Biden says Trump is America's first 'racist' president
Source: Washington Post
Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, on Wednesday called President Trump the countrys first racist to be elected to the White House.
The former vice presidents blunt assessment came during a virtual town hall organized by the Service Employees International Union after a health-care worker expressed concern that Trump continues to blame Asians for the coronavirus pandemic.
Biden signaled that he shared the questioners concern that Trump frequently refers to the pandemic as the China virus, saying, the way he deals with people based on the color of their skin, their national origin, where theyre from, is absolutely sickening.
No sitting president has ever done this, Biden said. Never, never, never. No Republican president has done this. No Democratic president. Weve had racists, and theyve existed, theyve tried to get elected president. Hes the first one that has.
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/biden-says-trump-is-americas-first-racist-president/2020/07/22/867017e8-cc4b-11ea-bc6a-6841b28d9093_story.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=wp_politics
mahatmakanejeeves
(57,472 posts)hlthe2b
(102,285 posts)dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)If you want the low down on out racist history, read the Imperial Cruise.
The background of the book is when Teddy took a Presidential cruise to Asia. His daughter Alice was the
Ivanka of the day, tho much more personable.
Lots of newspaper clippings, some of them most people have no idea about.
lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)Reagan was equally racist, but he generally used coded language.
berni_mccoy
(23,018 posts)Slave owner presidents.
intrepidity
(7,302 posts)Igel
(35,317 posts)Polybius
(15,423 posts)The Founders were open white supremacists. Lincoln openly hated Native Americans.
Dial H For Hero
(2,971 posts)texasleo
(11,298 posts)Just accept the message ffs
mahatmakanejeeves
(57,472 posts)Right -- I'm disloyal.
Trump might be the most openly racist president in one hundred years, but he is in no way the first racist president.
If Biden said that the Beach Boys recorded "Sgt. Pepper," would I have to agree?
Facts matter.
mahatmakanejeeves
Soxfan58
(3,479 posts)Its called Pet Sounds!
mahatmakanejeeves
(57,472 posts)I can't disagree with your assertion.
Thanks for writing.
Steelrolled
(2,022 posts)always parsing. Of course those other were racist. Yet trump is the one who said racists are "fine people". Openly. Well, Jefferson wasn't so racist when it came to Sally Heming but that's another story. All mentioned are hypocrites from Jackson's 'Trail of Tears' to this current one "fine people on both sides quote. And now taking people off American streets and disappearing them. First openly fascist-dictator wannabe.
Eugene
(61,899 posts)Getting the message right, so that the right-wingers can't pick it apart, matters.
thesquanderer
(11,989 posts)We know Biden is a sloppy off-the-cuff speaker. And there's a reason he has the gaffe reputation he does. We know what we're getting. Obviously I'll vote for him happily... I believe he's a good man who will do good things (and I'd vote for a turnip over Trump). But I still wish we could have put up someone I'd have felt more enthusiastic about, whether Warren on the left, or Pete to stick with someone more moderate. It would have been wonderful to have had great communicator with a real mastery of the language (and, obviously, the policies). But Joe is good enough, and he'll have to be.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)thesquanderer
(11,989 posts)But if those were your feelings if, say, Sanders or Warren or Pete were the nominee, I would not be similarly dismissive of them. Anyone is entitled to wish we had a nominee s/he felt more enthusisastic about. As Aretha said, r-e-s-p-e-c-t.
But thanks for the unexpected pic of Tea Leoni, she always makes me smile.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)All I'm trying to say is that the constant moaning... and groaning... and whining... and griping... and belly-aching serves no good purpose. That type of behavior is counterproductive and it deserves to be dismissed and ridiculed and discouraged.
How does it help our cause for anyone to continually be expressing sadness and regret that Biden is our party's nominee? How does it motivate people when they hear such overwrought distress such as "I'll vote for him, but..."; or "I guess we'll have to settle..."; or "he's the lesser of two evils..."; or "we're stuck with him..."; or "he's doesn't excite me", etc. etc.
All those things are just a few of the back-handed, passive-aggressive insults and smears that we keep hearing from people who demand that their feelings be respected.
People need to ask themselves: What's more important? Being able to continually express disappointment and regret? Or getting people motivated to get out and vote for Biden?
This is all very Sarandonesque in my opinion. All these veiled insults and negative comments that are cloaked with "I'm just disappointed, you must respect my feelings" are toxic and harmful. The lessons of the past are already being forgotten (or willfully ignored).
Here's the thing: The overt expressions of "regret" and continued nitpicking and words of disappointment (and having to "settle'') only serve to create an atmosphere of negativity. That negativity generates apathy. Apathy discourages voter turnout. Low voter turnout gives Republicans a chance to steal the elections.
thesquanderer
(11,989 posts)...which prompted me to join the discussion to say, we knew this is what we were getting. This is a discussion board, and I think this was a perfectly fair and reasonable point to make without being dismissed or disrespected.
There has been no "constant moaning... and groaning... and whining... and griping... and belly-aching..." from me -- I think this may even be the first thing I've posted about Biden since he clinched the nomination. Don't come after me because others have offended you. I make one post, and your tarring me with apparently a whole bunch of others.
When the campaign was essentially down to Biden and Sanders, I posted the following to explain why I thought Biden was the better choice, despite my harder left leanings. https://www.democraticunderground.com/1287672216
So, no butt hurt here. That doesn't mean I can't wish things had worked out more to my liking.
I would not be similarly dismissive of them.
Really? Is that so? Then why all the pouting
Even if I accepted your characterization of that post as a pout, how on earth does such a pout in any way indicate that I would not be respectful if the shoe were on the other foot??
Here's the thing: The overt expressions of "regret" and continued nitpicking and words of disappointment (and having to "settle'') only serve to create an atmosphere of negativity. That negativity generates apathy. Apathy discourages voter turnout. Low voter turnout gives Republicans a chance to steal the elections.
I am pretty sure that there is not one person reading my post here on Democratic Underground who is the slightest bit less likely to vote for Biden because of my post.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)Also, if things had turned out differently, you actually wouldn't need to be "respectful" or "sympathetic" because I can assure you that the Biden supporters wouldn't be having public pity-parties or showering negativity and doubt on the Democratic nominee.
I can definitely assure anyone that the sour attitude shown here isn't going to convince anyone to vote for Biden. (Can you imagine: "Vote for Biden. I have no idea why he was nominated. He wasn't as good as [Other Candidate], but we're stuck with him, so if you think about it, and if you're not busy on Election day, maybe consider voting for him."
Again, I'll repeat what I said earlier:
The overt expressions of "regret" and continued nitpicking and words of disappointment (and having to "settle'') only serve to create an atmosphere of negativity. That negativity generates apathy. Apathy discourages voter turnout. Low voter turnout gives Republicans a chance to steal the elections.
What's more important? Having one's ego continually validated and stoked... and being soothed and pitied because of their hard feelings and disappointment? OR... Is WINNING more important?
thesquanderer
(11,989 posts)You're awfully presumtuous to tell me what I "know perfectly well." Check my posts. (And recs, if there's a way to do that.) I'm not here as much as I used to be, and when I am, I'm following other stuff. I know of no such "ongoing chorus." I have not seen the other threads you are talking about. I was responding only to what was in this one, in the spirit of this being a discussion board and having what I thought to be a valid perspective.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)All I can tell you is this: It's not a good idea to play games with me. I really have very little patience for the "who meee?" act with wide-eyes and raised-eyebrows.
We're all adults here, and it really shouldn't take THAT long to get over it. There's really no need for anyone to be so emotionally invested in any one candidate.
Why contribute to the negativity? Why keep expressing doubts and misgivings? Why keep seeking comfort and solace and validation? These are legitimate questions.
thesquanderer
(11,989 posts)You're awfully presumtuous to tell me what I "know perfectly well."
Please don't call me names. I haven't called you names. Why do you feel entitled to do that to me?
I know of no such "ongoing chorus." I have not seen the other threads you are talking about.
So, if you haven't seen it, therefore it must not exist, eh?
I didn't say that if I didn't see something, it does not exist. But you were trying to make a point by saying I would "know perfectly well that...{my} post is part of the ongoing chorus"... you seemed to be seeing my post in a context of such other posts, assuming I was aware of them, so I was explaining that your premise was false, and that in fact I was not aware of any such chorus. (I did not deny it exists, but even now, I am only taking your word that it does, since, as I said, I have not seen it.)
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)Let me repeat again, for the third time: The constant negativity and expressions of regret and resentment and misgivings only serve to create an atmosphere of negativity. That negativity generates apathy. Apathy discourages voter turnout. Low voter turnout gives Republicans a chance to steal the elections.
What I'm saying is this: The time for wound-licking, and tail-tucking, and pouting and cave-dwelling is over. It's time to fight the GOP.
still_one
(92,216 posts)trump a racist, and some want to dilute THAT message because it isnt all inclusive
Just maddening because he didnt include others
We are currently dealing with trump, not Wilson, Jackson, etc
totodeinhere
(13,058 posts)AllTooEasy
(1,260 posts)To prevent him from saying ignorant SHIT like this. He was my candidate during the primaries, and he's still my choice now.
rpannier
(24,329 posts)A white female candidate or a minority male, or even hell, a white male is unable to prevent this
Response to brooklynite (Original post)
Post removed
caraher
(6,278 posts)Trump wins some kind of prize for openly embracing a certain style of racism but he is far from the first racist president.
Bleacher Creature
(11,257 posts)Trump is the first openly racist President of the post-Civil War era, which is notable, but he's not the first ever.
That said, I'd very much welcome a protracted national discussion on where he falls on the pantheon of racists.
totodeinhere
(13,058 posts)Wilson, Nixon and Reagan were documented racists. among others.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/07/31/ronald-reagan-racist-conversation-richard-nixon/1876134001/
Bleacher Creature
(11,257 posts)I remember listening to that conversation when it was first released and it was nauseating.
And who can forget that Reagan's first public speech after becoming the nominee in 1980 was in Philadelphia, Mississippi.
Buckeye_Democrat
(14,855 posts)I forgive you, though.
Polybius
(15,423 posts)Unfortunately he wont be the last either.
yaesu
(8,020 posts)regnaD kciN
(26,044 posts)...but that's because he's the first Republican president this past decade.
OneCrazyDiamond
(2,032 posts)Society was different for the other racist presidents. Even LBJ, who did great things to shut down codified racism had a trouble racial history.
http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/lyndon-johnson-civil-rights-racism
totodeinhere
(13,058 posts)I think he will have to walk that comment back. And that's fine. Anyone can stick their foot in their mouth from time to time.
rpannier
(24,329 posts)It would be best to walk it back
Normally I'd say to ignore it and let it die
But, in this day-and-age letting it drop can be worse because there are hundreds of people that will keep it alive
cstanleytech
(26,293 posts)Politicub
(12,165 posts)But, Trump will probably say hes the first president who isnt a racist. He always trades in superlatives.
LiberalArkie
(15,716 posts)totodeinhere
(13,058 posts)We have had plenty of racist presidents, both Democrat and Republican. That doesn't excuse Trump's racism, but Trump certainly is not our first racist president.
Skittles
(153,164 posts)he is either very naive, or pandering, and they both suck
uncle ray
(3,156 posts)let trump point out how racist his party has historically been as his defense. let the republicans be the ones who say "nuh uh, we've been racists all along!"
Buckeye_Democrat
(14,855 posts)He's even dumber than the Republicans who think they're "educating" everyone about how Democrats were more racist long ago.
Sloumeau
(2,657 posts)There are audio recordings to prove it.
truthisfreedom
(23,148 posts)45 will end up naming repuke after repuke.
Gore1FL
(21,132 posts)But raping slaves, condoning slavery, etc. isn't "curved" away so easily.
Response to brooklynite (Original post)
Name removed Message auto-removed
Raine
(30,540 posts)earthside
(6,960 posts)Let's have this public discussion about who was the 'first racist' president.
Is it Trump? Or were there others?
This may be a calculated 'gaff' ... because it starts with the premise that Trump is a racist (which he is).
I'll love to hear Trumpicans dispute this saying, "No! Trump is not the first racist president!"