The Troublesome Tara Reade Story

[swag]

https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/tara-reade-joe-biden-democrats/

Joan Walsh

Excerpt:

. . .Biden was not my primary candidate. I went so far as to say on CNN that he shouldn’t run, and here at The Nation that his behavior toward women was virtually disqualifying. (I also predicted he wouldn’t win the nomination, so what do I know. Though he was not my choice, he won it, and I’ll support him.)

Bernie Sanders wasn’t my top choice either, but I trust his integrity. I find it hard to imagine that if Sanders believed Biden was a rapist, he’d have enthusiastically endorsed him on Monday. (Elizabeth Warren followed Sanders today.)

Most troubling to me about this whole story—besides Reade’s obvious pain over whatever happened—is the way folks on the left are using it to smear feminists and Democrats who have a hard time believing her charge. “For Elite Democrats, Joe Biden’s Candidacy Means Ditching #MeToo,” Liza Featherstone wrote in Jacobin. (I guess that now includes Sanders.) When I watched a video of the Sanders endorsement on his site late Monday, dozens of rolling on-screen commenters called Biden a “rapist.” That’s repugnant. (Now that the mainstream media has investigated Reade’s claims, Jacobin, predictably, finds the coverage lacking.)

It’s true, for a time, that one of the slogans that emerged from the nascent #MeToo movement was “Believe women.” But it was never that simple; nobody ever said, or meant, “Believe every woman, no matter how incredible or undocumented her claim.” The point was to give women’s accounts of sexual assault a fair and respectful hearing: first, hopefully, by police; or, if she made her claim to the media, by reporters.

Reporters have done just that with Tara Reade. Her allegation against Biden doesn’t stand up to close scrutiny. And bullying by the left or right won’t change that.

[Historic NY]

1. So what was Joan Walsh's reason to regurgitate the story?

[swag]

2. Read the article and find out.

[Historic NY]

3. I did .

[swag]

4. Good job.

[OnDoutside]

5. "his behavior toward women was virtually disqualifying" Wow.

[Warpy]

6. While we'd love to believe women, period, there are problems with this

She filed a police report that failed to name her "attacker." Apparently, none of this has risen to the level of a crime, or one would expect her to have named the perp so that charges could be filed and a prosecution could take place.

This is another attempt to Franken a Democrat out of office or out of the running. I can't speak to her motives, apparently she has been a Biden staffer. I just find her story, her generic police report, and the timing just a little too convenient.

I think this gal needs to be told to file a real police report or bugger off. Being a little too handsy, as Biden has been accused of before, doesn't necessarily rise to the level of sexual battery from any of the accounts I've seen. They're just annoying to women who feel afraid to tell him to keep his hands to himself. Ending that "nice girl" reticence is what will end the behavior, not bogus police reports or media smears.

Besides, I'm not hiring him to date the daughter I don't have. I'm going to hire him to fix the godawful mess Dumbass has created.

[The Magistrate]

7. Well Said, Sir

"Defeat of a hated enemy is something to be for."

[Historic NY]

8. With DC Metro police that had no jurisdiction on Capitol Hill...

[Lady_Chat]

9. Trump has his own problem with women, guess that will have to be brought up now too.

Except we already know his supporters could care less. I'm sticking by Joe, no more Frankens. Let this woman take it to court and prove it after the election.

[SunSeeker]

11. Reade wrote, "President Putin has an alluring combination of strength with gentleness.

"His sensuous image projects his love for life, the embodiment of grace while facing adversity.” 
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/tara-reade-joe-biden-democrats/

I'm thinking Reade has issues with reality.

[PJMcK]

12. Written by a woman, no less!

The most damning part of the article is mid-way through where Ms. Walsh wrote:

In his closely documented, almost 50-year career, there have been no other similar claims against Biden. The Times interviewed the other seven women who came out last year to accuse Biden of touching them against their will; none said his behavior crossed the line to sexual assault. After many dozen interviews, with Reade and her friends, along with lawyers and two dozen Biden staffers, the writers concluded: “The Times found no pattern of sexual misconduct by Mr. Biden.” Men who do what Reade says Biden did tend to do it more than once (see Harvey Weinstein, Jeffrey Epstein, and Donald Trump). Also, once an allegation like Reade’s surfaces, others usually follow. They have not, at least so far.

Joe Biden is not a serial groper or rapist as are Trump and Weinstein. Ms. Reade's story, unlike those of so many other women's experiences, is just not credible. Given the decades of time, the lack of a consistent story and the curious timing of her "revelation," she isn't believable.

[Steven Maurer]

13. Evidence Casts Doubt on Tara Reade's Sexual Assault Allegations of Joe Biden

Evidence Casts Doubt on Tara Reade’s Sexual Assault Allegations of Joe Biden

UPDATE 4/2/20: We were able to contact a longtime friend of Reade’s who wished to remain anonymous, but they said they “do not believe her allegations,” claiming she has always been one to seek attention. Note: We reached out to Ms. Reade for comment but she refused.

....


Read it all.