In light of recent events, I have decided to choose a candidate.

[Mr.Bill]

Joe Biden. If the world still exists as we know it, he has the best shot at fixing this mess.

[LakeArenal]

1. Thanks, Mr. Bill

[dware]

2. Yep.

He brings to the table, wisdom, patience, level headedness, tons of foreign policy experience, he is definitely the right man at the right time, and, IMO, is the only one who can take on and defeat the Mango Menace in Nov.

[WheelWalker]

3. No doubt. Our nominee's going to have to stomach a shit sandwich.

[Mr.Bill]

4. Honestly, being from California, I had high hopes for Harris,

but I've always been a fan of Biden, even before he was VP. It was very hard watching her attack Biden at that debate. I still think she would make an excellent AG. Plenty of time for her to be President one day, too.

[samnsara]

8. yes, that was very hard to watch..up until then I thought they would be a dream team...

[PatSeg]

10. I had a very high regard for Harris

When I lived in California, I voted for her for Attorney General. I still like her, but her attack on Biden at that debate really didn't sit well at all. Joe has been around for a long time and people know him. Not only was it wrong, but it was bad politically as well.

I still think she has a great future ahead of her and now she knows that Democratic voters don't respond positively to attacks on fellow Democrats. I really don't recall Obama ever doing that. The worst I can remember is when he said during a debate, "You're likable enough, Hillary."

[crazytown]

13. "I really don't recall Obama ever doing that"

Clinton v Obama was not sweetness and light

While I was working on those streets, watching those folks see their jobs get shipped overseas, you were working as a corporate lawyer sitting on the board of Walmart.

[PatSeg]

33. Oh ouch!

I guess memory can be selective at times. I really wasn't a Obama supporter at the time, but most of my recollections were of civility on his part. Another reminder of why I really don't like primaries and it is only January!

[crazytown]

34. Most of the debates were civil, even friendly,

but not always

[PatSeg]

39. Yeah

I guess you can always expect a bit of snark here and there. I know things did get very contentious between Clinton and Obama as time went on. Perhaps it is inevitable, but it is so uncomfortable to witness.

[Sloumeau]

11. I lot of us Biden fans are rooting for Harris to be either Biden's VP or AG. :)

I think she has a really decent shot at one or the other.

[BarbD]

24. Your thinking is very logical to me.

I still have Harris' "For the People" poster on my wall.

[Thekaspervote]

5. He is the most well suited candidate to fix all the orange idiots messes

[DemocracyMouse]

14. Why?

[Hortensis]

23. We-elll, expertise in both judiciary and foreign affairs, for two things.

In addition to chairing both senate committees, he acted as a fireman and diplomat, assigned various responsibilities by President Obama in the ME and Ukraine (overseeing the cleaning out of corruption, including Russia-linked, for instance), as well as other nations. No one begins to match his foreign affairs chops.

Biden is well known to colleagues both here and internationally to be a man of integrity and honor. He's trusted by those he works with. We're going to need all the trust and good will our president can reestablish, and all the big players have worked with him before.

The U.S. is a union of 50 semi-autonomous states, plus other territories, extremely diverse and all with their individual economies, legal systems, cultures, climate and geographic issues, and power centers of all types, not just political, that must be reckoned and worked with. And on and on. No other candidate begins to have Biden's knowledge about how this incredibly complex country works, connections, and expertise in what can be done and how. And which people when given power make it work well and who doesn't. And when he doesn't, he knows just who to ask and trust to give him good information.

For someone whose environment/climate record began back in 1972, when passing climate legislation wouldn't earn anyone more than a handful of votes, his record is excellent. He's very well regarded by and been a dependable partner in DC for environmental groups for decades, and he has a great deal of expertise in the various realities of the costs and benefits of what needs to be done, undone, how to make it happen, etc.

This is the plus side of being a caring, involved liberal Democrat who's served in government for nearly a half century. And there's more. That's just some main points that leap to mind.

[PatSeg]

38. "And when he doesn't,

he knows just who to ask and trust to give him good information." This is so important. A president does not work alone and relies heavily on the expertise of the people of his/her administration. Joe knows who the best people are and will make informed and wise choices in his appointments.

I can't even begin to list all his accomplishments as Vice President alone. He was a very hands-on involved VP, quite unlike anything we've ever seen..........well, except for Dick Cheney, but I meant in a good way.

Also, leaders all over the world know and respect Joe Biden. Our allies will be relieved to see him in the White House, after four years of Donald Trump.

[UniteFightBack]

51. +1000. What is befuddling to me is WHY is this not OBVIOUS to all?? nt

[samnsara]

6. i know what you mean...we have NO TIME for a learning curve...

[DemocracyMouse]

15. Whose learning curve?

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

27. Bernie sure doesn't need a learning curve, based on his IWR vote, as compared to Joe's bad decision

to vote for the war resolution. Bernie showed good judgment in not being fooled by Lil Shrub and his obvious lies, as well as Bernie's other smart foreign policy positions.


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

[onetexan]

7. Wise choice mr. Bill

No other candidate even comes close to Biden's foreign policy experience and wisdom.

[BigmanPigman]

16. He is the only one who already has our allies' respect.

He will be able to his the ground running and we are in need of this.

[DemocracyMouse]

17. His "wisdom" put us in the Middle East.

Are any of you Biden fans actually reading up on the history of your candidate? Are you aware that most Americans are quite fed up with the status quo? And they voted for Trump, not because he has more marbles in his brains, but he sounded anti-status quo and still does?

Look where a majority of actual Americans are leaning. It's either strong to the left (traditional FDR, not extreme) or wildly to the hair-brained right. Joe Biden represents a hawkish, neoliberal mentality (trickle down) that hasn't worked repeatedly, and Americans are increasingly sick of it.

[Demsrule86]

26. Biden came out against Iraq in July of 2003...we sent troops in March of 2003...so very

quickly Biden said it was a mistake...He gave a speech on the above date but we don't know the exact time he realized Iraq was a mistake and that he and the American people had been lied to... many good Democrats lost their seats in 04 too because of Bush's wartime presidency bullshit...but about four months after the attack ignoring political peril Biden came out against the Iraq war...so how about we just stop with this sort of attack...at that moment July 31st 2003, Warren had been a Democrat for less than 10 years by her own words she switched in 96...what about her judgement?

https://www.c-span.org/video/?177659-1/us-policy-iraq

[bearsfootball516]

28. The majority of Americans are leaning toward Joe Biden, as strongly evidenced by the poll numbers

[DemocracyMouse]

49. Sorry, Biden polls at less than 50% of the Dem electorate

And less than 50% of the country as a whole. Not a single candidate has more than 50% of the public's interest.

Democrats are going to win this next election. Focus on candidates who are up to date and consistently inspiring.

Warren is my gal. As the candidate with the best research team in the candidate jungle, she would make a fantastic president.

[UniteFightBack]

53. They are all polling at under 50%. Warren won't win the swing states. GET REAL! nt

[Hortensis]

40. Wow. Well: 1) "most Americans are quite fed up with the status quo"

is almost always a sure sign of some manipulator trying to sucker readers, feeding them what a power player wants them to believe, rather than readers than obtaining facts and information directly from the doers and arriving at their own conclusions. Only read material that provides links to who's being quoted, and hit THOSE to get to the original sources before reading. Don't let propagandists tell you what smart people said and why, read for yourself.

2) Another sure sign of chicanery afoot is the notion that FDR was not a mainstream, establishment, pro-capitalism liberal Democrat like most of the people in the Democratic Party today. The people you imagine FDR was like gave him hell until he finally kicked out the ones he'd brought into his government to help fix the nation. They gave him no choice. Sanders' counterparts in the 1930s believed FDR (a quintessential member of the ultrawealthy "establishment" ) betrayed America; they were appalled by the New Deal as proof of betrayal, and ran one of their own against him in hopes of kicking him out of office. They believed they represented "the people." They were wrong, and their new Progressive Party failed soon after.

3) There's some truth to your notion that Trump appealed because he sounded anti-status quo, but then it stops. Maybe read about populism, populists, and populist leaders, which both Trump and Sanders are.

A majority of populists are economically progressive and socially conservative, which is why those on the right turned on their betraying wealthy-serving, anti-tax, anti-regulation, anti-progressivism Republican leadership, first with the Tea Party and now with Trump. And it's why many of Trump's and Sanders' supporters can switch between them so easily.

Some responsible people get involved in populist movements, but overall the movements are given their special identity by destructive resentment and antagonism that crave leaders who'll take them on a mindless rampage against "the establishment" (interpretation: Democrats) and assorted ancillary targets, often including POC, Jews, that sort of thing. Nothing any nice or responsible person wants to be part of.

4) "Neoliberal"? Gimme a break. That's a huge dog whistle for hostile propaganda. The word was resuscitated for scoundrels to use to deceive because the old word neoliberal equates most these days to hard-core conservative laissez faire economics, BUT has the word "liberal" in it. Made to order for confusing those whose misplaced trust exceeds their interest in looking words up.

5) "Trickle down" was created to refer to reaganomics. Reagan was conservative, and his popularity was used by hard-core laissez faire RW types to move the nation strongly right -- reaganomics. Trickle down these days still refers to RW greedy-bastard economics, the very antithesis of liberal economics.

Here's one last thing:

"We can have democracy in this country, OR we can have great wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can't have both."

This was progressive liberal Nancy Pelosi quoting pre- New Deal, progressive liberal Justice Louis Brandeis to the nation at the opening of the 116th congress.

[Demsrule86]

44. Impressive post...my dear. Very impressive. I am always awed by your range of knowledge....

[Hortensis]

46. Lol. I'm a broken record, Dems, or a talking doll with a long string,

but they say if you repeat something enough people will believe it.

[Demsrule86]

48. you are intelligent and modest! No seriously, I am fairly well read...but I learn something from

most of your posts...what a treat.

[Hortensis]

63. Same here you, Dems.

[Demsrule86]

66. That is very kind...not sure deserved but very kind.

[Hortensis]

68. Hey, I always click when I see your name,

and certainly not to be kind.

[tirebiter]

58. I am more than fed up with he status quo

The current state pf affairs (Spoiler, that is the definition of status quo) is Trumo, Trump, Trumo. Btw, did I mention Trump? The ACA has been compromised. The last two section cycles have shown that the Americans want it back, not the status quo.

[Hortensis]

62. :) Love your name, Tirebiter. Also SO sick of hearing "status quo."

It's a populist dog whistle that means everything and anything "establishment" that those in the grip of mindlessly antagonistic populist fervor are told to despise at the moment. And there goes my string again! Trump, yes? ACA, oh yes! Evil Democratic Party, hell yes!

Subversive agitprop is turning anxious people into rabble ready to be lead to indiscriminate destruction of the government they grew up with and that most of the planet envies them.

Current status quo, as said, is Republican control and trumpism, but when we look at what populists on both sides are being turned against, it turns out to be virtually entirely the Democratic "status quo," the freedoms of liberal democracy we've always had.

Depowering or destroying the Democratic Party would destroy progressivism in government, but they're not told that. They're told Democrats are its enemies, not its creators and protectors.

Eras of populist uprising are dangerous-scary, so it's pretty frivolous that what really boils my butt and jerks my string is the imagined virtue underlying this mindlessly hostile phrase. Populists may want to be, but populist movements are anything but virtuous. They have no idea what the new status quo would be after destroying the old one because they take that on faith.

Just look at Trump and Sanders. The right's still waiting for their much better and cheaper healthcare as Trump works to destroy all chances of it ever, but they're in for Trump anyway. Those on the left have no idea what socialism is, but if their leader's socialist they're in for that also. Disposable banners, or sharpie-alterable ones, to march under, provided by leaders who know they can continue to lead these followers almost anywhere once in power.

Good grief.

[The Valley Below]

59. Great post! Thank you.

We need to restore the truth of our party's history and fight back against false narratives. You've done great work here.

I deeply appreciate the post. I have one small quibble and I hope you don't find it churlish.

I don't think populists are generally "progressive" when it comes to economics. They do tend to be nativist, and protectionist, and are generally filled with anger and resentment against perceived "elites" who are the cause of all problems, but these characteristics are not what I'd call "progressive" so much as they are "reactionary."

[Hortensis]

67. :) How about "progressive" for themselves?

You're certainly describing populists in terms of social/cultural attitudes, RW especially, but to a lesser LW. Trump's flamed-up nativism, protectionism and racism have taken over that party. Sanders sells a much milder nationalism and carefully avoids damaging his populist brand by getting too accommodating toward minority voters.

Reportedly, though, progressive movements combine varying degrees of that social conservatism with varying degrees of economic progressivism. The special populism blends of at least some cultural negativity toward others and economic aspirations that apparently can range anywhere from "me and mine" to universalist solutions covering everyone.

We see what I believe are considered progressive beliefs in those Republican "keep your hands off my Social Security" types. From what I've read, both the Tea Party and Trump were essentially populist rebellions against their party leadership's plans to dismantle the New Deal and other programs they wanted for themselves. Most had been strongly supportive for years, though, of the party's cutting of progressive policies they saw as benefiting groups they didn't like.

[The Valley Below]

69. I think "progressive only for oneself" pretty well describes being a "reactionary."

Being a liberal-progressive in my estimation requires being in favor of helping those most in need, even if that means self-sacrifice.

Being a reactionary (populist) requires thinking of oneself first. And second. And third.

For example, being "in favor of Social Security" only because it benefits oneself (as with some Teabaggers) isn't a "progressive" impulse. They want their checks due to reactionary impulses despite Social Security being a progressive social program.

Which is why I pointed out my objection on this point.

Other than this point, you made an excellent case!

[Hortensis]

70. Thanks. For sure being populist is about oneself,

what "I" want, first, second and third.

My one caveat would be the "thinking" part. I've only seen reaction dressed up with whatever justifications the leader tells them to claim.

[The Valley Below]

71. Common ground.

[UniteFightBack]

52. Good job with buying into the bullshit of the 'status quo' crap. They are fucking racist bastards..

that is where the excitement came from. That is why they voted for dotard dump.

[Sloumeau]

9. Mr.Bill, welcome to Team Biden! :)

[NBachers]

12. He's the one with enough experience in Government to put it back together.

[lees1975]

18. I'm thinking the same way

Biden's been there and has the experience. But we've got good military advisors and level headed candidates and if this weren't heading toward a crisis, there are several competent Democrats.

What US interests are involved here anyway? If there were no US troops in Iraq, then there wouldn't be any danger from one of Soleimani's militia groups.

[Mr.Bill]

21. The US interests

are all the contractors the Pentagon hires. I'm sure it involves billions of dollars. It's the business of war, and unfortunately it's the number one jobs program the USA has. If the Pentagon was defunded and closed tomorrow I bet unemployment in this country would be 20+%.

If we put the money we put into war into education and health care we'd all have Masters Degrees and live to be 150.

[UniteFightBack]

54. Take the plunge and change that undecided!!!

[usaf-vet]

19. Starting to lean that way as well. At least he will put smart people around him. AND F..in LISTEN!

[UniteFightBack]

55. I think Elizabeth Warren should be one of them. The CPB really needs her. nt

[usaf-vet]

61. Totally agree....VP?

[Roy Rolling]

20. A good point

Trump is gambling he will gain votes as a war president. In reality, Biden will be strengthened because of his solid, foreign policy familiarity and experience.

Trump just strengthened his self-proclaimed rival. What a putz.

[Demsrule86]

22. Thanks ... Good choice!

[tiredtoo]

25. Should he win the nomination, he has my vote.

But not for the reason you mentioned.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

29. Same, but fortunately, Joe's chances of getting the nomination decline by the day...

It's no wonder, given people's disappointment in so many of Joe's past and present policy positions.


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

[Mr.Bill]

32. Other than your opinion, which you are certainly entitled to,

what makes you say his chances of getting the nomination are "declining by the day"?

[NYMinute]

43. iS tHaT ReAlLy TrUe? nt

[Demsrule86]

45. I worry about you...Biden looks to be the nominee...not Bernie or Elizabeth.

Bernie should have a big lead in Iowa and New Hampshire...in order to make up for delegates he won't get in later primaries...Bernie doesn't do well with AA voters...it is going to hurt him...

[tiptonic]

30. What about

What about John Kerry?

[Mr.Bill]

31. He's not running.

That's like saying what about Hillary Clinton.

[Mars and Minerva]

36. John Kerry is actively backing Joe Biden so...

If you think he knows what's good for our country, Biden is his choice.

[OAITW r.2.0]

35. Obvious antidote to Trump.

Last edited Mon Jan 6, 2020, 12:01 AM - Edit history (1)

He builds on Obama's legacy, but he damn well needs to stop the "Republicans are our friends".

He better revise his message to "the Republicans you know in your neighborhoods are not the enemy...it's the Organized Crime Party currently in Congress that pretends to share their values."

And pledge to confront this threat to our Democracy once and for all. We can be liberal or conservative in our ideas on various topics, but we have to preserve the court of public opinion. We cannot let an Internationalized Crime Syndicate, based in Moscow, do a friendly takeover of this country. That is the simple reality. Disbelieve at your own/collective peril.

No long winded speeches....just the truth. We have to restore American honor before we can lead again.

[ismnotwasm]

37. Yup.

[Pepsidog]

41. Biden as President for foreign affairs with Warren as VP for domestic.

[NYMinute]

42. K&R Go Joe!! nt

[yaesu]

47. I'm haven't made my primary decision yet but we do need someone to steady this ship

its been rocking way too far to the right with a tendency to over correct to the far left. I'm with the far left crowd myself but a trusted captain at the helm during a storm can be a life saver & I would have no problem putting Joe Biden at the helm.

[UniteFightBack]

50. Smart and Pragmatic. Joe will call our allies straight away and get to work. He truly will appoint

the best people. Can't wait to find out his running mate!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[waveiscoming]

56. Intervention is a winner

Intervention got us into this mess. Without going into Iraq would still be an adversary to iran in the region. The worst foreign policy decision in our history and lets reward that candidate. Just today Libya had 30 dead in bombing at a military academy. The candidate who voted for the war that transformed the region in the world forever in a bad way is what we need now. We need someone that will get our troops out of the middle east RIGHT NOW.

[waveiscoming]

57. We need to leave the middle east

Biden isn't for withdrawing from the middle east while I could see Bernie doing that fairly rapidly. Iran will keep rocketing our bases and it will cause friction. Biden praised Nato after Libya invasion so what has he learned. That was second conflict where he praised an invasion which lead to turmoil.

[Tarheel_Dem]

60. I think many will come to the same conclusion as you. The possibility of WWIII will likely move....

quite a few undecideds.

[Peacetrain]

64. Ahhh Nice!! this just came up to the top of my feed!!

Made my day Mr. Bill!!

[SKKY]

65. Solid Choice. I'd be happy to vote for Joe in the general, no doubt.