Joe Biden Can't Get Any Respect

[highplainsdem]

https://www.nationaljournal.com/s/702603?unlock=OTPZN0JH4NRUTHBE

Based on the news of the last week, you’d think Joe Biden’s presidential bid was on life support. Two center-left Democrats have floated last-minute candidacies amid the donor class panicking over the state of Biden’s campaign. The conventional wisdom is that Biden’s candidacy needs to be saved in South Carolina, given how far expectations have fallen in the three other early states.

But a funny thing happened amid all the establishment angst. The latest round of early-state polls shows Biden ahead in three of the four states: New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina. Biden is building momentum (and a double-digit lead) in Nevada, benefiting from a progressive split in New Hampshire, and thoroughly dominating in his firewall of South Carolina. His weakest state is Iowa, but a new Monmouth poll showed him in second place and within the margin of error of the lead. Even his worst polls in the state place him squarely within a front-running four-candidate pack.

If anyone needs to be worried about alarming trend lines, it’s Elizabeth Warren. Her tortured explanation for how she’d pay for a government-run health care system was widely panned by the press. A reputable battery of battleground state polls underscores that she’s the least electable contender and threatens to jeopardize the Democrats’ hard-won gains in the suburbs. And a revived Bernie Sanders, boosted by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s endorsement and rallies on his behalf, is cutting into Warren’s support. Her national and early-state polling has dipped a bit in the last few weeks as she’s faced scrutiny for the first time in a while.

Meanwhile, Biden turned in one of his strongest campaign performances Monday night in Iowa at a nationally televised town hall. He showed command of the issues, displayed empathy when discussing his own personal tragedy, and deftly hit Warren over her unrealistic policies and elitist attitude. If Pete Buttigieg became a media sensation following his own CNN town hall earlier this year, Biden may find his own improved showing will revive his fortunes.

The math for Biden is a lot simpler than that of his rivals. A win or stronger-than-expected showing in either Iowa or New Hampshire would cement his standing as the front-runner. And even if Biden doesn’t notch a win, anything short of a political collapse should allow him to make a comeback in the more-diverse Nevada caucuses and South Carolina primary. Put simply, Biden has more paths to victory of any of the candidates. Warren, Sanders, and Buttigieg can ill afford any such early-state setbacks.

-snip-

More, on the weaknesses of Biden's rivals, in the rest of this column.

[TidalWave46]

1. I personally thought Biden was going to be on a downward trajectory by this point.

I stated that here on this board and thought it was a good call. I couldn't have been more wrong. The guy has staying power. I think that is reflective of the base supporting him and the respect he has built over the decades. That and many many people don't want to fuck with a novelty this time around.

The beauty of me being wrong is that I love Biden. I'm very happy I was wrong. If Biden was going down it would have happened withing the last one to two months. It just hasn't happened.

As for some of the other candidates getting in they are doing it for a different reason in my opinion. Bloomberg can bring Warren down all on his own. I don't think he is getting in because he thinks Biden is weak. I think he is getting in to do something Biden isn't willing to do. End Warrens campaign.

[highplainsdem]

5. I remember lots of predictions before Biden announced that he wouldn't run, and then

countless predictions of his demise as soon as he announced.

There were predictions he'd lose his lead in the polls as soon as people were focusing on him as a candidate.

When that didn't happen, there were predictions he'd lose his lead in the polls with the first debate.

When that didn't happen, there were predictions he'd lose his lead as soon as he was on the same debate stage as Warren.

That didn't happen, but there are still endless opinion pieces on his campaign faltering. I've even seen it called a "zombie" campaign.

I saw someone on Twitter predict the other day that as soon as Biden clinches the nomination, we'll see people asking, "How soon will Joe Biden be replaced as the nominee?"

It's both laughable and infuriating.

It's also damaging to the Demcratic Party's chances of winning the GE, so I wish those attacking Biden for no good reason would start considering the good of the party and the country, and not just their own preferred rival candidates.

[Otto Lidenbrock]

10. In 2016

I saw someone on Twitter predict the other day that as soon as Biden clinches the nomination, we'll see people asking, "How soon will Joe Biden be replaced as the nominee?"

I saw people make that exact same comment for Hillary with many wanting Biden to replace her. Then it turned out Donna Brazile had actually considered doing that.

[emmaverybo]

26. An important post. Thank you. Biden-envy and a fevered desire to move the party, the country,

the lamp post to the left have overtaken good sense. Many of us not only support Biden because we feel he is the candidate with the best chance to beat Trump, but because he is the best candidate.

[Demsrule86]

13. I have thought the same thing...he fears a loss with Warren and also just doesn't support her

policy ideas. Joe won't attack her...a fellow Democrat. But Bloomberg will not have any hesitation.

[LakeArenal]

2. Also:

Joe Biden is the most qualified both nationally and globally.
Funny that a candidate so well liked by the entire world has media downplaying his chances.

[snowybirdie]

3. I seem to remember

Hillary Clinton was named most admired woman in America for several years in a row. Until she ran for president and the demonization started on rw media. Same thing happening here for Joe Biden. We can't let them do this again!

[emmaverybo]

27. Exactly.

[ritapria]

4. Biden has the easiest Path to the nomination

Get over 20% in Iowa , Ditto for NH , Win NV and SC …...Then sweep the Southern States and do credibly well elsewhere on Super Tuesday - particularly CA...…… It's far from a done deal but Biden is the clear favorite ……...I've never understood why the pundits and Mike Bloomberg believe his candidacy is about to collapse ………..As a Bernie supporter I would like to his numbers fall but it does not appear that this is going to happen anytime soon …. .

[beastie boy]

6. The latecomers to the Democratic race is not about speculatuons of Biden's collapse

It's all about lining themselves up for the VP position.

From this perspective, I would suggest they are betting on Biden being nominated, not Biden losing ground.

[Thekaspervote]

7. Agree about Deval, maybe not Bloomberg

Great endorsements and poll numbers are really mounting in his favor, and yes things like his town hall help. But I believe the more he is out their the more voters see a likable, experienced leader that will start on day one to fix the pile of crap dotard left behind

[flamingdem]

8. Biden for the win!

Good things are getting vetted. Too bad for Warren that Sanders didn't drop out.

[BeyondGeography]

9. Apparently, many of his peers don't respect his position in the primary either

Unless you call Mike Bloomberg, Deval Patrick talking about getting in the race and Hillary Clinton telling us many, many, many people are asking her to get in the race a sign of respect. I think they're nuts to get in at this late point but these are the same level of folks who interact with the media a lot and I'm sure it has an effect there too.

[Demsrule86]

14. They got into the race to make Warren lose ...and have already started on the attacks...so no

They want to make absolutely sure she doesn't win and they both have presidential fever...I know you want this to be true about Biden being weak, but it is not so. Also, I think Deval would like to be VP...he won't though...it will be Stacy Abrams or some other person we have not considered. Biden will choose wisely I have little doubt of that.

[BeyondGeography]

17. Lol...so the latecomer buzz is all about making the world safe for Joe

so they can be rewarded with a VP pick?

[Demsrule86]

18. Partly...I am sure it is also ambition...after seeing how well Biden is doing, they think hey I can

do that too. They won't but I think there presence intentional or not will help not hurt Biden.

[Celerity]

19. I agree with all of this except Patrick is deffo (as I have been a lone voice saying for months)

in the running for VP. I, like you, still think Abrams is a VP front runner (again I have been saying thsi since March or so), whether the nominee is Biden (most likely) or Pete (less likely but IF he did win it is almost 100% sure he picks Abrams for his VP.) Cedric Richmond is also in the Biden VP mix IMHO. I do not think he goes with Susan Rice, as that (very unfairly) opens up the Benghazi RW CT shite and I see Biden as being risk-adverse, which is why I also doubt he picks Pete (would LOVE to be surprised on that.)

[pfeiffer]

11. Thank you for posting!

Excellent article! I too thought (and am reading) that Joe did wonderfully at his townhall on Monday night.

Gosh I love Joe. He's our guy.

[Demsrule86]

15. I watched the entire thing...the second showing...by the time it was over I was exhausted

(posted gibberish as my attention deficit acts up when I am tired or stressed), but damn I was happy. Joe nailed it and then some.

[Demsrule86]

12. +1000 K&R...16 taught us to be wary of the media and some pollsters too.

Thus we have Joe's back. He is the most electable Democrat. And to those who continue to promote the false meme of Biden's upcoming doom...I will let Joe speak for himself as only he can.

[oasis]

16. Joebraltar. Solid as a rock. nt

[Cha]

21. Joerockofgibraltar!

I like that! oasis

Mahalo, oasis!

[oasis]

24. Unshakeable. Other Dem candidates have lots going for them

but none quite reach Joe's level of experience, and gravitas.

Let the voting begin.

[Cha]

25. "Experience, gravitas, compassion, courage,

and humor.. that's why he's my candidate.. and the majority think he can beat the psycho!

:

[emmaverybo]

28. Gravitas. Yes. And it is genuine and earned through life and political,experience.

[Gothmog]

20. Joe Biden is the most electable candidate that the Democratic Party has available

[myohmy2]

22. I'm confused...

" Meanwhile, Biden turned in one of his strongest campaign performances Monday night in Iowa at a nationally televised town hall. He showed command of the issues, displayed empathy when discussing his own personal tragedy, and deftly hit Warren over her unrealistic policies and elitist attitude. "

...yet,

" Joe Biden Can't Get Any Respect "

...why is that?

...

[Celerity]

23. Why Elizabeth Warren Is Trump's Weakest Opponent.... By Josh Kraushaar (same author)

The progressive senator from Massachusetts has an outside shot at winning the presidency. She also has a real chance to hand Trump a second term.

https://www.nationaljournal.com/s/680944?unlock=QLVCQR8SQ1JVXF7Z


explains your excerpt

[emmaverybo]

29. He is not getting media respect.