Biden, Reversing Position, Says He Would Comply With Impeachment Subpoena

[gulliver]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by Omaha Steve (a host of the General Discussion forum).

FAIRFIELD, Iowa — Joseph R. Biden Jr. backtracked on Saturday from his stated position that he would not comply with a subpoena to testify in President Trump’s impeachment trial in the Senate. Instead, he declared that he would abide by “any subpoena that was sent to me” even as he insisted there was no justification for calling him as a witness.

A day after reaffirming that he would not comply with a subpoena, Mr. Biden tried twice on Saturday to clarify his remarks, asserting that there would be no “legal basis” for such a subpoena but left it unclear, for much of the day, if he would ultimately comply with one. Then, questioned by a voter about the issue of compliance with subpoenas, Mr. Biden answered unequivocally.

“I would obey any subpoena that was sent to me,” he said at a town hall-style event in Fairfield.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/28/us/politics/biden-subpoena-democrats.html

[DeminPennswoods]

1. Could hardly believe my own ears when

I heard him say he wouldn't obey a subpoena as it played right into Trump WH strategy of ordering its staff not to comply with congressional subpoenas. Glad he walked it back.

[Sherman A1]

3. Same here

I couldn’t believe the answer.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

16. I believe it if Joe said it...he's very honest in his answers. One of the things I do like about him

Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join the revolution!!

[SunSeeker]

2. Good. nt

[gab13by13]

4. Saying he wouldn't comply was dumb,

because there aren't going to be any witnesses.

[pwb]

6. Talks are under way for witnesses to testify?

Don't be so sure. The whole holding back the articles from the Senate. Yea that is our thing.

[Tipperary]

5. Thank goodness.

[Voltaire2]

7. This also is wrong.

The Senate can now make the trial all about Biden.

Who is advising him?

[justie18]

10. Exactly!

His response was so tone deaf, it gives me serious doubts about his ability to run an effective campaign in the GE against the likes of Trump.

[cwydro]

13. I've thought for a long time he's either getting bad advice or not listening to good advice.

All this “clarifying” and backtracking isn’t a good look.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

17. Joe has many advisors advising him; not sure which one this was, but should be let go.

Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join the revolution!!

[jalan48]

8. This could get really weird for Biden.

[gab13by13]

9. Why are Democrats still believing

that Republicans, Mitch McConnell are going to do the right thing?

Chuck Schumer is a good man but he is no Nancy Pelosi, there aren't going to be any witnesses. Negotiations are good for Republicans because they can claim that Democrats were too demanding.

Does anyone believe that a deal will be made for Hunter Biden to testify or for Joe Biden to testify in return for Mick Mulvaney or John Bolton? It's not going to happen.

[padah513]

14. +1000

Trump can talk trial all he wants but there's no way any of his people are going to testify. He wouldn't allow it for the house, he won't allow it for the senate. If he did the senate would be left with no choice but to remove him. So all this talk about it was a stupid thing for Biden to say or now the senate is going to make it all about Biden is just nonsense. If the pugs get one witness then we get one witness. It won't work any other way and the pugs don't want to do that.

[ms liberty]

11. This needs to be in the Primaries forum. n/t

[Joe941]

12. Flip flopping is Biden showing weakness imo.

[gab13by13]

15. It's better for him that he flip flopped.

Flip flopping doesn't seem to hurt Trump.

[Lexee]

18. Good answer. "I would obey any subpoena"

[aikoaiko]

19. That's encouraging. Witnesses don't get to decide whether they testify.

We can't condemn other witnesses for avoiding testifying and then do it ourselves.

The abuse of power charge is predicated upon the idea of there being no legitimate reason to ask Ukraine to investigate the Bidens involvement with Ukrainian affairs. They want to challenge the position that there was nothing wrong with the Bidens' involvement.

If there wasn't anything wrong, then Joe has nothing to worry about.

[Mc Mike]

20. I see it both ways, same as VP Biden, I think.

There's no reason in the world he should have to answer to the criminal wackjob Rump admin, for their insane lies, and the same goes for Senate and Congressional repugs' 'inquiries'.

But he could also kick their asses, in any q & a debate about the issues of public office, int'l relations, criminal conduct, etc.

[Omaha Steve]

21. After a review by forum hosts....LOCKING

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