Over the past four days, it really felt like more people began to reject the seemingly orchestrated campaign against Joe Biden. It felt like an orchestrated campaign – a throwback to a Nixonian “dirty trick” – to me weeks ago, when I first stopped to read some of the articles being done on Tara Reade’s accusations of assault against Biden. I say “accusations” because her story changed many times over the years, just as her story continues to change in recent weeks and months. To be clear, I don’t believe this was orchestrated by Bernie Sanders, but I think there were Sanders loyalists manipulating Reade’s accusations and the uncertainty around them to – nonsensically – make the argument that Biden needs to “step down” so their messiah Bernie Sanders can take the nomination. Nevermind that Sanders already endorsed Biden.
On Friday, Biden denied the accusations emphatically on Morning Joe, and he wrote a Medium essay about it too. This past weekend was full of shenanigans following those emphatic denials – Reade changing her story yet again (what did she report to the Senate office?), pulling out of a Fox News interview and once again, allowing alt-left Sanders-supporters to join with the alt-right Trump-supporting journalists to muddy the waters. The point of this, it seems, wasn’t Believing Women, it was to “dirty up” Biden and confuse the issue to the point that “where are the Senate records” would become the 2020 version of But Her Emails.
Speaking of, those same people tried to launch another attack with a “second victim” – Christine O’Donnell’s niece. O’Donnell is a Tea Party Delawarean who claimed that Biden said something inappropriate about her niece’s breasts when she was 14 years old. She claimed this happened at Delaware’s First State Gridiron Dinner in 2008. Only Joe Biden didn’t attend that year. Then she changed her story and said it happened in 2009. Only Biden didn’t attend the dinner that year either. A lot of Sanders-supporting “journalists” got caught amplifying a story which didn’t even hold up after a few hours of mild scrutiny.
All of which to say, it’s probably going to take several more weeks to get all of this sorted out. People are finally asking the right questions, like “why didn’t Reade’s allegations come up when Biden was vetted for Obama’s VP?” David Axelrod spoke about that too – go here to read. This is not the moment for Biden to announce his vice presidential nominee. Good thing too – Biden has apparently decided to avoid making a VP announcement for a few more months:
Joe Biden is not expected to announce his VP pick until the summer, but the audition process has intensified—and grown increasingly public. Potential picks are openly jockeying for the role. Strategists, left-leaning groups, and party leaders are lobbying the campaign. And Biden, 77, is weighing not just what the women on his shortlist could bring to the ticket politically, but how they would lead the Democratic party after what would likely be his single term in office should he win. “We’d be electing somebody in his late 70s,” former North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp told the New York Times on Sunday. “This is really auditioning to be the next leader of the Democratic Party.” Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid concurred, telling the Times, “I think people are going to look to see who is the person who could be the next president.”
Biden himself has suggested he would only serve four years if he defeats Donald Trump, casting his would-be presidency as a mission to wrest the White House from an unfit leader, clean up the messes he left behind, and restore something like normalcy to the United States government before handing the reins to the next generation. “I view myself as a transition candidate,” Biden said in a recent online fundraiser. “You got to get more people on the bench that are ready to go in.”
Right now, he’s still (mostly) committed to choosing a woman VP. Elizabeth Warren is “well atop Democratic voters’ list of those who should be considered for vice president.” Kamala Harris is apparently the voters’ second choice. I’m more pumped for Kamala than Warren, personally. Also: I don’t hate the fact that Biden isn’t going to try to “change the subject” with a big VP rollout following the Reade mess. That would be very obvious, and I like that Biden trusts that people can take the time and try to read through these competing, confusing and ever-changing accusations.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
Delaying it is a good idea because it gives a bump up to the campaign and gets people excited closer to the election. My preference right now is Kamala Harris BUT I can see that the campaign might look more towards a woman from a swing state, which isn’t Harris and isn’t Warren.
I can see him picking Gretchen Whitmer from Michigan.
+1
Such a disappointing choice if it is her. She is so milquetoast in her criticisms of the armed protesters. I’m tired of worrying about the feelings of fragile white men. Especially those that terrorize us with assault weapons because they can’t go boating or get a haircut. Harris or Abrams would be my top choices.
100% agree with Whitmer. We need a swing state – Michigan is perfect. We don’t need California or Massachusetts. Also warren would be a terrible choice – her replacement in the senate would be chosen by a Republican Governor. How is it a good idea to cede a senate seat to an R??
A bump or a huge let down.
I’m finding it very hard to believe Reade. I understand trauma, and how it can mess with your memory; but she’s changed her story so many times that she just doesn’t seem credible. Thoughts?
To me, unfortunately, it doesn’t matter. IF Reade is a genuine victim, I feel awful for her and what she experienced but we have reached a point as a country where we will not survive 4 more years of Donald Trump. We will not survive it physically, or emotionally, or economically. We children will not survive it. Our at risk population will not survive it. People of color will not survive it and women will not survive it.
So if Biden may have done something inappropriate, it does not matter in this one specific instance. We do not have to like him or re-elect him. But we must vote for him. Write ins, third party candidates or abstaining are all votes for Trump. Republicans are perfectly willing to put racist sexual predators in office and not lose any sleep over it.
I 100% agree with you. It is not something I am happy about, I would much prefer if we could have multiple choices for President that were ALL free of sexual assault / inappropriate behaviour accusations. But here we are. At this point we simply have to get Trump OUT.
The burden right now is on her. She’s the only one who can consent to the release of whatever complaint she filed, if she ever filed one. It has been days now since Biden called for the release of the paperwork but she hasn’t given her consent to the record keeper to release anything. Putting aside the information about her past sketchy acts, the description of the assault raises doubts. The area where this takes place is highly trafficked, not just by Senators but the general public at the time, it was not a secluded area and a woman working in Senate offices in 1992-1993 would have been wearing pantyhose. The dress code for the House was more relaxed but not the Senate.
LP, I’ve had the exact same thought about the pantyhose, but I haven’t bothered to engage in any discussion on it because, at the end of the day, I share Chickaletta’s opinion on the matter. I’ve even gone so far as to think through how difficult it would be to tear a hole in a pair of pantyhose in order to accomplish what she’s alleged. And any woman who’s worn pantyhose knows, unless they’re already ripped, it’s pretty difficult.
I will say one thing, as devil’s advocate. If pantyhose were required, could she have been wearing nude thigh high stockings? I used to. I felt too constricted in actual pantyhose, so wore the thigh highs with the rubber beading at the top that held them up. They were sheer / nude, and unless you looked up my skirt, or saw me getting dressed, you wouldn’t know they weren’t full on pantyhose.
I have not read enough of this situation, as frankly, I feel I *HAVE* to vote for him no matter what, and don’t really want to know what he did or didn’t do. But if “pantyhose” are a point of importance, I did want to mention this other possibility.
She’s probably telling a version of what really happened or close enough. Biden has multiple accusations of “creepy” behavior & we can’t just not believe women when it’s inconvenient politically. Plus, Black women have talked about seeing how he treated Anita Hill (in person, people who were with her at the hearings) and seeing him laugh with the Republicans there. He was not a good person, he was like a lot of older men who think this stuff is normal.
It’s unfortunately common for trauma plus time (plus socialization) to affect how and when women talk about rape or harassment. So I don’t like the focus on changing stories. That’s not a reliable benchmark.
I wish he would admit he treated women badly, and speak of how he’s changed, and offer a clear apology. Not just hold fast to the idea she’s totally lying. Because the same accusations come up against Donald Trump. The same kind.
Think about it. Obama had zero accusations of rape or harassment. False accusations are RARE. Don’t you think they hated Obama as much as anyone could? If they could accuse him of that, they would have! Clinton and BIden and Trump and Kavanaugh are all the sort of men who abuse and hurt women. Obama was not, W was not. It’s not about party here. It’s about men and crime.
she has changed so many parts of her stories, coached the witnesses ( with the help of Robinson and Grim), at this point I am not even sure I believe her initial accusation, which wasn’t rape.
Me Too isn’t about believing accusers unconditionally. it’s about having the accusations heard and investigated. she’s had both, and the more it’s looked into the more sketchy it gets.
And Biden also had zero accusations of rape or harassment until one month ago. All of the other women you are mentioning didn’t accuse him of harassment. Heck, even Reade herself didn’t claim harassment until the last several months – again, her claim last year was that he made her uncomfortable.
You can choose to believe she’s telling some version of the truth. I choose to believe that the same people who insisted that Hillary Clinton was corrupt are willing to manipulate a vulnerable woman to maintain power.
Biden has called for an investigation and for records to be released – not exactly the actions of someone who has something to hide. He has also not attacked Reade and says she has the right to tell her story. In contrast, Trump belittled the women he attacked and done everything in his power to silence them. And he admitted on tape what he does.
So, you know, this isn’t about wanting to avoid political inconvenience. It is looking at the facts of the case and the way that both men behave and concluding that they are in no way similar. Sure, some on the Far Left and Far Right will continue to muddy the waters. But I know where I stand.
“She’s probably telling a version of what really happened or close enough. Biden has multiple accusations of “creepy” behavior & we can’t just not believe women when it’s inconvenient politically. Plus, Black women have talked about seeing how he treated Anita Hill (in person, people who were with her at the hearings) and seeing him laugh with the Republicans there. He was not a good person, he was like a lot of older men who think this stuff is normal.”
Being overly tactile in social interactions (what you describe as the accused “creepy” behavior) and showing disrespect toward Anita Hill have no zero nexus with penetrating someone against her will. There is no legitimate connection between those behaviors without further evidence.
Obama didn’t run against Trump. Trump has zero ethics and will stoop to whatever means necessary (and will employ people who will stoop to whatever means necessary) to “win.” Plus, I think the last four years have shown that democrats are very idealistic. Republicans are accused of sexual assault, ignore it, wait out the democrats who call for an investigation or resignation, then continue on as if nothing ever happened. On the other hand, Democrats are accused of sexual assault, other democrats call for resignation, and the accused resigns. Because democrats are idealists, and republicans have learned in the last four years that they can harness this for their own purposes.
The statement to Fox was dodgy too. It seems she backed out of talking to Chris Wallace, who is probably the only fair journalist at Fox. I gather she also called Democrats hypocrites and said that Fox were the only ones who would interview her on screen, but Don Lemon said that they had had an interview lined up but she had backed out after Biden spoke with MSNBC. It strikes me that Ms Reade has a problem with the truth.
The fact that it’s being talked about and Biden has had to respond to it is damaging enough regardless of the outcome. Biden’s supporters, who were previously uncompromising in their support of the Me Too movement, have also left themselves wide open for allegations of hypocrisy, because they’ve been prepared to exercise a lot more skepticism when the allegations have been leveled at one of their own.
I’m wrestling with this, I really am, but I’ve come to a conclusion with myself. Let’s say Reade is telling the truth. Well, we already have a rapist/assaulter/harasser for a president, PLUS he’s responsible for tens of thousands of American deaths that could have been prevented. So I’m going to vote for Biden, because there’s no scenario where Trump wins again and the U.S. does okay.
This is where I’m at, Wingkingdom. If we have to choose between 2 sexual assailants to be president, I’m gonna hold my nose and do what’s best for the country as a whole and vote Biden. I don’t know if Biden’s accuser is telling the truth, or if she is a plant by…..someone. I know in my heart that Biden is a handsy creep, and that SHOULD be enough to disqualify him. But here we are, in the year 2020, with this unfathomable choice. America STILL sucks.
It won’t be Warren; she’s too old. Let’s be frank, they’re finding someone to take over not just after a single-term presidency but in case the President doesn’t make it to the end of that first term. Warren will be 71 by Inauguration Day and while that’s obviously not old enough to completely exclude her from consideration, it doesn’t really meet what they’re looking for.
My money’s on Gretchen Whitmer.
Those accusations on Saturday felt off from the beginning – why go with “sexually harassed a fourteen year old” instead of sounding the alarm on the more concerning part of that scenario?
And then she tried to change it to 2009 – when she wasn’t there and also not running against Biden, because he was already vice president.
I’m in for Klobuchar – swing state, Midwesterner (not a second “elite” northeasterner nor “crazy” Californian); appeals to cross-over voters; battle tested in national debates. Also I’ve seen her a few years ago – a nice sense of humor, and has a lot of common sense. I agree Kamala Harris would be more exciting for many people but I’d like to see more national experience in someone who’s a heartbeat away from the top seat.
Doesn’t matter to me truly – I’ll vote for Biden whoever he chooses (so long as it isn’t some wild choice like Palin was for McCain – see above).
Interesting to see if Trump would overthrow Pence for Haley if he senses he could get some excitement there.
Amy is way to negative, everything is a can’t be done. Also she doesn’t poll well with most people who actually vote for democrats. If he needs a Midwesterner then its Gretchen Whitmer she is a governor and seems to be more upbeat and believing in the ability to actually do and accomplish stuff
However, it should be Kamala. I also think that right now when you see how well California is managing the Pandemic no one is really falling for crazy California right now as it seems they are the most on top of everything from their economy, pandemic etc
I don’t know what to believe about Biden. It’s sad that these are our two options: an old man who might have assaulted a woman and an old man who has definitely assaulted many woman unapologetically.
I will give Biden credit though. He hasn’t insulted Reade’s appearance or called it a witch hunt. There’s a chance this is Biden’s “but her emails” and he’s at least facing it head on.
To any Trump supporter latching on to this. Where is your outrage about your dear orange leader? It’s not principle but politics.
Gretchen Whitmer is NOT a good choice, not right now. That doesn’t mean she’s not a good choice EVER, but this is not her moment to be on a presidential ticket. She was JUST elected to her office in 2018. She’s at the beginning of her term, during a huge crisis that she is managing. The optics of her abandoning that position to vault into the vice presidency will not be good, and I do not believe that making that choice will redound to her benefit with voters in Michigan. Harris is a much better choice for numerous reasons. Politically, I am closest to Warren, but Warren’s Senate seat is needed. It’s essential. Unless we have Democratic control of the Senate, Biden’s agenda will be stymied. The governor of Massachusetts is a Republican, who will appoint another Republican to replace her if she vacates that seat. Her age is also a factor. Harris is the best choice if we suspect that the shortlist is something like Abrams, Whitmer, Warren, Harris and a few others as outside possibilities.
Clarification on MA rules for a vacant Senate seat. Yes, the Republican Governor gets to appoint a replacement but it is only temporary until the special election and the appointee cannot run for the seat. There’s a Senate race this year and I cannot tell you who the Republican candidates are or even who ran against Warren in 2018. Also the legislature could change the rules again and can override a Baker veto by a very large margin.
Thank you for clarifying!
My impression of Biden was always a touchy feely guy but not a molester. Back in the 80s, I worked in an law office. There was another, different law office downstairs in the building, and one of the main guys there worked with our lawyers on cases. He would come upstairs and was always really touchy feely. He’d massage my neck, hug me but I never got a creepy feeling from him. He actually lived a few blocks from me and I’d see him all the time walking my dog. He was nothing but friendly. He never came on to me sexually. Now, I can see it as kind of creepy, but at the time, I really don’t think he was doing it for sexual reasons. I get the impression Biden was kind of the same way. He thought of it as comforting someone.
Point of clarification – Christine O’Donnell wasn’t claiming that Biden said it to her but to her niece, who was 14 at the time. When the initial story fell apart because Biden was not at the event, O’Donnell then tried to say it was the year before (which also fell apart).
Why is this important? Because O’Donnell was actually running against Biden for the Senate that year. And yet, we’re supposed to believe he made these comments in front of her and she didn’t say anything in their Senate race?
Of course, the fact that he also was elsewhere both years casts a smidgen of doubt on the story she is trying to peddle.
Btw very good Senate polling lately. I think we’re going to easily flip it.
Hope springs eternal. The Senate is as important as the Presidency. We have to put an end to the GOP’s majority.
I hope so i really hope so
I love Warren but the idea of having two people over 70 on the ticket is beyond concerning and two white people makes me super uncomfortable.
I want Kamala- not because she is a WOC but because I think she is smart, she has had some real interesting bills that she is trying to get going that deal with real issues in the country and I think she’d destroy Pence.
Again Warren is amazing and would do a fantastic job but I would prefer her running the Treasury department especially now.
I’m with Kamala!
My fantasy is Biden picks Warren as his VP, win and then mid-term resigns for “health reasons” and she becomes president. I know she’s in her early 70s but she has a youthful demeanor and is sharp as a tack. She was the only candidate who presented detailed, thoughtful plans on how to accomplish real change on multiple fronts.
That’s probably not going to happen though. Regardless, I’m voting blue no matter who. We need decent leadership and sanity again. I’m still fearful the GOP will find a way to mess with the elections some how and fully establish a kleptocracy.
Kamala for the win! Please pick someone under 60!
Re: comment on Bernie stepping in to replace Biden – if a replacement does become necessary (which it won’t), Andrew Cuomo would be the better choice. Never mind that he is more qualified than Trump (obvi), but even his nickname game is way stronger than Trump’s. Remember Welfare Queen McConnell?😂
That’s my issue with this: Obama thoroughly vetted Biden in 2008. There’s no way he would have picked Biden if there was a complaint filed against Biden for sexual harassment. Something is definitely wrong with Reade’s account there. So either she’s lying about the complaint or it wasn’t filed. She wasn’t wearing pantyhose? And no one else saw this encounter?
I don’t think the VP appointment will be a game changer one way or the other.