadoTN]

55. Expect him to withdraw from the race tommorrow

As if he had a chance to begin with, but this pretty much ends that pipe dream.

Reminds me of the cartoons when a race car or vehicle try to speed off, but end up not getting very far because the wheels came off in the pit stall. Maybe I saw this in Cars, since my son loves to watch it.

[Philosoraptor]

56. On your mark, get set......utter a stupidity & he's out.

[TornadoTN]

59. Yes, and did we expect anything less?

Joe is such a wind-bag and enjoys hearing his own voice so much, I figured this would be the way he went out of the race, I just did't expect it so soon.

Oh well, he can head back to the talk show circuit straddling those fences he so enjoys.

[Marie26]

141. Not so sure about that

If Biden's the type of person I think he is, he won't even apologize, and will keep campaigning until the voters tell him to go away.

[TornadoTN]

169. You've got that right!

His ego thinks it can win, so he'll be in it until the end. Somehow, Biden thinks that he is entitled to the position of President.

While I didn't think he had a chance before, he certainly doesn't have one now. Let's just hope he can keep from trying to divide the party even further by being the pretentious middle man.

[wyldwolf]

60. Caught a segment of Laura Ingraham just now... the right is reacting just like the left...

...but you both seem to ignore the subject was candidates for president. And Biden is right. Obama IS the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean (meaning no real skeletons in the closet) and a nice-looking guy.

Is there something wrong with pointing that out because Obama is black? Or does someone here believe another African American presidential candidate fits that description? Jesse Jackson? Alan Keyes? C'mon! Mainstream America would have NEVER voted for those two but they would for Obama, IMO.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

64. It's more the language used.

Whenever someone refers to a black person as "articulate," as if it was so extraordinary that they had to point it out, it often points to some deep-seated racially insensitive/racist beliefs.

Reminds me of a Chris Rock routine about 10 years ago, when he was discussing Colin Powell and white people's reaction to Powell as "well-spoken," etc. -- Rock said, "Well-spoken's not a compliment. That's how you refer to retarded people that can talk."

:rofl:

[wyldwolf]

66. remind me not to call anyone who happens to be black "articulate" then.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

70. Well, it's also about intent and context.

And given Biden's similar recent comments about Indian-Americans, it's easy to see where he's going with this.

[wyldwolf]

78. yes, and I've read the entire context.

Biden called Obama the first African American presidential candidate who is clean (free from corruption), articulate, and is good looking. A dream candidate.

Unless you want to debate whether Alan Keyes, Al Sharpton, or Jesse Jackson fits that bill.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

81. "Clean" can have different meanings.

And I wouldn't call Keyes, Sharpton, or Jackson good-looking, but they clearly do not sound like idiots in terms of their cadence, etc.

[wyldwolf]

84. yes it can, so you want to assign the most troubling definition of it to Biden

Knowing full well that in politics, "clean" ALWAYS means to be without corruption?

Why do you think a US Senator would imply other Black candidates have had poor hygiene? If anyone believes that about Biden, they are seriously deluded.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

86. Oh, Wyldwolf.

I find it amazing how you can string words together into complete sentences like that.

Good for you, boy.


Note: The above is simply a nice compliment.

[shawcomm]

178. Outstanding response.

There's no need to defend this, and you just nailed that idiocy. Thanks.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

90. Remember Trent Lott?

The Senate's not exactly the United Nations in terms of racial sensitivity.

And coupled with Biden's comments about Indian-Americans, it's clear that he has some odd feelings towards minorities.

BTW, I know about you and your DLC obsession, but trying to defend your middle-of-the-road candidate is not becoming of you.

[wyldwolf]

93. yes. Did Trent Lott say what he did to a reporter writing a story on him?

Did Trent Lott KNOW his words would be published and broadcast?

[Starbucks Anarchist]

94. Doesn't matter.

In politics, you always assume someone is listening and watching.

And George Allen clearly saw the camera in "Macaca's" hand when he insulted him, BTW.

[wyldwolf]

97. It matters plenty. A Senator being interviewed would not say African-Americans have poor hygiene.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

103. He may not have meant it that way, but that's how it came off.

Just like "articulate" in this context seems like a back-handed compliment/racially-charged insult.

And given Biden's extreme attention fetish, he should have his whole public persona down pat so as to make his words unambiguous and uncontroversial -- much like his policies.

[wyldwolf]

105. no, that is how you want it to be spun

[Starbucks Anarchist]

111. Nope.

You don't think a smart, media-savvy guy like Biden would realize the power of the media?

And again, what about his recent comments involving Indian-Americans? You don't see a pattern here?

[wyldwolf]

112. yep! Anyone who says a US Senator would say black candidates have poor hygiene...

... is either lying and hoping that spinning it that way will hurt the candidate, or is a real dumbass.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

114. Can you read?

I said his comments could be taken that way, and Biden should have chosen his words far more carefully or not have said anything at all.

And thanks for not answering my question regarding Biden's comment about Indian-Americans, and instead attacking me personally. Who's spinning now?

:eyes:

[wyldwolf]

118. of course I can.

:eyes:

Hint: I don't have to answer every irrelevant question.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

120. And I don't have to spell out everything for you.

Goodbye. :eyes:

[wyldwolf]

121. Well, at least you're correct about that.

hello. :eyes:

[JacksonWest]

138. How many people honestly thought he meant hygiene?

The articulate part seems to be the most insulting-and well the clean part implies that all other black politicians are corrupt or "unclean".

Either way, it's a bigoted remark.

Now you've got me thinking Starbuck Anarchy(in the Uk?)-if he meant clean-cut. Not non-corrupt. Hmmm. You might be right.

[Karenina]

147. It was a double-entendre. CODE LANGUAGE.

[JacksonWest]

151. Yeah, it may be.

Biden may or may not be bigot-well he is one. I read the comments earlier today, and just took the clean to mean "not corrupt". Either way-it's derogatory, so.....yeah. Do you think this was just "foot in his mouth" or some well chosen words with malicious intent?

[BurtWorm]

161. It looks like it was revelatory of something he did not intend to show

Maybe of something he doesn't even know is present in his character. It's difficult to see why he counterbalanced his intended "praise" with reference to race.

Really baffling why he threw the word "first" in there. :wtf:

[Karenina]

167. Frankly, I don't believe for a moment it was "INTENTIONALLY" malicious

It was UNINTENTIONALLY malicious as white men of his generation are hard-pressed to know the difference. As such he gets the benifit of the doubt from me.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

153. The proximity of "clean" to "good-looking" lends itself to suspicion.

Biden may have meant "not corrupt," but his semantics might suggest otherwise.

[JacksonWest]

136. Wasn't " I know about you and your DLC obsession" a b side single from Fleetwood Mac?

If not, it should be. I'm already humming it in my head.

[SOS]

117. What would be your response

to this hypothetical comment by a Democratic contender for the nomination?

On Hillary Clinton:

“I mean, you got the first mainstream white woman who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking gal,” he said. “I mean, that’s a storybook, man.”

[wyldwolf]

119. LOL! I would say the statement is factually correct. Are you implying...

...pointing out someone is black or a woman and is the first serious contender of both is a bad thing?

[Balbus]

82. When's the last time you referred to a white person as articulate?

That's what I thought...

[wyldwolf]

88. Last week when discussing Bill Clinton vs. damn near every GOP candidate

That's what I thought.

[Balbus]

108. Right....

[wyldwolf]

110. correct. Honestly. You've never heard the term applied to a white man?

...and you've never done it yourself?

LOOK! John Kerry is articulate!

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=John+Kerry+articulate&btnG=Google+Search

So is John Edwards!

andy Crowley, CNN: "He is... a very articulate man. ... He was front and center during the Monica Lewinsky impeachment trial of Bill Clinton and was considered very articulate during that time." (January 1, 2003)

Blogger Steve Benen, the Carpetbagger Report: "... Edwards is a very bright, articulate, and aggressive lawmaker." (August 26, 2003)

David Greenberg, Legal Affairs: "Fresh-faced and articulate, he possessed a warmth that his rivals lacked." (January 2004)

Slate partial headline: "... John Edwards is bright and articulate and really, really youthful. ..." (February 6, 2004)

Charles Paul Freund, Reason Online: "lmost all the coverage was founded on the theme of Edwards as an articulate, appealing, and energetic political force." (July 7, 2004)

Rob McManamy, the University of Chicago Chronicle: "The charismatic, passionate and articulate former U.S. Sen. John Edwards is speaking out about the need to lift more Americans out of poverty and into the middle class." (March 2, 2006)

David Hampton, clarionledger.com: "Edwards is young, smart, articulate and a good Southerner with moderate tendencies and a heart for traditional Democratic issues." (December 28, 2006)

wikiDemocrats.com: "He's charming, he's smart and he's articulate." (as of January 29, 2007)

You know what? I don't think John Edwards and his supporters consider it an insult that he keeps being called "articulate."

[LeftishBrit]

130. A few days ago, referring to one of my undergraduate students

And quite frequently in political contexts; e.g. Blair is articulate but has no substance; Gore is much more articulate than Bush; etc.

I get the impression that Biden is somewhat INarticulate, however - perhaps the reason that he needed to copy our Kinnock's speech that time?

ETA: My problem with Biden's remark is not the use of 'articulate' or 'clean' (which I interpreted as meaning 'has a clean record; free from baggage'), but his use of the expression "the FIRST mainstream African-American candidate", etc. Maybe he means 'the first with a real chance of winning the presidency in one of the main parties'; but it sounds as though he thinks that there have not been any mainstream African-American politicians before Obama, which is rubbish of course.

[Stephanie]

123. Well I WILL remind you. It's a classic boneheaded remark.

Like "white trash," it's racist by implication.

[JacksonWest]

134. Using the word articulate invites a comparison.

The question is to what. IN the context Biden used, it appears that he was saying Obama was articulate compared to African Americans. Not politicians, lawyers, or 9th grade sex offenders-but African Americans.

[shawcomm]

173. Do you not see the condescention in that statement?

Why not just say, "He's so well spoken... for a black man." It alludes to the thought that it is not normal for black people to be articulate. He is stating that it surprises him that a black man is articulate.

[TornadoTN]

74. Considering Biden's track record, it certainly raises red flags

Remember his remarks about walking into 7-11's and Dunkin' Donut's and only hearing indian accents?

[SaveElmer]

91. I don't think Biden is racist...or meant it to sound that way...

But really, has the guy been living in a box? The way words sound is more important to the media than what they might mean. Surely Biden could have chosen his words much more carefully...and

In the rest of the article he is not only critical of the other candidates, but very condescending in my opinion...not really the way to start a campaign...

He is a good Senator, very knowledgeable, a good debater, and has a good sense of humor...and would probably be a good President...but he seems to have a problem thinking about what he says before he says it, and particularly how that will sound...

I have to admit to thinking WTF? when I first heard it...clean? Knowing Joe Biden is not a racist I accept he didn't mean it that way...but man it sounds bad...

I think this is gonna kill him in terms of his campaign...

[BurtWorm]

96. That's what he meant by "clean?" How was anyone supposed to know

that, based on the rest of the comment, which is about as ignorant as comments from white people about black people come? Jesse Jackson wasn't "good looking" or "articulate?" Well, apparently not according to Joe Biden. Isn't articulate a code word for "white sounding?" Maybe "good looking" means "white looking?"

:wtf:

[shawcomm]

174. So he's either insulting Obama, or every other prominent black person.

Either way, Biden is a racist ass.

[treestar]

144. Joe should have used something better than "mainstream"

and instead said the first AA running for President who is blah, blah.

Then only Jackson and Keyes had to be insulted.

Then again, he should have just left the entire sentence and thought out and gone on to the issues.

Or he did it on purpose - they are running against each other at this point, and Biden may be purposely underlining for those whole will vote in the primary to appeal to their latent racism. But it'll only help him so much. What to do with his other opponents. LOL.

[KingFlorez]

148. I agree

Some people are reading this comment the wrong.

[SaveElmer]

61. Hmmm...well Joe...that's one way to start a Presidential campaign...

...insult and denigrate your competitors...

I'm real sure folks will flock to you now... :sarcasm:

I guess that 1998 gaff wasn't an isolated incident after all...

[Marie26]

162. A little off topic

but this has got to be the worst campaign site I've ever seen. It's literally one sentence long, w/place to submit your e-mail address & volunteer. No streaming video announcements there.

http://www.joebidenforpresident.org/

[sniffa]

62. he's nonthreatening.. and his hair is pretty

[More Than A Feeling]

63. Get out, Biden. Now. Before you embarrass yourself and your party any more.

[LynneSin]

65. Hopefully this will end his presidential aspirations

I'll still vote for Joe Biden as my senator but I really never did think he was presidential material. This isn't the first time he's said something boneheaded about a different race. I know he means well - just has a difficult time articulating it sometimes.

[peekaloo]

72. He's on The Daily Show tonight.

Stewart usually buffs his behind but I hope this remark gets brought up.

[Dora]

79. There's no way to get a pass on saying shit like this.

Somebody mentioned upthread that Biden's not racist, he's just stupid. So what if Biden's not a racist at heart?

Idiotic public statments like this demonstrate that Biden has not examined his own racism. A man incapable of self-reflection is NOT THE KIND OF LEADER WE NEED.

Jeebus - if my husband said something like this... I'd be on him so fast, he'd never ever hear the end of it. Biden shouldn't either.

I don't want a public photo-op apology from Biden. I want Biden to go to Obama's office and personally apologize, with the entire CBC as witness.

I'm stunned at the ignorance. Absolutely stunned.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

80. Jesus. What a racist asshole.

[seemunkee]

83. Is Chris Rock writing for him?

"Oh he's so well spoken. He just speaks so well"

[npincus]

85. Buh-Bye, Biden.

[Catherine Vincent]

87. This is from Biden?

Good lord! :eyes:

[soleft]

89. Of course the good news for Biden is

It's doubtful anyone else will come forward and claim to have said this first.

[BurtWorm]

99. Hee hee!

:rofl:

[Philosoraptor]

104. (rimshot!) OOH--good one!

[LeftishBrit]

135. Bwahaha!

Kinnock may have been sometimes called the 'Welsh Windbag', but he'd never have come out with anything as daft as that!

[havocmom]

92. Biden's Syndrome- like Touretts but without the awareness of the offending speech.

Gads, he should go back to plagiarizing. It was safer.

[sarge43]

98. Lou Grant concerning Ted Baxter

"It isn't watching him put his foot in his mouth; he does that all the time. It's watching him jam the other one in at the same time."

I especially like that 'articulate'. I mean, Martin Luther King Jr was such a mumble mouth.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

100. bye, bye Biden. You just blew your chance to be Prez.

What an idjit. Hard to believe someone with his experience would say something like that.

[tabasco]

102. Biden is an asshole. Better than a republican but not by much.

I know it might be unfair but Joe seems to be a lackey of big money. I know he has to do things to stay in the Senate but Joe seems to think more highly of himself than do Democrats in general.

[BayCityProgressive]

107. Biden has

said other racist things in the past. i hate this idiot.

[FrenchieCat]

109. Like I said elsewhere.....

Biden's election campaign will die a loud death.

And as the first candidate with Hair plugs.....so it should!

[VOX]

113. Gee, the Credit-Card State Senator forgot to compliment Obama on his "natural rythym"...

What is it about senators from the Northeast named Joe?????? :grr:

Biden's once again spitting his own shoe-leather.

[AspenRose]

115. If you call Biden's office, PLEASE be nice....

I just called them and it's obvious that the calls are wearing the staff down. So please be polite.

I asked if they had any people of color on the staff (they said yes), and I suggested that in the future, that any statements like the one Biden issued be run by them first to check for cultural sensitivity. The guy I talked to on the phone emphatically agreed.

202-224-5042

[zulchzulu]

116. Biden never had a chance anyway

There's a LOT of dirt on him in Delaware over gifts from the banking and insurance industry and other stories that would be released if he was ever a contender.

Biden fell down a 300-foot well politically. And nobody wants to throw a rope to help him out...

[Solly Mack]

124. He could have said - first acceptable African-American- and it wouldn't

have been any different from what he did actually say

Damn, Biden. STFU. Don't even have to scratch your surface, you open your mouth and the shit just pours out

[Karenina]

170. Or - first African-American who MAY be acceptable to white people

:evilgrin:

[Solly Mack]

176. Precisely... "mainstream"

[AllexxisF1]

125. I am so laughing my ass off.

Good God could he be any more of a dumb ass, Jesus Christ.

I never liked the guy because he just reminds me of a used car salesman with that evil smile of his. This is just the funniest thing ever, and quite possibly the quickest run for President EVER.

[mark414]

126. what a dumb, white man

get a clue joe!

[bklyncowgirl]

127. Open mouth. Insert foot. Go Biden. nt

[Mass]

129. This article shows Biden's lack of character.

Most people have only seen the comment on Obama, which is obviously totally inadmissible.

But, in the same article, Biden agresses also the Clintons, Edwards, Kerry and Gore.

This is certainly the person I want to see as president for the next eight years:sarcasm:

[originalpckelly]

131. Well, this is Biden's Macaca moment and if I remember correctly...

he even said something about Indian Ocean Indians as well.

[Hardrada]

132. Call waiting to Senator Biden from Michael Richards

with some free advice on Apologies.

[Marie26]

139. He's jealous

He's running for PRESIDENT, and nobody cares. All he hears is "Obama, Obama, Obama." Biden's ego can't take that, so he proceeds to tear down Obama & the other "star" candidates in a catty fashion. I can't stand Biden - he's totally egotistical & loves to hear himself talk. During the Alito hearings, he used all his questions to give mini-campaign speeches instead. And if you don't appreciate his fabulousness, he'll back-stab right quick.

[BlueStater]

140. Only one day into his campaign and Biden has already screwed-up

He really ought to forget about running for president.

[RiverStone]

152. Biden just went from having a % .001 chance

Of winning the Presidency, to a %000 chance.

Great start Joe - racist remarks and whining about your DEM colleagues! :grr:

He might as well cancel his announcement.

[Bluebear]

157. .

.

[Bombtrack]

160. I hate Bidens Imus-club brand of unfunny douchebaggery

fuck you Joe, just fuck you, I look forward to your Lieberman-'04 type of primary failure.

[Pithlet]

165. It's more amazing to me that some people can't see how offensive that is.

I don't care who said that. That's awful. Personally, I'm willing to cut him some slack because of his recent aneurysm. It could very well be the reason such a horribly inappropriate comment came out of his mouth. But, I can fully understand the offense being taken.

[shawcomm]

172. "He can read and write and bathes once in a while. He's almost human."

That's the gist of it; he doesn't see black people as being on the same level of himself. Black people and I imagine most minorities all appear dirty to him, subhuman.

What a complete piece of shit.

[OneBlueSky]

177. congrats, Joe . . . quickest end to a presidential campaign EVER . . . n/t

.