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Here comes the smear. (Original Post) onecaliberal Apr 2020 OP
Lox? Cream Cheese? Caliman73 Apr 2020 #1
Those are schmears. JHB Apr 2020 #3
I know. Just being snarky. Caliman73 Apr 2020 #27
So was I JHB Apr 2020 #29
Live by the snark, die by the snark. Caliman73 Apr 2020 #31
. JHB Apr 2020 #46
Context free. Smear from? Smear of? What smear? So many to choose from. You can do better. . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Apr 2020 #2
smear from Tara Reade, of Joe Biden, regarding sexual assault 0rganism Apr 2020 #8
It would be nice if they remembered what happened when Kerry's campaign ignored swiftboat attacks. hedda_foil Apr 2020 #13
i'd assume some of them were there, they damn well better remember 0rganism Apr 2020 #19
The Original Post said "Here comes the smear" with an explosion emoji. It was edited AFTER questions Bernardo de La Paz Apr 2020 #37
Inferring the obvious is not difficult. You can do better... nt LanternWaste Apr 2020 #42
... And you have text in your "nt" post. Further before edit, the OP had only the title & 1 emoji.nt Bernardo de La Paz Apr 2020 #45
I thought you said smurf mercuryblues Apr 2020 #4
I once smeared peanut butter on one slice of bread and jelly on another and made a sammitch Baclava Apr 2020 #5
Meh Freethinker65 Apr 2020 #6
I feel so smug.. stillcool Apr 2020 #7
I'm pretty sure the Biden people have information on the . . Iliyah Apr 2020 #9
What do you base this on? Drunken Irishman Apr 2020 #12
You defend this unfounded allegation on every thread. There is multiple reasons that Reade is not Demsrule86 Apr 2020 #16
That wasn't the question. Drunken Irishman Apr 2020 #22
There are multiple stories about her lack or credibility from reputable sources. I might add. Biden Demsrule86 Apr 2020 #23
Biden doesn't have the luxury of not proving anything. Drunken Irishman Apr 2020 #25
Americans see through this smear by trump and far-left rockfordfile Apr 2020 #34
Do they? We don't know that. Drunken Irishman Apr 2020 #40
You conflate "I'm pretty sure" with a formal claim. LanternWaste Apr 2020 #43
That still doesn't answer the question as to how this person arrived at this conclusion. Drunken Irishman Apr 2020 #44
Yet Trump has an active rape case and multiple allegations JCMach1 Apr 2020 #10
Yes. The news reportedly the accusations in 2016... Drunken Irishman Apr 2020 #11
He is currently in court with a rape case... 2020 JCMach1 Apr 2020 #20
I mean, a quick Google shows this was covered. Drunken Irishman Apr 2020 #24
There was almost nothing about this in 2016... JCMach1 Apr 2020 #26
That just isn't true. Drunken Irishman Apr 2020 #41
but according to the republicans those allegations IcyPeas Apr 2020 #35
No need to remind DU over and over. LakeArenal Apr 2020 #14
Yep. Any others will get trashed. GoCubsGo Apr 2020 #17
Provide links or delete. This post is an attack on a Democratic leader. Much is implied but nothing Demsrule86 Apr 2020 #15
It's no coincidence the timing is a few days after Old Yeller's screaming fit. Hugin Apr 2020 #18
How is that ultimately going to help Trump - when he has ZILLIONS of accusers!! ElementaryPenguin Apr 2020 #21
It is all about voter suppression. Trump knows he will gain fuckall from peal-offs from Biden, Celerity Apr 2020 #28
The American people said this no longer matters D_Master81 Apr 2020 #30
You would think.. onecaliberal Apr 2020 #38
Interesting piece by a prosecutor.... albacore Apr 2020 #32
Putin helping his trumpy. pwb Apr 2020 #33
On the view today ABC news lady went on and on marlakay Apr 2020 #36
I turned it all off. I was listening to it on background. onecaliberal Apr 2020 #39

0rganism

(23,927 posts)
8. smear from Tara Reade, of Joe Biden, regarding sexual assault
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 01:25 PM
Apr 2020

wasn't it clear enough?

so far Biden's campaign appears to have taken the same approach regarding this allegation that Trump's administration took with coronavirus in February -- do nothing, ignore it, expect it to go away miraculously.

sorry, that is simply not going to work.

hedda_foil

(16,371 posts)
13. It would be nice if they remembered what happened when Kerry's campaign ignored swiftboat attacks.
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 01:36 PM
Apr 2020

0rganism

(23,927 posts)
19. i'd assume some of them were there, they damn well better remember
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 01:49 PM
Apr 2020

funny thing, both attacks are were pretty weak sauce in themselves, but they get a lot of amplification through mass media commentary

almost like they were originally intended simply to inoculate the GOP incumbent from certain flavors of attack, and the Democratic contender's strengths.

W was weak to charges regarding the quality of his military service, running against a genuine war hero, and turned it around with the swiftboating attack.

Trump is weak to charges of sexual predation, running against a human capable of genuine compassion and empathy. Biden could lose the election if female turnout depresses due to this allegation.

if this doesn't get addressed, by the time November rolls around, there could be 20 women making charges like this and Biden gets branded as a serial rapist.

Bernardo de La Paz

(48,955 posts)
37. The Original Post said "Here comes the smear" with an explosion emoji. It was edited AFTER questions
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 05:08 PM
Apr 2020

But I do thank you for taking the time to provide context.

 

LanternWaste

(37,748 posts)
42. Inferring the obvious is not difficult. You can do better... nt
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 06:55 PM
Apr 2020

Or simply rationalize the failure to do so.

Again.

stillcool

(32,626 posts)
7. I feel so smug..
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 01:21 PM
Apr 2020

after a lot of years, the bullsh*t that is tossed around on the tv, has zero effect on me. It feels fan-fuc*ing-tastic.

Iliyah

(25,111 posts)
9. I'm pretty sure the Biden people have information on the . .
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 01:30 PM
Apr 2020

accuser which will prove that she has a history of falsifying events.

Demsrule86

(68,456 posts)
16. You defend this unfounded allegation on every thread. There is multiple reasons that Reade is not
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 01:40 PM
Apr 2020

credible for those who are open to the truth.

 

Drunken Irishman

(34,857 posts)
22. That wasn't the question.
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 02:02 PM
Apr 2020

What's the basis for claiming Biden has something on her that will disprove her statements?

I'm also not defending her accusations. I'm suggesting this story can't be ignored and it will only continue to fester until there's an adequate response.

Look, I think Reade has a credibility issue but it doesn't matter what I think. The Biden campaign has a choice to make.

1) They deny again, with Biden publicly saying it's not true (not just via a statement). Then move on and hope the media moves on as well. But that's not a guarantee. Hell, the campaign has basically ignored it beyond a statement and the issue has only grown with more information coming out that keeps it in the news (Larry King interview, the neighbor who said Tara told her in the mid-90s, etc).

2) Grant an interview where he can deny and answer any rebuttal questions from a specific reporter. This would allow for a vetting of the issue, give Biden an opportunity to explain why it's not true but also risks making it an even bigger story, especially if he can't provide any way to discount what she's said beyond just stating over and over again that he didn't do it. If what is suggested in the initial post is true, and they have something that could discredit her, that would be a perfect opportunity to do so (like releasing info on why she was let go - maybe corroborating stories that she left on her own accord, which would cast doubt on her story). Regardless, there might not be an explanation that placates those who doubt him. So, he could use this moment to speak about who he is and how personal this fight is and all he's done for women who are abused. If it's basically down to he said/she said and they lack any evidence that counters her claim (I wasn't in office with Tara in 1993 because she was in California or Delaware or whatever), the next option would be to sell it that Biden couldn't possibly do these things because it's out of character. Whether you and I believe that is irrelevant. It's the undecided voters who now need the convincing.

3) Say nothing. Refuse to comment. State you already denied it and now are focused on other things. This is risky because it also rests on whether the media largely moves on too. It's possible, after a week or two, they do just that. It's also possible other "evidence" continues to come forward and keeps it in the news.

Right now I don't know what the answer is but it's clear this story has traction. Whatever option Biden chooses is going to be vital as the election could be in the balance (tbh I doubt it will be a major issue but I also thought this was far smaller a month ago than I think it is now, so, without predicting the future, I can't say what this will look like in a month or two - or by November).

Demsrule86

(68,456 posts)
23. There are multiple stories about her lack or credibility from reputable sources. I might add. Biden
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 02:05 PM
Apr 2020

doesn't have to prove anything. She is not credible and thus is not to be believed. But this has gone too far and I expect we will see some really nasty stuff posted about her -truthful stuff unlike the shit she spews.

 

Drunken Irishman

(34,857 posts)
25. Biden doesn't have the luxury of not proving anything.
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 02:09 PM
Apr 2020

That's not how campaigns work. He can take that approach but it doesn't guarantee the story goes away.

rockfordfile

(8,695 posts)
34. Americans see through this smear by trump and far-left
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 03:23 PM
Apr 2020

The closer the election gets and the more Biden leads there will be more crazy crap. Trump and the far-left are desperate.

 

Drunken Irishman

(34,857 posts)
40. Do they? We don't know that.
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 06:45 PM
Apr 2020

This is the first real week it's gotten full traction. Prior to this week, it was hardly reported on the national level.

 

LanternWaste

(37,748 posts)
43. You conflate "I'm pretty sure" with a formal claim.
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 06:57 PM
Apr 2020

I get it though... doing so allows you the pretense of validity you may not otherwise have.

 

Drunken Irishman

(34,857 posts)
44. That still doesn't answer the question as to how this person arrived at this conclusion.
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 07:00 PM
Apr 2020

You don't say you're pretty sure of something unless you have reason to believe it.

So, what is that reason to feel pretty sure Biden's people have info on the accuser? I asked the poster because I'd like to know. it'd make me feel better about these accusations to know Biden can move this beyond just a he said, she said ordeal.

 

Drunken Irishman

(34,857 posts)
11. Yes. The news reportedly the accusations in 2016...
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 01:35 PM
Apr 2020

It was all over the press when a few came forward.

 

Drunken Irishman

(34,857 posts)
24. I mean, a quick Google shows this was covered.
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 02:07 PM
Apr 2020

ABC News
Business Insider
New York Times

The Bloomberg article you linked to.

All these stories from 2020.

Plus, the initial claims from 2016 absolutely were news. Hell, a lot of stations led with it.

 

Drunken Irishman

(34,857 posts)
41. That just isn't true.
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 06:49 PM
Apr 2020

Trump's allegations were significant news:

26 days before the election on Good Morning America:



From CBS News in October, 2016:



From CNN News:



It dominated the news - sorry, but we can't rewrite history.

The difference is that Trump came out right from the start and denied it, going on the attack - even attacking the accusers (calling one too ugly to rape).

Biden hasn't. Biden has let it fester. We'll see if his way works better than Trump's.

IcyPeas

(21,841 posts)
35. but according to the republicans those allegations
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 03:25 PM
Apr 2020

have all been adjudicated.

case closed. because they say so.

LakeArenal

(28,802 posts)
14. No need to remind DU over and over.
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 01:38 PM
Apr 2020

We know it’s out there. We rise above that stuff. Don’t need to be reminded six threads a day.

Demsrule86

(68,456 posts)
15. Provide links or delete. This post is an attack on a Democratic leader. Much is implied but nothing
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 01:39 PM
Apr 2020

is linked.

Hugin

(33,047 posts)
18. It's no coincidence the timing is a few days after Old Yeller's screaming fit.
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 01:43 PM
Apr 2020

They're going full on Al Franken.

Never mind the serial rapist in the WH.

Celerity

(43,102 posts)
28. It is all about voter suppression. Trump knows he will gain fuckall from peal-offs from Biden,
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 03:16 PM
Apr 2020

but he wants the peal-offs to not vote or vote 3rd party.

D_Master81

(1,822 posts)
30. The American people said this no longer matters
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 03:18 PM
Apr 2020

When they elected someone with 20 allegations against them.

albacore

(2,398 posts)
32. Interesting piece by a prosecutor....
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 03:20 PM
Apr 2020

More information about the alleged Biden assault on Tara Reade...

"When women make allegations of sexual assault, my default response is to believe them. But as the news media have investigated Reade’s allegations, I’ve become increasingly skeptical. Here are some of the reasons why:..."

https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/04/29/joe-biden-sexual-assault-allegation-tara-reade-column/3046962001/

marlakay

(11,425 posts)
36. On the view today ABC news lady went on and on
Thu Apr 30, 2020, 03:40 PM
Apr 2020

Was asked what about Trumps accusers, oh yes there are 17 some for assaults and even rape, says it like it was nothing and back to story. My mouth was open.

Why does that mf get a pass on absolutely everything? 😡🤬

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Here comes the smear.