The Joe Biden 2020 tracker thread (1 Viewer)

[Intensesaint]

A place for all the gaffs, slip-ups and overall outlandish things Democratic candidates will say or do in lead up to the 2020 Election.

 

[CoolBrees]

More than likely if you are undecided at this point, you probably have a tough decision on which condiment you put on your hotdog.

And a drooling problem.

 

[coldseat]

No... Like I said... The actual lack of experience concerns me far less than... Why choose a VP with a clear lack of experience?

I think what she brings to the ticket as a VP had nothing to do with her being chosen... I think she was chosen for what she does not bring. (a national political track record to beat up on)

In my honest opinion... Here's the situation I see....

There are lot of people that dislike and don't trust Trump out there, but many of them also don't want (perceived or otherwise) an ultra far left progressive agenda running the show... and if Biden was supposed to be portrayed as a "moderate" option for them (and that's what I keep being told)... Welp... the Harris pick makes no sense.... because this election will be about turning middle of the road and undecided votes... everyone who hates Trump is already voting for Biden... everyone who loves Trump is already voting for Trump... that was never changing.... so the pick still baffles me.

Unless of course it was only about race, sex, and not over-shadowing Biden.

I read that a few times and I'm really not sure what your issue is with Harris or what choice you expected out of Biden that what you would have liked outside of Tulsi.

Tulsi, is an outlier in Dem politics. Her or somebody like her was never going to be chosen. Obviously, Harris' sex and race where an important factors given the moment we're in in our nations history. You might not like that personally, but it's only logical for Biden to give that serious thought and weigh that in his decision.

Harris isn't far left in the least, unless you're going to buy the view of the republican attack machine. If you're looking for a moderate, you got one (at least as far as democrats go). Even moderate democrats have progressive policies because our country needs that right now (I'll understand if you disagree).

Her ambition and the fact that she is a politician and acts like one aren't turn offs for me personally. Generally, I think those descriptions usually more negativity applied to women due to largely sexist views/attitudes.

Most important to me isn't "why" she was chosen. That's a political decision. But I do care about what she can do in that role. In that view, I welcome what she will be able to contribute to our most pressing national issues, which is Covid-19.

 

[Infoman]

I like outliers... I don't eat hotdogs.... I don't vote based on what they have told me is the lesser of 2 evils... I don't blindly follow ideology.... I don't have social media.... and I don't follow mainstream media story tellers....

No one knows what Harris is or isn't... and that's the point. She has no real national political long term record to pick apart. Is she tough on crime as her record as a DA indicates? Or is she all in on defunding the police? I think the voters have already stated pretty loudly in the Primary... They don't trust her... Is she going to go out and re-write the New Green deal, or is she going to snuggle up as a "moderate" like Biden is being portrayed as?

If you don't think a near 80 year old Presidential candidate's picks' credentials for VP doesn't mean anything in a country where 1 or 2 swing states can decide the election outcome... and it's a just a matter of you either Hate Trump or You don't.... I have bad news for you.

Oh, and In case some of you don't know... I never vote Democrat or Republican in Presidential elections ever... I refuse to do so until we are given a 3rd option that doesn't include the equivalent of cutting my foot off to save my leg... besides that... any vote I cast in the super Red state of Louisiana... means very little to the outcome.... I'd rater push my vote to any 3rd party and have a clear conscisnce and hopefully one day promote enough support for any other option than "Here are 2 puppets we choose to represent our party, yeah, they both suck... but you have no choice but to choose one, suckers".

 

[Booker]

There's probably something to the idea that Harris was the best "do no harm" running mate. There's no Benghazi, or past comments about Castro or something like that to beat her up with. But I think that ignores the things she does bring to the table, particularly being polished, experienced and comfortable at the national stage.

As far as foreign policy experience goes, Biden has it in spades, and as a senator she's more experienced with foreign policy than either Trump or Pence were when they took office, so I don't think that should be a concern. She's whip smart and is known as a hard negotiator so at the very least I don't think we'd have to worry about her further alienating our allies or cozying up to and getting taken advantage of by adversarial dictators.

Otherwise, my recollection is that issues she ran into in the run up to the primaries had to do with her not being far enough to the left for for the Sanders/Warren wing (which ended up being pretty soundly defeated once people started voting), with the big criticism being that she was too effective as a prosecutor, as during her tenure as DA felony convictions increased. I don't think that will hurt Biden in the general election, and actually will help deflect Trump's claims that they want to eliminate the police and turn the country over to Antifa.

Speaking as a moderate Democrat I preferred her to much of the field, and from what I've read/heard from the punditry is that from the Biden campaign's internal voter polling she was easily the most preferred/popular choice for him to make (more than 2 to 1 over anyone else). She's also won her elections with pretty wide margins (with her initial election as AG a lone exception) that increased as she became more known. Elections are ultimately popularity contests, so when you add it all up it there are a lot of reasons for putting her on the ticket.

 

[insidejob]

Not sure where else to post this:

It’s Way Too Soon To Count Trump Out

Joe Biden currently has a robust lead in polls. If the election were held today, he might even win in a landslide, carrying not only traditional swing states su…

fivethirtyeight.com

I'm definitely worried about Democratic overconfidence at this stage.. long, long ways to go.

I read that this morning and feel the same as you. The Jimmy Carter example is stunning. A win is a win regardless but to go from leading polls by such a huge margin and then to only win by like 2% is crazy.

 

[bdb13]

I like outliers... I don't eat hotdogs.... I don't vote based on what they have been told is the lesser of 2 evils... I don't blindly follow ideology.... I don't have social media.... and I don't follow mainstream media story tellers....

No one knows what Harris is or isn't... and that's the point. She has no real national political long term record to pick apart. Is she tough on crime as re record as a DA indicates? Or is she all in on defunding the police? I think the voters have already stated pretty loudly in the Primary... They don't trust her... Is she going to go out and re-write the New Green deal, or is she going to snuggle up as a "moderate" like Biden is being portrayed as?

If you don't think a near 80 year old Presidential candidate's picks credentials for VP doesn't mean anything in a country where 1 or 2 swing states can decide the election outcome... and it's a just a matter of you either Hate Trump or You don't.... I have bad news for you.

I think her not being particularly defined nationally probably works to their benefit, and I'd venture to guess that the presence of a black female on the ticket will help with turn out amongst black voters.

She's flawed for sure, but they weren't choosing from a list of individuals without any and I don't think hers are particularly egregious to the point where she'll become a liability for Biden.

 

[efil4]

I like outliers... I don't eat hotdogs.... I don't vote based on what they have been told is the lesser of 2 evils... I don't blindly follow ideology.... I don't have social media.... and I don't follow mainstream media story tellers....

No one knows what Harris is or isn't... and that's the point. She has no real national political long term record to pick apart. Is she tough on crime as re record as a DA indicates? Or is she all in on defunding the police? I think the voters have already stated pretty loudly in the Primary... They don't trust her... Is she going to go out and re-write the New Green deal, or is she going to snuggle up as a "moderate" like Biden is being portrayed as?

If you don't think a near 80 year old Presidential candidate's picks credentials for VP doesn't mean anything in a country where 1 or 2 swing states can decide the election outcome... and it's a just a matter of you either Hate Trump or You don't.... I have bad news for you.

What she is now is the VP candidate on the Biden ticket. Ultimately, she works w/ POTUS but doesnt shape POTUS ideals. Its why they are commonly referred to as a "running MATE".

My mate has her on views but also listens to mine. We work together in times of uncertainty and problems toward a solution. Sometimes my ideas (ideals ) take precedent, other times hers. Most of the time we compromise and our ideas/ideals are an amalgamation.

thats precisely what we have here. He has his sounding board but at the end of the day, he will make the decision. Thats what voters like myself look for and can understand. I put more importance on who the POTUS surrounds himself ( or herself ) with than the individual candidate. How is SHE going to rewrite the NEW Green deal?? Last i checked, the VP doesnt hold that ability.

Thats why in 2016 i was willing to give Trump just a smidge of a chance...until he began naming his cabinet/staff. Thats when it was clear that this is nothing more than a reality show.

all these questions you have will be answered in the coming weeks. Not sure why you insist on having answers to these questions today.

 

[insidejob]

A prepared Harris is going to make Pence wet his pants during the debates, IMO.

 

[Booker]

Here are a couple of takes from anti-Trump conservatives on why they like the pick. I think their comments reinforce the perception of Harris not just as a "do no harm" running mate, but also one that can continue to help Biden ply people from the middle.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/08/11/kamala-harris-was-joe-bidens-boldest-most-qualified-pick/

 

[Mr. Blue Sky]

if you are "middle of the road and undecided" after the last 3.75 years that needs turning, then VP pick wasnt going to be the "turning point".

What i dont get is all that are hung up on "well she really hasnt held office/ran for office". She currently is a member of 5 Senate committees -

• Senate Committee on the Budget
• Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
  Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management, Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations subcommittees
• Senate Committee on the Judiciary
  the Constitution, Intellectual Property subcommittees
• Senate Select Committee on Intelligence

Not sub committess- Standing committees - the most influential being Budget and Intelligence.

You really didnt need to put that much effort into your post.. Anyone who says that Kamala “hasn’t held office/ran for office” can be shut down super-duper quick.. Just tell them a) She has run for office, as recently as last year and b) What ****ing governing experience has the CURRENT occupant of the Oval Office Ever had?? ZERO... and it’s showing with his non-handling of the pandemic.

If anyone asks why Trump gets a pass for never having held office, tell them he DOESNT.. at least he gets no pass from me, and I’m willing to bet there are millions of voters in November who wont give him a pass.

 

[cuddlemonkey]

I edited it before you responded.... others responded to the additions I made before you asked the question... (I did so to add substance for real conversation - not to appease you).

As per usual, since my response wasn't what you wanted to hear... here we are............ again.

Look man, I have had this discussion with nearly everyone here in earnest - except you.

There is no logical way you can tell me she is experienced.... not that I care... because the spirit of my question had more to do with - Why choose lack of experience? Than if it was even a question that she lacked experience... because she does lack experience.

Nothing I posted was disingenuous, nor did it lack logic or substance... It just doesn't match how you feel about it... which is fine.... let's talk about why that is in earnest... instead of having the same tired back and forth, and adding nothing to the discussion, but rather just trying to punch holes in my posts because you disagree?

You keep saying she lacks experience, but you aren't demonstrating it. She has sixteen years of public service under her belt, including 3.5 years in the US Senate where she serves on very influential committees and is known for her work ethic, preparedness, and integrity.

What would she need to do in her political career for you to consider her experienced?

 

[Taurus]

I like outliers... I don't eat hotdogs.... I don't vote based on what they have told me is the lesser of 2 evils... I don't blindly follow ideology.... I don't have social media.... and I don't follow mainstream media story tellers....

No one knows what Harris is or isn't... and that's the point. She has no real national political long term record to pick apart. Is she tough on crime as her record as a DA indicates? Or is she all in on defunding the police? I think the voters have already stated pretty loudly in the Primary... They don't trust her... Is she going to go out and re-write the New Green deal, or is she going to snuggle up as a "moderate" like Biden is being portrayed as?

If you don't think a near 80 year old Presidential candidate's picks' credentials for VP doesn't mean anything in a country where 1 or 2 swing states can decide the election outcome... and it's a just a matter of you either Hate Trump or You don't.... I have bad news for you.

Oh, and In case some of you don't know... I never vote Democrat or Republican in Presidential elections ever... I refuse to do so until we are given a 3rd option that doesn't include the equivalent of cutting my foot off to save my leg... besides that... any vote I cast in the super Red state of Louisiana... means very little to the outcome.... I'd rater push my vote to any 3rd party and have a clear conscisnce and hopefully one day promote enough support for any other option than "Here are 2 puppets we choose to represent our party, yeah, they both suck... but you have no choice but to choose one, suckers".

Rather than continue to waste your vote on something that's mathematically guaranteed never to happen, why not vote for whoever pushes ranked-choice voting?

Changing our system from the binary one we have to a multi-party method is IMHO the single most important thing we can do. (Outside of ridding ourselves of Trump)

 

[V Chip]

She has no real national political long term record to pick apart.

Were you serious when saying you would like Gabbard? Or was that just a "well I think she's hot" shtick?

Because Harris' experience runs circles around Gabbard's.

 

[Heathen]

I have hope that Kamala will at least give more consideration to MFA or at least dropping Medicare eligibility age. Healthcare is a national crisis in this country, arguably a national security crisis, yet we've been conditioned to think it like overpaying for medication or never ending war is normal.

 

[Complex Kid]

What i dont get is all that are hung up on "well she really hasnt held office/ran for office". -

And say that with a straight face when you know they voted for a guy to be President who's previous experience was game show host/failed casino operator.

 

[Infoman]

Rather than continue to waste your vote on something that's mathematically guaranteed never to happen, why not vote for whoever pushes ranked-choice voting?

Changing our system from the binary one we have to a multi-party method is IMHO the single most important thing we can do. (Outside of ridding ourselves of Trump)

I would certainly support a candidate that championed ranked choice (I think we have had that discussion already)... As long as they don't also ride on one of the imminently colliding opposite ends of the political crazy train.

As of now... our choices are limited to which liar and thief is telling the lies you want to hear, and stealing from the people you don't like....

I am not voting for that shirt anymore... It's ridiculous... I literally hear Americans rationalize their vote by the thought process the equivalent of - "Well, being bent over a barrel with lube, is better than being bent over it dry"! And I am here screaming... "Stop letting them bend you over"! LOL

And if everyone would stop allowing these people to divide us over fringe hot button / emotion inducing issues, and instead force them (by vote) to deliver what damn near 3/4 of all Americans would agree on (and yeah, we agree on a lot more than we disagree on in general as a nation)... while dropping labels... maybe we could push this country forward...

You know how I feel... the Presidential election should be done like an episode of "The Masked Singer".

 

[Infoman]

Were you serious when saying you would like Gabbard? Or was that just a "well I think she's hot" shtick?

Because Harris' experience runs circles around Gabbard's.

I wasn't really trying to compare Gabbard and Harris as potential VP picks... I thought it was great how She undressed and flogged Harris during the Primaries, and exposed her for who she is... I like Gabbard's stances on most things way more than Harris'... I think Gabbard has integrity, and a genuine care for the American people... I think Harris is the opposite of that... I think she is the typical politician that would say one thing today to get her way, and say the opposite tomorrow if it was to her advantage... She has proven that. That's was all I was getting at. (not a direct experience comparison for the VP pick - just some context)

 

[rajncajn]

I would certainly support a candidate that championed ranked choice (I think we have had that discussion already)... As long as they don't also ride on one of the imminently colliding opposite ends of the political crazy train.

As of now... our choices are limited to which liar and thief is telling the lies you want to hear, and stealing from the people you don't like....

I am not voting for that shirt anymore... It's ridiculous... I literally hear Americans rationalize their vote by thought process the equivalent of - "Well, being bent over a barrel with lube, is better than being bent over it dry"! And I am here screaming... "Stop letting them bend you over"! LOL

And if everyone would stop allowing these people divide us over fringe hot button / emotion inducing issues, and instead force them (by vote) to deliver what damn near 3/4 of all Americans would agree on (and yeah, we agree on a lot more than we disagree on in general as a nation)... while dropping labels... maybe we could push this country forward...

You know how I feel... the Presidential election should be done like an episode of "The Masked Singer".

You're not the only one that feels that way. I'd rather "waste my vote" for someone whom I can support than blindly vote party lines or try to get points by casting my vote for a "winner." Our two party system and the horrible people they prop up will never change unless we make our voices heard by not giving them our endorsement.