Jump to content

Former Vice President Biden launches White House bid as Democrat frontrunner


snoop1130

Recommended Posts

Former Vice President Biden launches White House bid as Democrat frontrunner

By John Whitesides and James Oliphant

 

800x800.jpg

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former Vice President Joe Biden, a moderate who has made his appeal to working-class voters that deserted the Democrats in 2016 a key part of his political identity, launched a bid for the White House on Thursday as the party's instant frontrunner.

 

Biden announced the third presidential bid of his career by video on YouTube and other social media. He is expected to make his first public appearance as a candidate on Monday at an event in Pittsburgh featuring union members, a key constituency.

 

Biden, 76, had been wrestling for months over whether to run. His candidacy will face numerous questions, including whether he is too old and too centrist for a Democratic Party yearning for fresh faces and increasingly propelled by its more vocal liberal wing.

 

Still, he starts as the leader of the pack in opinion polls of a Democratic field that now will total 20 contenders seeking the chance to challenge President Donald Trump, the likely Republican nominee, in November 2020.

 

Critics say his standing in polls is largely a function of name recognition for the former U.S. senator from Delaware, whose more than four decades in public service includes eight years as President Barack Obama's No. 2 in the White House.

 

As speculation about his bid mounted, Biden faced new questions about his longtime propensity for touching and kissing strangers at political events, with several women coming forward to say he had made them feel uncomfortable.

 

Biden struggled in his response to the concerns, at times joking about his behaviour. But ultimately, he apologised and said he recognised standards for personal conduct had evolved in the wake of the #MeToo movement.

 

Trump and his allies seized on the flap, attempting to weaken perhaps his top rival before Biden entered the race.

 

Even so, Biden was determined to push forward, arguing his background, experience and resume best positioned him to take on Trump next year.

In a speech to union members in April, Biden called Trump a "tragedy in two acts."

 

"This country can’t afford more years of a president looking to settle personal scores," he said.

 

Biden's candidacy will offer early hints about whether Democrats are more interested in finding a centrist who can win over the white working-class voters who went for Trump in 2016, or someone who can fire up the party's diverse progressive wing, such as Senators Kamala Harris of California, Bernie Sanders of Vermont or Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.

 

Biden's long history in the Senate, where he was a leading voice on foreign policy, will give liberal activists plenty to criticize. As Senate Judiciary Committee chairman, he angered women's rights activists with his handling of sexual harassment allegations against Clarence Thomas during the justice's 1991 Supreme Court confirmation hearings.

 

He also has been criticized for his ties to the financial industry, which is prominent in his home state of Delaware, and for his authorship of a 1994 crime act that led to increased incarceration rates.

 

Biden has been one of the party's more aggressive Trump critics. Last year, he said he would "beat the hell" out of Trump if the two were in high school because of the way the president has talked about women. That prompted Trump to call him "Crazy Joe Biden" and claim on Twitter that Biden would "go down fast and hard, crying all the way" if they fought.

 

Biden later lamented the exchange, saying "I shouldn't get down in the mosh pit with this guy."

 

Known for his verbal gaffes on the campaign trail, Biden failed to gain traction with voters during his previous runs in 1988 and 2008.

 

He dropped his 1988 bid amid allegations he plagiarized some of his stump oratory and early academic work. But his experience and strong debate performances in 2008 impressed Obama enough that he tapped Biden as his running mate.

 

Biden decided against a 2016 presidential bid after a lengthy public period of indecision as he wrestled with doubts about whether he and his family were ready for a gruelling campaign while mourning his son Beau, who died of brain cancer in May 2015. His son had urged him to run.

 

Biden faced some of the same family considerations this time around, as he is still coping with Beau's death while his other son, Hunter, has gone through a divorce amid a reported relationship with Beau's widow.

 

reuters_logo.jpg

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-04-25

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 297
  • Created
  • Last Reply

 

9 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Biden struggled in his response to the concerns, at times joking about his behaviour. But ultimately, he apologised and said he recognised standards for personal conduct had evolved in the wake of the #MeToo movement.

With all due respect, that's a bunch of malarkey

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Unless the Democrats can find someone with a bit more panache and charisma than the current nominees then they are not going to get anywhere against Trump. Biden, a nice gentleman (maybe) dignified etc but about as exciting and inspirational as dog turd.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Unless the Democrats can find someone with a bit more panache and charisma than the current nominees then they are not going to get anywhere against Trump. Biden, a nice gentleman (maybe) dignified etc but about as exciting and inspirational as dog turd.
Spoken by a republican? Actually Biden can fire up crowds.

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Spoken by a republican? Actually Biden can fire up crowds.

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

No, I am not from the US. I am sure he can whip up an element of the crowd, but a 76 year old who has been around the scene for years and years, nah not for me, he won't get enough, no way.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No, I am not from the US. I am sure he can whip up an element of the crowd, but a 76 year old who has been around the scene for years and years, nah not for me, he won't get enough, no way.
He'd be running against someone much more decrepit that has not been able to expand his white nationalist base one bit and doesn't even try. I really like Biden's chances!

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

He'd be running against someone much more decrepit that has not been able to expand his white nationalist base one bit and doesn't even try. I really like Biden's chances!

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

Quick recap of the dem 2020 candidates. Klobuchar - abusive to her staff. Warren - appropriation of a minority culture to further her career. Harris - rode her way to the top, unacceptable in the #metoo age. Biden, seriously creepy sniffing of females hair and general sexual inappropriateness. Beto - Irishman pretending to be Mexican, seems inappropriate for many reasons. Buttegieg - potential travel delays in Brunei, Saudi Arabia and other nations, probably not a good choice unless you can keep him on US soil.

 

 I would field Clinton again, worth it for the comedy value alone. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, TopDeadSenter said:

Quick recap of the dem 2020 candidates. Klobuchar - abusive to her staff. Warren - appropriation of a minority culture to further her career. Harris - rode her way to the top, unacceptable in the #metoo age. Biden, seriously creepy sniffing of females hair and general sexual inappropriateness. Beto - Irishman pretending to be Mexican, seems inappropriate for many reasons. Buttegieg - potential travel delays in Brunei, Saudi Arabia and other nations, probably not a good choice unless you can keep him on US soil.

 

 I would field Clinton again, worth it for the comedy value alone. 

I'm sure you would.

You didn't mention Sanders. I think he took himself out of the race saying he wants to give voting rights to violent felons still in prison. I'm not unhappy about that as I think he'd be too easy to red bait anyway.

Yes the democrat primary race is going to be intense. The result can't be predicted.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I saw an analysis yesterday on the BBC that summarised the state of play as 2 old white men leading the field to battle it out with another old white man. The analyst reckoned that Biden's and Sanders's poll ratings (both in the 20s) were as good as they were going to get. A supposedly inclusive Democrat party would ultimately have to reject these 2 and other candidates (all currently polling in single digits) would emerge. But which ones? That will be the interesting part. I'll guess Kamala Harris; she's a PILF. ????

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, champers said:

I saw an analysis on the BBC that summarised the state of play as 2 old white men leading the field to battle it out with another old white man. The analyst reckoned that Biden's and Sanders's poll ratings (both in the 20s) were as good as they were going to get. A supposedly inclusive Democrat party would ultimately have to reject these 2 and other candidates (all currently polling in single digits) would emerge. But which ones? That will be the interesting part.

Nah. I think Biden can easily get at least 30 percent in most primaries. That will be enough to win most primaries and maybe the nomination. Or alternatively, the convention is going to be a real humdinger!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 minutes ago, Longcut said:

Sure. Age 14 and under. 

I don't know what constituency you think that kind of garbage will play with but again, his touchy feely thing is not going to be a big issue for Biden. It's a given that the "trump" hard core base will always be with him no matter what. Yes, write them off.  His base is just too small, he doesn't grow it, so he's quite vulnerable his only chance is what he's doing -- white nationalist demagoguery and a play to win via the electoral college again with a minority of votes. Running against Biden, pulling that off will become much more difficult as Biden really is loved in the rust belt states.

 

Honestly I don't know if Biden will be nominated. He has a good chance, better than anyone else running. If he is nominated, he will be an even stronger candidate against the one who must be defeated. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

56 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

Quick recap of the dem 2020 candidates. Klobuchar - abusive to her staff. Warren - appropriation of a minority culture to further her career. Harris - rode her way to the top, unacceptable in the #metoo age. Biden, seriously creepy sniffing of females hair and general sexual inappropriateness. Beto - Irishman pretending to be Mexican, seems inappropriate for many reasons. Buttegieg - potential travel delays in Brunei, Saudi Arabia and other nations, probably not a good choice unless you can keep him on US soil.

 

 I would field Clinton again, worth it for the comedy value alone. 

Wow, those are some serious character flaws you have listed, especially considering the moral and intellectual beacon they'll be running against!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So many posters I’ve never seen before???anyway good to see an experienced stable decent centerest make a play just the right person to get the ship of state back on course just the guy to start repairing our damaged reputation on the world stage hope he picks Harris or warren as vp if they are willing make no mistakes he is ont tough dude and just the person to put Donald were he belongs

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Most ill-suited candidate.

Opposes single-payer healthcare

Opposes cannabis legalization

Supports the death penalty

Wrote the 1994 crime bill

Voted for DOMA

Voted for NAFTA

Voted for Iraq War

Voted for PATRIOT Act

Voted to make it harder to eliminate student debt 

 

 

 
 
 
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

I'm sure you would.

You didn't mention Sanders. I think he took himself out of the race saying he wants to give voting rights to violent felons still in prison. I'm not unhappy about that as I think he'd be too easy to red bait anyway.

Yes the democrat primary race is going to be intense. The result can't be predicted.

 

Ya think? lol That clip of him would be played over and over and then over again. Crazy Bernie is done.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, Tug said:

So many posters I’ve never seen before???anyway good to see an experienced stable decent centerest make a play just the right person to get the ship of state back on course just the guy to start repairing our damaged reputation on the world stage hope he picks Harris or warren as vp if they are willing make no mistakes he is ont tough dude and just the person to put Donald were he belongs

Warren not likely, but Harris definitely possible. Yes, he will need to pick a woman. That will be a must. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, Cryingdick said:

 

Ya think? lol That clip of him would be played over and over and then over again. Crazy Bernie is done.

Yes, I think. Glad to see we agree on something. He had a real shot but you have to wonder if he really wanted it now. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, Kasane said:

Old farts don't run out of gas.

Im not ever bitching about a candidate being too old. If someone is going to tell me what to do, its an old man, not some screechy trendy young socialist.

 

My fav is Cory Booker. Grew up in Old Tappan NJ (totally hoity toity), Yale, Oxford....truly a voice for the dispossed. Another silver spooner oozing hypocrisy. But he is nailing that PR actress Rosie, so maybe I would vote for him. Myabe. If he ditches the socialism

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, Kasane said:

Most ill-suited candidate.

Opposes single-payer healthcare

Opposes cannabis legalization

Supports the death penalty

Wrote the 1994 crime bill

Voted for DOMA

Voted for NAFTA

Voted for Iraq War

Voted for PATRIOT Act

Voted to make it harder to eliminate student debt 

 

 

 
 
 

I'm not going to vet all those, but yes he's going to need to do a lot of fancy dancing to make it to the nomination. No doubt. I think his opening video said exactly what needs to be said. This is about the soul of the nation. White nationalist American style fascism or back to some semblance of normal democracy and he's the man to take out the villain. Yes, he has a strong case.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

15 minutes ago, Nyezhov said:

So could Trotsky

And so can Trump and the fact that that complete moron is able to fire up anything beyond the locker room of a particularly dimwitted football team is beyond crazy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, Becker said:

And so can Trump and the fact that that complete moron is able to fire up anything beyond the locker room of a particularly dimwitted football team is beyond crazy.

Just how FAR right wing do you need to be to compare Joe Biden with Trotsky! The mind boggles. 

 

Let's get real, Joe Biden is the first real SOMEBODY to enter the democratic race. It's hard to beat a SOMEBODY with someone less than that. Sanders is sort of a somebody but he just committed election suicide. "trump" is a big orange somebody. Biden's case will be we need to run a somebody against him. It's a good argument. Historically it's hard to beat any incumbent even more so if the economy is good or OK. Best chance of WINNING can be compelling. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.





×
×
  • Create New...