Biden urges unity, tells McConnell 'we really are friends'

[left-of-center2012]

President Biden on Thursday appealed for unity during the National Prayer Breakfast, which was held in-person for the first time in two years due to the coronavirus pandemic. The president's speech focused largely on the need for lawmakers and the nation as a whole to get to know one another and get past political divisions, which he called "palpable."

"Unity doesn’t mean we have to agree on everything, but unity is where enough of us believe in a core of basic things," Biden said. "The common good, the general welfare. A faith in the United States of America." Biden spoke for roughly 20 minutes, recalling his own time in the Senate and recognizing a number of senators who were in the room for the event.

"Mitch, I don’t want to hurt your reputation, but we really are friends," Biden said, addressing Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). "And that is not an epiphany we’re having at the moment. You’re a man of your word, you’re a man of honor. Thank you for being my friend.”

The Republican National Committee used the occasion of Biden's speech to attack his agenda, citing his pro-choice views and accusing him of infringing on religious liberty. "Americans of all faiths are going to vote to reject Biden’s extreme, divisive agenda at the ballot box this November," chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said in a statement.

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/592631-biden-urges-unity-in-remarks-at-prayer-breakfast

[lagomorph777]

1. Yikes.

I didn't think Biden could lie so blatantly.

[maxsolomon]

13. He retains his Senatorial skills

The Comity of the Senate requires hot air.

[lagomorph777]

14. Moscow Mitch is making a comedy of the Senate.

Joe should not be kissing his saggy ass anymore.

[maxsolomon]

15. The Senate has always been a sick joke.

I don't know why Biden would bother, either, but he is an Institutionalist to the core.

[CrackityJones75]

36. He isn't kissing his ass.

He is setting him up.

[Demsrule86]

37. Joe did not such thing.

[jimfields33]

21. Remember democratic senate only has 49 votes right now.

[lagomorph777]

22. 48

But kissing Moscow Mitch's ass won't fix that.

[Tickle]

31. I think he's talking

about senator Lujan of nm who had a stroke

[lagomorph777]

33. Oh, no!

I hope he recovers!

Just looked it up - expected to be back in 6 weeks.

Damn - that is really sad.

[Tickle]

34. his prognosis is

looking good but it's still a stroke. I wondered why it's been so quiet in the senate

[tman]

2. "You're a man of honor"

America is in deep, deep trouble.

[Demsrule86]

38. Really, it is call politics...a large number of Americans want the parties to get along and do

stuff. Joe ran on this so it is a smart political move but those who really do dislike Biden can't help themselves in this situation...

[FoxNewsSucks]

3. WTF????

" You’re a man of your word, you’re a man of honor. Thank you for being my friend. "

Has he missed the things Moscow Mitch has said and done? Years of backstabbing, conniving and cheating?

Does he somehow have the totally wrong idea that Moscow Mitch will now be nice and start playing fair???

How the hell could he say something like that!

[Takket]

10. It is just politics. Don't put too much stock in it.

Just extending an olive branch to make Mitch look bad if he won’t compromise.

[FoxNewsSucks]

26. That's a good idea, but

complimenting the honor of Moscow Mitch like that was laying it on WAY too thick.

[MurrayDelph]

12. Well, it does no good to tell the truth

Last edited Thu Feb 3, 2022, 04:36 PM - Edit history (1)

"Mitch, you're a lying, scheming, two-faced shitweasel. I can't trust you as far as I can throw you, which I'd like empirically test while standing on the edge of a cliff. Now, let's make some laws that'll actually help people."

[FoxNewsSucks]

44. The truth of that might be a refreshing shock

Most people think politicians are weaselly ass-kissers anyway. One thing that helped MF45 in the 2016 primary was that he got up there and told the truth about the other scumbag republicons during those debates.

Moscow Mitch often announces, or at least doesn't deny, the sleazy tactics he will be using. So when Biden said that he "does what he says" should have been sufficient politeness.

But how many people who pay little attention to politics heard that and now wrongly think McConnell must not be too bad, Biden says he's a "man of honor". That should not have been said.

[obamanut2012]

24. Seriously? This is brilliant

[uponit7771]

4. Moscow Mitch doesn't believe in unity or general welfare or common good. There's few to no acts in

... his recent past of supporting Putin's Whore that says that.

He's party over country, if the country fell apart and republicans stayed a political party he'd be fine with that.

Fuck Moscow Mitch

[dalton99a]

5. Moscow Mitch's reputation

[samsingh]

6. great sentiment. But moscow mitch is an enemy who would destroy democracy

i don't think he's a friend. Lenningrad lindsay didn't let a former friendship stand in his way of becoming a traitor to the country

[ProudMNDemocrat]

7. Joe is quoting Shakespeare.

Never under estimate Joe Biden. He knows exactly what he is saying when it comes to Mitch McConnell.

In William Shakespeare's JULIUS CAESAR, Marc Antony pays tribute to the slain Caesar and refers to Brutus as "an honorable man", knowing full well how ruthless Brutus was in plotting the assassination of Caesar.

We all know what happened to Brutus. He ended up falling on his sword. It is only a matter of time when McConnell falls on his.

[Tickle]

32. He's like 150 years old

the falling of Mitch has probably come and gone

[Dirty Socialist]

8. Biden Buttering Up Mitch?

I’m guessing Biden has something in mind.

[left-of-center2012]

9. "You're a man of your word, you're a man of honor."

[Tickle]

35. i'm no longer

hungry.

[FloridaBlues]

11. Biden is being very diplomatic in that statement.

[Autumn]

16. No. We really aren't friends. This needs to stop.

[Demsrule86]

39. Wow, you don't like something Biden does...why I am so not surprised.

[Autumn]

41. Why I am so not surprised you are responding to me

My opinion. Don't like it? Scroll on by, be an adult.

[Demsrule86]

45. I enjoy responding to you Autumn and once in a blue moon...we agree.

[Autumn]

48. You be sure and let me know how these Republicans will want to be friends when

they take contriol of the senate and the house.

[Demsrule86]

52. Autumn...they don't want to be friends clearly. We merely want to make sure they get blamed for

not wanting to be friends...as for the midterms, I am not giving up...hopefully, our redistricting efforts in blue states will help us hold the House. I am hoping we gain one or two Senators...going to work my ass off for sure.

[Autumn]

55. Then let's don't pretend they are friends or even want to be friends.

[Demsrule86]

59. The point is to place the blame on them while we look like we tried...

[Autumn]

62. I don't play games and I don't pat anyone on the back who does.

[DiamondShark]

63. Your avatar clearly disagrees with that statement. n/t

[Cha]

66. Mahalo for Explaining that

so patiently, Dems!

PJB knows what he's doing even if some others don't get it.

[Rob H.]

67. Wild how people seem to have forgotten

that McConnell obstructed everything he possibly could for the entirety of Obama's time in office. They don't call him "The Gravedigger of Democracy" for nothing.

[nolabear]

17. Joe is exactly what a president should be. A leader for ALL the people.

We can be mean, angry, divisive, do all the things we despise the right (and the lunatic right) for doing, because we’re just citizens. Joe Biden was elected by one party but is the president of the entire country. He needs to stay his course, keep his word, govern according to his principles, and absolutely leave the door open for McConnell or anyone else to cooperate with our agenda. Will they? Doubtful. But it needs to be on them if they don’t.

I’m proud of the man.

[demtenjeep]

23. this

1000000000000%

[Demsrule86]

40. Thank you nolabear...exactly right...how are you feeling?

[nolabear]

56. Good! We're all doing great. 🤞🏻

Hope you are too!

[Demsrule86]

58. Thanks we are buried in several feet of snow here in the Cleveland area of Ohio...

but have lights and don't have to go to work! So we are just fine.

[nolabear]

60. It's the little things...stay warm and dry.

[Bettie]

18. Oh, I hope he knows that Mitch isn't

anyone's friend.

I suspect he does and just needed to say it.

[Bayard]

19. President Biden knows exactly what McConnell is

From years in the Senate with the man.

I think he's trying the--Walk softly and carry a big stick approach.

[UTUSN]

20. Joe, how many times has Turtle fooled-ya?!

[SamKnause]

25. McConnell is not a man of his word or a man of honor.

There are numerous clips that prove this.

I could never be a politician.

I don't think people should compliment enemies of the United States.

Has Biden forgotten how McConnell treated Obama ???

Does he not know how McConnell is instructing the fascists party to veto everything that Biden is trying to accomplish ???

[aocommunalpunch]

27. This does nothing to harm McConnell or Republicans whatsoever.

It only irritates your own base. It's not smart politics.

[DLevine]

28. +1

[XanaDUer2]

29. Agreed

The praise is a bit too much.

[Demsrule86]

42. It is politics and it is smart as a large number of voters want the fighting stop and help sent to

the American people ...and no offense but I question if who you consider the 'base' is the base. I personally consider myself the base. I vote Democratic always, work every election, and can be counted on to be a loyal Democrat. I would never vote for any third party nor threaten it if I didn't get everything I wanted.

[FoxNewsSucks]

46. Telling the public that someone like Moscow Mitch is a

"Man of Honor" is not smart, it's a mistake.

Remember that next time you tell someone that republicons are the problem and they come back with "but Biden says they're honest and honorable".

He could have done the professional "politeness" thing without saying that.

[Demsrule86]

47. And then when Mitch fucks us over as he probably will...it is on them. Biden attempted to work

them and they would obstruct. That won't get us hardcore GOP voters but it will work in the middle where elections are won and lost. Biden ran on unity and simply can't attack the GOP...I would suggest his best attitude is one of deep disappointment in their failure to send help to the American people with bipartisan legislation. Many here crave a fight but that won't help us with the midterm.

[Voltaire2]

30. Learned nothing from this same strategy

used by the Obama administration. Sigh.

[Demsrule86]

49. What should Obama have done? I would suggest that once he was stabbed in the back by some

on our side during the mid-term which we lost badly. Those who message voted to show how pissed they were that there was no public option; never mind the votes were not there oh no, it was all Pres. Obama's fault or so they said (not true of course).

There was nothing President Obama could have done. And that was on us. We should have all had his back...he was never a 'used car salesmen'...yes this was actually posted on DU. And in 14, the same folks helped us lose the Senate and in effect a SCOTUS pick. President Obama didn't deserve the attacks he endured during his tenure and certainly does not deserve to be attacked now.

[Voltaire2]

54. He should have stopped pretending that

“bipartisanship” existed. The whole ‘we take the high road’ nonsense has done nothing other than make our party and our leaders appear weak.

[Demsrule86]

61. How would that have made any difference? It wouldn't have. President Obama was a great

President and miraculously got us health care...we should have had his back. You want 'strong' leaders and great policy, then send our leaders more Democrats. We don't have the numbers right now.

[Hotler]

43. Joe, he's not your friend. They are not our friends either. It's time to realize this

and move on, times have changed. It's past time to shun these fuckers.

[Demsrule86]

51. And how does that help us exactly? The right would merely use it as evidence that we are obstructing

[WhiskeyGrinder]

50. Yeah we're kinda way past this my dude

[Crunchy Frog]

53. I believe that ship has already sailed. There's no possibility of unity at this point.

I don't know that McConnell is even capable of having a friend, though I guess he knows how to fake it.

[harumph]

57. expert gaslighting.

yes means no - no means yes

[dwayneb]

65. Trying the old guilt trip tactic

That might work on your kids, praising them for some desired behavior so that they feel guilty when they disobey.

But Satan's Spawn Mitch McConnell has not felt guilt for 50 years. I get Biden's tactic but it's not going to work on that old reprobate. I guess it might be useful to show the general audience that he is willing to "work across the aisle".

But we all know that this is NEVER going to happen with Republicans while Drumpf is at the helm.