Can you name something good Joe Biden has done?

[Vidal]

In light of the fact that anti-Biden forces are scraping the bottom of the barrel looking for things to attack him on, I thought maybe people could help me make a list of the good things he's done. Then we can compare the two sides of the ledger and see if he is worthy of being the Democratic Party standard-bearer.

Can you help me out here?

[BeyondGeography]

1. He wasted Paul Ryan's sorry ass in the veep debate

And forced Obama’s hand on marriage equality.

Not my choice but he’s a good guy who has done a lot for this country.

[FoxNewsSucks]

11. That was the best VP debate in history

I agree, he's a truly decent guy, just not my choice for Democratic nominee.

[Demsrule86]

2. violence against women act...huge...also cancer research and gay marriage he brought Pres.

Obama along on this issue...lots of other things too.

[hlthe2b]

4. Yes.. the above immediately come to mind

[Demsrule86]

9. He fought for that bill...drafted in 1990 and added to the crime bill.

[mtnsnake]

5. The VAWA act was good but it was part of his 1994 crime bill which is still haunting him to this day

because of the adverse affect the bill had on the excessive incarceration of minorities.

[Demsrule86]

8. Only with those who don't like him...first of all the Crime bill was federal and was abused no

doubt but it was a bill that attempted to fix crime...which was pretty bad...Sanders signed it too...so if it haunts Biden,it should haunt Sanders...but honestly I don't give two craps about old stuff...as for the VAWA...Biden started advocating for it in 1990. It was added to the Crime bill...One shouldn't believe all the posts that are trying to take Biden down...despite the fact he is our best hope to beat Trump.

"The enactment of VAWA 1994 culminated an effort begun in 1990 to draft and pass what became this landmark legislation. Vice President Joseph Biden, then Senator from Delaware, initiated this effort when he submitted to Congress a preliminary proposal to address the issue of violence against women, sparking a long-awaited national conversation about violence prevention and services. Working closely with the staff of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Legal Momentum (then NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund) brought experts and organizations together in the Task Force on the Violence Against Women Act to help draft and pass the legislation. This initial coalition has become the very large and diverse National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, which continues to collaborate to help draft and pass each VAWA reauthorization."

I am proud of these efforts and only haters would object.
https://www.legalmomentum.org/history-vawa

[LakeArenal]

28. Now that is a response. Thank You!

[Vidal]

17. thanks

those were all big things

[beachbum bob]

3. Bidens record easy to google, the biggest thing going for him? He brings

calm back to governing..

[Tribalceltic]

6. He supports women

In 1994, Biden drafted the Violence Against Women Act. This law provided $1.6 billion to enhance investigation and prosecution of the violent crime perpetrated against women, increased pre-trial detention of the accused, provided for automatic and mandatory restitution of those convicted, and allowed civil redress in cases prosecutors chose to leave unprosecuted.

[Vidal]

18. Good point

I think most women support Biden and know he's a good man. Quite a contrast to our current so-called president.

[FailureToCommunicate]

7. Biden was a big supporter of passing the ADA, Americans with Disability Act. Also...

over his many decades in Congress, Biden introduced 42 bills to Congress and cosponsored many more that were ultimately enacted into law. Many of these laws are dedicated to providing equal rights, and civil rights including the landmark Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA).

http://therespectabilityreport.org/2019/05/04/2020-presidential-campaign-joe-biden-disability/

[Vidal]

12. This is huge

This is one of the most important bills ever passed, in my opinion, because of the positive impact on tens of millions of Americans.

[FailureToCommunicate]

15. Yes, truly a landmark in civil rights legislation. But there were numerous others Biden

supported or sponsored.

[lark]

10. Yes, he pushed Obama into recognizing same sex marriages.

Obama was totally uncomfortable with this, didn't want to do it, but Joe pushed the issue. Thank you Joe, on behalf of my song and LGBT people everywhere.

[Vidal]

19. Didn't know that

thank you

[Blue_true]

30. Exactly. He made a public statement that sort of boxed President Obama into coming out

for same sex marriage.

[Hekate]

59. IIRC, the media tried to frame it as "yet another gaffe by Joe," but it was no gaffe...

There's a lot to love about Joe, and this is definitely one.

[yardwork]

46. This has had a hugely positive impact on my life and those of my children and wife.

[Otto Lidenbrock]

13. Chastised Reagan's Secretary of State about the administration's support for Apartheid regime

Reagan vetoed the Senate bill to sanction the Apartheid regime. Not long after this hearing and after Biden's speech the senate overturned the veto - the first and only time in the 20th century a presidential veto has been overridden.

[MaryMagdaline]

29. Thank you, Otto. This is great!

[nolabear]

14. Formed strong, respectful relationships with non-dictators.

World leaders urged him to run so we could have healthy relationships again.


https://www.newsweek.com/foreign-leaders-joe-biden-world-needs-you-president-1369364

[Vidal]

16. That's big too

Yes, I read about this a few months ago.

No other candidate has the foreign policy experience and credentials and relationships that Biden has.

And we need that to try to restore our standing the world after the Trump Debacle.

[yellowwoodII]

20. I Like Your Question

All I can say is that he seems like a real nice guy.

[Skya Rhen]

21. Yes, most people that I hear speak about Joe, tend to say that

he is a nice person. That’s the first trait that often comes to their mind.

The next comment that I often hear is that he is a strong person (after having dealt with so many tragedies in his life)...

[Blue_true]

31. He also has some milestone legislative accomplishments that HE authored. nt

[Skya Rhen]

35. He is a master legislator who was successful in getting meaningful and monumental laws enacted...

[yardwork]

47. Being a fundamentally decent and ethical person is important.

[progressoid]

22. Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act

That was great for all the credit card companies (cough cough... in Delaware), and banks and medical creditors and student loan holders, etc.

Not so much for the average American though.

[Vidal]

23. Right - that's on the other side

Not something good he did, but something bad. I'm trying to see the big picture and weigh the good against the bad.

[yardwork]

48. It's more nuanced than that.

[Jose Garcia]

24. Heaven forbid a Senator work for the interests of his constituents

[progressoid]

25. His constituents?

You mean corporations.

The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act is not helping his constituents. But it does help make billions for corporations. Delaware is a corporate haven. There are over a million corporations registered in Delaware. Over 50% of publicly traded corporations in the United States and 60% of the Fortune 500 are incorporated in Delaware.

Meanwhile, there are less than 1 million actual citizens in Delaware.

[Jose Garcia]

37. Many of those citizens work for banks

[Laura PourMeADrink]

39. That's exactly right. If you work for a corporation you realize that it's very naive to

Think everything about them is bad. Have things changed? Yes. More bottom line focused now. I blame a lot of that on the instant business news pressure to grow earnings. No one wants bad press.

Hope our candidates dig into what regulations trump has signed away. Bet it’s a goldmine of horrors.

[progressoid]

49. Sure. Corporations are people, my friend.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

50. Touche. Hard to describe what I mean. Maybe just all businesses are not 100% good nor

are they 100% bad.

[progressoid]

53. Sure, sure, sure.

I'm sure that law was written with the call center employees for Bank of America in mind.

[OKNancy]

56. It wasn't really that bad if you were lower income

In fact if you had income below the medium average of your state Chapter 7 pretty easy and all credit card debt and medical debt is discharged.
Above the average the bill tried to push people into Chapter 13.

Also there are deductions to lower your income and the income is also based on family size.

Also any retirement accounts are not considered income.

[Jarqui]

26. In addition to the many good deeds mentioned above:

I think he's the best VP of my lifetime.

He's been a class act, untainted by Washington money since he showed up in the 70s.

[LakeArenal]

32. I saw him speak last summer....

I knew then he would run and that I wanted him for President.

He exudes nice. He is nice looking and pleasant. He’s grateful, well spoken and likable.

He knows his stuff and can articulate it.

No drama Obama.. Well, same for Joe.

But above all, the world stage will welcome him with open arms. Leaders all over the world will breath freely again. And so will the USA.

[Skya Rhen]

33. A truly wonderful person, charismatic, admirable, knowledgeable and accomplished - the total package

[Freelancer]

34. He said "This is a big fucking deal" on national TV

He has good taste in RayBans

Likes Corvettes.

The hair plugs across the front top were a great choice.

[Vidal]

43. LOL

good ones!

[Poiuyt]

36. To me, this is huge:

[Laura PourMeADrink]

41. Thanks for digging that up. A pic tells a thousand words

[KayF]

58. +1

that's what Biden is like when no one's looking

[TreasonousBastard]

38. Lots of good answers in this thread-- many things I'd forgotten about. Personally I'm not...

impressed by talk of who can best beat Trump-- seems like a dead possum could beat Trump if it runs a decent campaign. Remember that Hillary won by millions of votes, just the wrong ones, and by now Trump has pretty well worn out whatever welcome he had.

But, as much as I do think it's time to let the next generation take over, there's plenty of time left for them.

If we put Biden in the White House, we will truly Make America Great Again.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

42. In a perfect world...but remember we still have TRussian election interference headwind to fight.

[Vidal]

44. "If we put Biden in the White House, we will truly Make America Great Again."

Thanks TB

[Laura PourMeADrink]

51. +1

[Laura PourMeADrink]

40. Biden is the polar opposite antithesis of trump!

Kind
Decent
Most experienced
Good relationship with world leaders
Been in White House
Loved by unions
Down to earth

Intangibles yet you couldn’t find a more immediately recognizable opposite to trump if you tried.

[Vidal]

45. Good points

I think you just explained why Biden is so far in front in the polls.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

52. I think it's just a time too where it's a perfect storm for a person like him. It's a feeling

That you get immediately...his pic in dictionary below decency.

The liberal guys on KLBJ last month were talking about election. They want Texas to turn blue. They said that the main reason people don’t like trump is his uncouth demeanor. He has no dignity. They said Dems don’t have to have any revolutionary policies in 2020. They just have to demonstrate that they are not trump. Of course this idea may win Texas, May not in more policy aware states.

[Sneederbunk]

54. Served as VP for 8 years without being a self-righteous dick.

[myohmy2]

55. I'll admit, Joe's a decent guy...

"...a list of the good things he's done. "

...for whom?

...Joe's a decent guy but I can't get past him voting for NAFTA and the 2005 bankruptcy bill...

...he's been round for 30+ years and had plenty of opportunities to champion the greatest of things...

...he was around and part of the deindustrialization of America and the decimation of Unions and the decimation of our middle-class...

...a good guy, a good establishment Democrat, but not for me...

...if he wins the nomination I'll vote for him, but like with Hillary, I won't be happy...

...

[Celerity]

57. He supports the public option on healthcare, which allows anyone to buy into Medicare if they so

choose, or keep their private insurance if that is the route they so desire. This is exactly were I stand on the issue, so that is a BIG plus for Biden with me.

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/441232-biden-calls-for-giving-everyone-the-choice-to-buy-into-medicare

"Whether you're covered through your employer or on your own or not, you all should have a choice to be able to buy into a public option plan for Medicare," Biden said in a speech in Pittsburgh, the first major address of his presidential campaign, which he announced last week.
"Your choice," Biden added. "And if the insurance company isn't doing the right thing by you, you should have another choice."

I would have added he supports a 4 year tuition free public university education, which is what he came out in favour of in 2015:

Biden Calls for 4 Years of Free College

https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/10/22/biden-calls-for-4-years-of-free-college

"I believe we have to level the playing field for the American people," Biden said. "And that's going to take access to education and opportunity to work."

"We need to commit to 16 years of free public education for all our children," he said, adding two years to the president's previous proposal of free community college for all.

"We all know that 12 years of public education is not enough," Biden continued. "As a nation, let's make the same commitment to a college education today that we made to a high school education a hundred years ago."

But unfortunately, he is now only saying that he will push for only making community college free, not a 4 year degree, and not even the first 2 years of the 4 year degree if those 2 years are not at a junior college. He even claims that this 'cuts the cost of a 4 year degree in half' but that is not entirely true at all.

You would be forced to go to a far less rigorous school (that may not even offer your major) just to get the savings, and IF millions of people did that, then that will strip the actual 4 year (and beyond, ie Masters and PhD-granting ones, etc) schools of massive tuition, which they will in turn make up for by RAISING tuition at those schools for those of us who do not want to go the community college route. Also, the community college infrastructure is simply not equipped to handle a massive influx of millions of new students.

Very disappointed he has backed off his 2015 stance. I truly hope he takes a further look at this. The average total cost of a public 4 year degree (in state) including all tuition, fees, room, board, and supplies is now over $100,000 gross. It has doubled in the last 11 or 12 years, so if that rate of increase continues, then we are looking at $200K total gross cost by 2031 or 2032. An eight year PhD at a top, prestigious, private school, in 2031 or 2032 or so, if they have the same rates of increase, will cost around $1.5 million gross when all expenses are included. That is utterly unsustainable.

[Vidal]

60. Those are good things; He knows how to pass laws

He seems more tempered than some other candidates, from the progressive wing.

What I like is he is not "promising the world" which is unrealistic.

Most of his proposals have a chance of becoming law some day, and he knows how Washington works.

[Celerity]

61. 1 good thing, as he flipped on the 4 year tuition free public uni

We could pay the tuition for all 15 million public community college and public university students for around one tenth of what we spend on the military/war/surveillance/security state each year. That is hardly 'pie in the sky', and it certainly was not considered pie in the sky by Biden himself when he proposed it in 2015. The ROI on that would be massive, it would drive the economy at a supercharger level from a multiplicity of data points. It also would free up the debt slaves that are now millions of student loan holders to spend money on tangible goods, (hell maybe even buy a house) instead of enriching rapacious banks and lending institutions. That would further drive the economy.


Because I took a swipe there, I will be fair add a big positive and say I do trust Biden in terms of temperament to run the nation in a calm manner (not just in comparison to that fucking monster Trump, I mean in any case).

[Hekate]

62. Thanks for encouraging the walk down memory lane, Vidal. Joe is one of the best we have...

As I said at the outset, when I put Kamala Harris's pic in my sig line and before Joe formally entered the race: I will have Joe's back.

Political campaigns in this country are bad enough with the GOP attacking and twisting everything decent. This board, though, can get really ugly as the cannibals wake up and incite as many as possible to eat our own. Most of us don't come here to reenact Lord of the Flies, so for them I repeat: Have Joe's Back.

[Vidal]

63. "I will have Joe's back."

Me too.

Well said.

[sarge43]

64. He had Barack Obama's back every day for eight years. n/t

[Vidal]

65. Good point

that was very important, and he did a great job.

[sarge43]

66. He did.

He made Obama's burden easier and that's is not a small contribution.

[Vidal]

67. I agree

nt