Democratic Primaries

melman

(7,681 posts) Fri Apr 5, 2019, 06:46 PM Apr 2019

Joe Biden's Paid Speech Buoyed the G.O.P. in Midwest Battleground [View all]

Joseph R. Biden Jr. swept into Benton Harbor, Mich., three weeks before the November elections, in the midst of his quest to reclaim the Midwest for Democrats. He took the stage at Lake Michigan College as Representative Fred Upton, a long-serving Republican from the area, faced the toughest race of his career.

But Mr. Biden was not there to denounce Mr. Upton. Instead, he was collecting $200,000 from the Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan to address a Republican-leaning audience, according to a speaking contract obtained by The New York Times and interviews with organizers. The group, a business-minded civic organization, is supported in part by an Upton family foundation.

Mr. Biden stunned Democrats and elated Republicans by praising Mr. Upton while the lawmaker looked on from the audience. Alluding to Mr. Upton’s support for a landmark medical-research law, Mr. Biden called him a champion in the fight against cancer — and “one of the finest guys I’ve ever worked with.”

Mr. Biden’s remarks, coming amid a wide-ranging discourse on American politics, quickly appeared in Republican advertising. The local Democratic Party pleaded with Mr. Biden to repair what it saw as a damaging error, to no avail. On Nov. 6, Mr. Upton defeated his Democratic challenger by four and a half percentage points.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/23/us/politics/biden-speech-fred-upton.html

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided

204 replies

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Joe Biden's Paid Speech Buoyed the G.O.P. in Midwest Battleground [View all] melman Apr 2019 OP

Can't read articles Skidmore Apr 2019 #1

you forgot to include evidence that this actually made a difference in the vote nt msongs Apr 2019 #2

Nope, all that is needed here is BASH BASH BASH any Democrat, especially the one leading Eliot Rosewater Apr 2019 #101

Drop it, please. elleng Apr 2019 #3

COMEON. It is the "Paid Speech, so he sold his soul" trick. Blue_true Apr 2019 #12

Which is why we should NOT rerun it, GOT IT? elleng Apr 2019 #13

Yep. nt Blue_true Apr 2019 #18

He praised the Republican lawmaker in a competitive race? Wabbajack_ Apr 2019 #197

An article from January? mcar Apr 2019 #4

Talk to The New York Times!! InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #58

BASH BASH BASH BASH , this is the place to come if you want to Eliot Rosewater Apr 2019 #102

In the interest of transparency, EVERY candidate should provide a transcript of all public & private InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #5

yep Tiggeroshii Apr 2019 #6

I'm confused. Control-Z Apr 2019 #40

No, tax returns are ALSO important in the interest of full transparency. InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #60

I'm glad to see you post this. yardwork Apr 2019 #94

Agreed. nobodys dropping anything. as it should be Tiggeroshii Apr 2019 #142

Yes, as it should be. Let's hope ALL candidates are held to the same "full transparency" standard InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #156

Equal transparency, equal scrutiny. nt Snotcicles Apr 2019 #163

Precisely!! Bring it... I have ZERO doubt that fair and equal vetting InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #165

This message was self-deleted by its author InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #166

And Bernie should release ALL his FULL tax returns. Blue_true Apr 2019 #14

This sort of thing only makes me dislike Sen Sanders more....attacking other Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #27

Sanders... very divisive Thekaspervote Apr 2019 #32

Sanders runs the NY Times? It's their article. shanny Apr 2019 #38

We should ALL be in favor of full transparency...we can't take a chance this time... InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #50

Then quit running around making excuses for his taxes. MrsCoffee Apr 2019 #72

No one's making excuses...as I've repeatedly stated, Bernie NEEDS to release his taxes InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #76

No you don't have any idea what "we all just need". MrsCoffee Apr 2019 #77

I have no problem at all with your doing that...but, let's hold ALL politicians' feet to the fire... InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #78

He has had years. MrsCoffee Apr 2019 #80

He released PART of his 2014 tax return in 2016. Skipped right over 2015. Anyone know why? George II Apr 2019 #160

Maybe it's a political hit job on Bernie... perhaps, that explains it!! InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #161

. George II Apr 2019 #195

... sheshe2 Apr 2019 #194

Absolutely. shanny Apr 2019 #131

It just makes sense... no exceptions, no double standards. InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #134

"Old shit" This happened last fall. Uncle Joe Apr 2019 #42

A sanders supporter posted it...scorched earth. Makes me dislike Sanders more. Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #85

That's what Sanders did in 2016. yardwork Apr 2019 #95

I know. Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #96

I saw here a Sanders supporter say he likes how it pisses off us Democrats that he wont Eliot Rosewater Apr 2019 #104

From what I see in the post, it says they are undecided. Please stop blaming Sandard supporters for vsrazdem Apr 2019 #201

I guess everyone forgot how nasty it was in 2008. This is mild compared to that. vsrazdem Apr 2019 #204

Yes old shit... scorched earth tactics. Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #98

Yes. It's a regurgitation of the same story/discussion from a couple of months ago... George II Apr 2019 #118

Yes they are. Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #120

It isn't so much Sanders as his surrogates and supporters namahage Apr 2019 #132

The problem I have is we know that Sirota lied about working for the campaign Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #143

Every candidate should release at least their 10 most recent tax returns first. lapucelle Apr 2019 #79

In the interest of transparency every candidate should release their tax returns njhoneybadger Apr 2019 #108

$50,000 for travel allowance, where is Michigan located again? Uncle Joe Apr 2019 #7

So using documents released by a group hostile to Democrats. namahage Apr 2019 #8

It's not a question of who released any documents, the only questions should be is the information Uncle Joe Apr 2019 #9

So the NYT isn't part of the corporate media conglomerate today? betsuni Apr 2019 #30

No it's not. Here is the definition of a corporate media conglomerate and the six that control 90% Uncle Joe Apr 2019 #31

ZIIIINNNG!! So now the NYT is the ENEMY for reporting facts in the interest of full transparency?! InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #56

If Bernie gave a paid speech it would be illegal. betsuni Apr 2019 #59

If Bernie, in the exact same position as Joe, as a private citizen, gave that same paid speech... InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #63

... betsuni Apr 2019 #64

Yeah, didn't think so. InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #66

Didn't think what? betsuni Apr 2019 #67

Yeah I didn't think anyone would buy that strawman either. MrsCoffee Apr 2019 #73

He is a senator and can't give a paid speech. These tactics will only hurt your candidate. Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #86

Nice try... you know EXACTLY what my point was (and made even clearer above in post #63). InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #89

I don't see it that way. There are many more Posts attacking other candidates here. Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #93

The point is to defeat Trump in the general election. This forum concerns the Democratic primaries. Demit Apr 2019 #109

It should not be a scorched earth debacle that leaves no one Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #112

Suppressing argument now, in the primaries, won't make any candidate stronger. Demit Apr 2019 #126

Discussing issues is fine but the attacks on Beto and Biden both by Sanders supporters are Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #138

Go back and look at truly divisive primaries, we lose the general. Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #144

I agree with you!! 100%!! InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #113

So hoping that we are not left with a candidate Trump can beat because of attacks Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #125

Primaries are "divisive" by definition. They exist to examine candidates' strengths AND weaknesses. Demit Apr 2019 #130

Nonsense. That is an excuse. No candidate should attack Democrats in the primary. Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #137

What I'm saying is not nonsense. It is a different viewpoint from yours. Demit Apr 2019 #149

Unless, of course, that candidate is Bernie... then it's "open season"!! InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #172

Again playing the victim, he isn't attacked. Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #192

There were plenty of scorched earth tactics in the 2008 primary, people have just forgotten how vsrazdem Apr 2019 #202

Could.not.agree.more!! InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #170

If only what you're saying applied to Bernie, the most bashed of all the Democratic candidates. InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #111

That is simply untrue. Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #116

Do you know anything about that event or what Biden might have done with the money? George II Apr 2019 #162

A tweet like this would live forever melman Apr 2019 #168

Want me to pull up everything that Sanders did against Democrats and Democratic candidates? George II Apr 2019 #174

You do realize that this proves my point melman Apr 2019 #177

What point is that? George II Apr 2019 #183

lol melman Apr 2019 #184

$50,000 for travel allowance!? workinclasszero Apr 2019 #11

From the Vermont Newspaper. sheshe2 Apr 2019 #28

IOKIYBS BlueFlorida Apr 2019 #34

From the Vermont Newspaper Uncle Joe Apr 2019 #36

I believe his son had just died Control-Z Apr 2019 #43

Joe's son died in 2015, this speech took place last fall, three weeks before the election. Uncle Joe Apr 2019 #44

Wow, close one!! InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #57

It was about sponsoring cancer research. Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #145

Yes for $200,000.00 Uncle Joe Apr 2019 #147

You don't think he gave a big chunk of that to the American Cancer Society? George II Apr 2019 #180

Perhaps. It's one of those Schrodinger cat things, but why take any fee? Uncle Joe Apr 2019 #181

Daddy, can we take the kids along on your "work trip"? namahage Apr 2019 #133

Does he still have Secret Service protection? treestar Apr 2019 #100

We know it wasn't a chartered Delta 767. lapucelle Apr 2019 #196

It's not like he spent $613,451 chartering a Delta 767 for a 24-hour whirlwind publicity tour. lapucelle Apr 2019 #186

Now just imagine if it was Bernie Sanders instead of Joe Biden workinclasszero Apr 2019 #10

Incredible isn't it? melman Apr 2019 #15

Totally amazing for sure workinclasszero Apr 2019 #17

Not the less bit surprising though!! InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #51

No, question, Bernie would be bashed endlessly!! Look how he's been unfairly treated InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #16

... sheshe2 Apr 2019 #29

But that's DIFFERENT! namahage Apr 2019 #135

+1 shanny Apr 2019 #39

Sanders the perpetual victim? I don't see it. I see a scorched earth campaign by Sanders Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #88

Oh I'm sorry workinclasszero Apr 2019 #106

2016...words coronation. There is a difference between making your case and scorched earth... Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #110

Oh and you have it wrong. Sanders is not owed the nomination and cheated if he fails Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #115

"Biden called him a champion in the fight against cancer" ucrdem Apr 2019 #19

So you are saying that if Bernie Sanders gave that speech and helped get a republican elected workinclasszero Apr 2019 #20

. Hassin Bin Sober Apr 2019 #21

Yes, the standard would be different. ucrdem Apr 2019 #25

"Yes, the standard would be different." workinclasszero Apr 2019 #26

If Bernie had a decorated veteran son die of cancer BlueFlorida Apr 2019 #35

Yeeeahhhhh riiiiiiight!! This is why we need full transparency... InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #53

You keep using that word... MrsCoffee Apr 2019 #139

Not at all... transparency and patience are NOT mutually exclusive. InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #140

Roflmfao. MrsCoffee Apr 2019 #141

Ditto! K&R (n/t) corbettkroehler Apr 2019 #187

Gee, where have we heard this line of attack before? ecstatic Apr 2019 #22

Looks as if Biden is getting "Hillary boated" before he enters the race. nt oasis Apr 2019 #24

I think it already is bernie's Strategy...,kinda like his stump speech, it never changes Thekaspervote Apr 2019 #33

That's a new complaint, He's not a windsock. dogman Apr 2019 #150

Really? ismnotwasm Apr 2019 #23

Is someone jealous BlueFlorida Apr 2019 #37

so corporations, millionaires and billionaires shanny Apr 2019 #41

Well, considering Senator Sanders is a millionaire, KitSileya Apr 2019 #48

That's so true. Skidmore Apr 2019 #103

Yep. sheshe2 Apr 2019 #122

lol shanny Apr 2019 #129

FUCK the 1%-ers... that's Bernie's message!!!! Think I'll go with THAT one!!!! InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #54

Not surprising they wouldn't want shanny Apr 2019 #75

It's no longer surprising what some are willing to let their favorite candidate get away with... InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #82

Wait , you actually ...never mind Eliot Rosewater Apr 2019 #105

Yeah!!! namahage Apr 2019 #136

wow BlueFlorida Apr 2019 #155

Others won't. That s the problem. Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #146

Who's Tharp?! haha... seriously though, don't care what others think about that. InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #153

He's not railing against millionaires anymore. Wonder why? redstateblues Apr 2019 #152

Great observation nt BlueFlorida Apr 2019 #154

Bernie has not altered his message of having the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes. Uncle Joe Apr 2019 #157

It sure does! Bernie's consistency on this issue is a model for what we should expect InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #164

According to the Herald-Palladium, Biden calls for bipartisanship and civility in the speech. betsuni Apr 2019 #45

You appear to have missed some important details melman Apr 2019 #46

How do you know the Upton remark had anything to do with Upton's win? betsuni Apr 2019 #47

lol fail ! stonecutter357 Apr 2019 #49

This is another Joe Biden hit job! democratisphere Apr 2019 #52

Riiiiiight!! The truth, in the interest of full transparency, is now a "hit job"?! OOOOOKAY!! InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #65

So where are Sanders "transparent tax returns". democratisphere Apr 2019 #68

Don't worry, they're coming. I have ZERO doubt Bernie will live up to his commitments. InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #69

Sorry, I put Zero faith in your ZERO doubt. MrsCoffee Apr 2019 #74

InA, only in today's sick political climate COULD speaking to Hortensis Apr 2019 #83

Did you even read the NYT article?! Maybe you should take your complaint up with THEM!! InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #87

I have a permanent NYT subscription, so I KNOW which Hortensis Apr 2019 #90

Well, since you have a permanent subscription to the NYT, you obviously find its reporting credible. InAbLuEsTaTe Apr 2019 #91

Then why does this forum exist? Is it not to compare candidates before voting for one? Demit Apr 2019 #119

Its called vetting. vsrazdem Apr 2019 #203

Go with this, and let's see how that works out. He said a nice thing about the work Upton did on still_one Apr 2019 #55

I think it's terribly offensive and cheap to politicize cancer. betsuni Apr 2019 #61

I agree, and I think the American public does too still_one Apr 2019 #62

How did that "but her speeches" "but her emails" shit work out last time? MrsCoffee Apr 2019 #70

+1 betsuni Apr 2019 #71

It worked well last time, as intended. Mission accomplished. yardwork Apr 2019 #97

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2019 #81

Helping a Republican beat a Democrat in a recent election is worth repeating. Snotcicles Apr 2019 #84

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2019 #92

Read the article. He did NOT help a republican beat a Democrat. It wasn't a political event... George II Apr 2019 #169

So, what was the topic of his speech? MineralMan Apr 2019 #99

All that matters to them is Bash BASH BASH Eliot Rosewater Apr 2019 #107

Yes. That's clear. MineralMan Apr 2019 #127

Weird though, I would have thought f there was ONE place on the internet we would Eliot Rosewater Apr 2019 #128

Reminds me of times past, it does. MineralMan Apr 2019 #188

The topic of the speech is not relevant melman Apr 2019 #171

Yeah, one of seven reasons I won't vote for him. sfwriter Apr 2019 #114

I don't think they know who Fred Upton is or the damage he has done to working people. nt Snotcicles Apr 2019 #124

Wasn't this discussed ad nauseum back when he made that speech? Will we be seeing this.... George II Apr 2019 #117

Yes it was. It was about the cancer research. R B Garr Apr 2019 #123

Well, that post worked out quite well, didn't it? Keep trying - better luck next time. NBachers Apr 2019 #121

We can get into one 2016 candidates supporters helping Trump by voting for Stein. RandySF Apr 2019 #148

Three top members of that candidate's campaign voted for Stein. George II Apr 2019 #158

It would behoove people to realize melman Apr 2019 #167

Then what was the reason for the event? Two things: George II Apr 2019 #173

I don't need to read it again melman Apr 2019 #175

Sorry, you missed both points and, if I was in a bad mood I'd say you "lied" about what I said. George II Apr 2019 #176

No I didn't melman Apr 2019 #182

LOL, thread win. Having staff that voted third party equals R B Garr Apr 2019 #191

Joe lost a son to cancer.... pbmus Apr 2019 #151

Did you bother to actually READ the article to see why Biden spoke at that non-campaign event? George II Apr 2019 #159

No snowybirdie Apr 2019 #189

Exactly, I'm sure we'll be seeing it three or four more times between now and next February. George II Apr 2019 #190

Just a tool to attack....BIDEN IS WINNING! Demsrule86 Apr 2019 #193

Isn't this article old news? snowybirdie Apr 2019 #178

The speech was not several years ago melman Apr 2019 #179

I'm not going to put this on my list of things to worry about EveHammond13 Apr 2019 #185

Needs to be read again. sheshe2 Apr 2019 #198

Moving this up. sheshe2 Apr 2019 #199

Read sheshe2 Apr 2019 #200