Karen Bass walks back Castro comment amid VP vetting
Source: Politico
Rep. Karen Bass on Sunday walked back a years-old characterization of the late Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, seemingly seeking to defuse an escalating controversy as the California congresswoman contends for a spot on the 2020 Democratic presidential ticket.
In an interview on MSNBC, the five-term House lawmaker and chair of the Congressional Black Caucus addressed her decision to describe Castro as Comandante en Jefe in a statement she issued marking his death in 2016.
The Spanish phrase, which translates in English to commander in chief, has been criticized as unduly deferential to the communist strongman who presided over various human rights abuses.
I have talked to my colleagues in the House about that, and its certainly something that I would not say again, Bass said. I have always supported the Cuban people, and the relationship that Barack Obama and Biden had in their administration in terms of opening up relations.
Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/07/27/karen-bass-castro-comment-vp-vetting-382316
Bass is 67; is that the "new generation" we're looking for in 2024?
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Merlot
(9,696 posts)5 term house member from California with no national profile. Why is she being considered?
Laelth
(32,017 posts)Karen Bass is no lightweight.
-Laelth
qazplm135
(7,447 posts)Harris is being attacked primarily because she'd be a formidable candidate as the sitting VP, and I'm fairly certain others who would like to run (and their supporters) are not keen on that happening.
Merlot
(9,696 posts)That (if it were to happen) to be a mistake. If Biden didn't run in 2024, we'd need a strong VP who has made a name for herself.
Laelth
(32,017 posts)Thats what they said about Harry S. Truman.
-Laelth
Karen Bass is not Truman.
She's a fine human being who has done great things. She's not the next President of the US.
Laelth
(32,017 posts)Thats all I am saying.
-Laelth
that's not all you are saying, and it's a pretty specious comment.
Grins
(7,246 posts)This isn't that hard.
hlthe2b
(102,468 posts)Yeah, I know the Cubans of Miami will make hay, but I rather doubt the context was as laudatory as some would suggest.
hlthe2b
(102,468 posts)I do like her, but I want someone who can be both a "hard-assed bad cop" that holds the Trump ilk to count and an engaging voice and strategist. Obviously, Biden needs a good working relationship and hopefully a close connection, but he needs so much more from this particular pick.
Laelth
(32,017 posts)I suspect she hits harder than you think.
-Laelth
hlthe2b
(102,468 posts)Laelth
(32,017 posts)Karen Bass plays a very understated political game, like Obama, but she plays it well, and shes fantastically liberal. She is also under very serious consideration by Team Bidenfor good reason. She has a long and accomplished career in politics. Shes my favorite for the VP slot at this point.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_Bass
-Laelth
Callado119
(171 posts)How many Presidents, and a VP has to ready to be president on day one, have the highlight of their career being a speaker in a state legislature? Few have gone from the house of reps to be president or VP as well because people dont feel they are experienced or tested enough unless they are a sitting or for U.S. Senator or governor whos won statewide races. While Bass may be a good congresswoman, she would be the definition of a lightweight as VP. Picking someone so inexperienced when theres a highly qualified sitting us senator whos also a black women just because they think Bass will be more subservient would be tokenism and would hurt the campaign. This Cuba mess would already cost them FL, so hopefully they steer clear of her..
Laelth
(32,017 posts)California has more people than Canada, but the main point about her being Speaker is that it proves shes a leader. Nancy Pelosi, for example, is qualified to be President, I would think. Bass may have no executive branch experience, but neither did Truman when he became FDRs VP.
-Laelth
Laelth
(32,017 posts)... by Team Biden.
She is under SERIOUS consideration. Do not underestimate her. She was Speaker of the California Assembly, after all. Shes no lightweight.
-Laelth
groundloop
(11,529 posts)Calling Castro "Commander In Chief" is hardly as though she were fawning all over him. To me it sounds like a handful of Cuban republicans looking for an excuse for a fight.
And from what I've read about Karen Bass it sounds like she could be a good choice.
Laelth
(32,017 posts)Either way, she walked it back, and I am not aware of any other political baggage that haunts her.
-Laelth
getagrip_already
(14,923 posts)We need someone younger and better vetted. Sorry, she doesn't make any grade, california speaker or not. That is not exactly a paramount virtue.....
marble falls
(57,405 posts)to split hairs about????
Zeus69
(391 posts)Never was going to be the choice.
Laelth
(32,017 posts)Care to elaborate?
-Laelth
Zeus69
(391 posts)Who the choice should be, but this is a race among Harris/Demings/Rice. Thats why I feel certain it is not Bass.
I am on record that the pic has been Harris internally for quite some time. The rest is due diligence and the process.
We will know soon.
Laelth
(32,017 posts)My early support for Harris evaporated after the murder of George Floyd. Shes just not a good look for us in 2020. That and I am not looking forward to watching Republicans running ads from our primary debates showing Harris ripping up our nominee, but youre right. We will know soon enough. Personally, I am in no hurry.
-Laelth
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)but I hope that Biden will pick a strong running mate.
Progressive Jones
(6,011 posts)What does she bring to the table?
Laelth
(32,017 posts)Shes younger than Warren. She didnt attack Joe in the primaries like Harris did. Shes an African-American woman who has a good shot at becoming President if shes Bidens VP (and this will be great for turnout). Shes a strong liberal. Shes not a pro-state, pro-lock-em-up-forever former prosecutor (bad optics in 2020). She was the Speaker of the California Assembly. Shes a hard-working, no drama, behind-the-scenes leader and legislator.
Shes well worth Bidens consideration.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_Bass
-Laelth
qazplm135
(7,447 posts)your dislike of Harris than anything else.
Particularly with your BS description of her as "pro-state, pro-lock-em-up-forever."
Laelth
(32,017 posts)Its not all about Kamala, and I am very fond of Kamala, but 2020 is the year of BLM, and a former prosecutor may not be our best choice.
-Laelth
qazplm135
(7,447 posts)stop slandering two accomplished women with this BS.
JonLP24
(29,322 posts)US allies with Saudi Arabia and Biden said the Egyptian dictator isn't a dictator.
Biden: Mubarak not a dictator, protests not like Eastern Europe
https://www.google.com/amp/s/thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/140923-biden-mubarak-not-a-dictator-protests-not-like-eastern-europe%3famp