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brooklynite

(93,859 posts)
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 12:11 PM Aug 2020

Karen Bass renounces her praise for Fidel Castro

Source: Politico

Rep. Karen Bass on Sunday walked back 2016 comments praising Cuban leader Fidel Castro, as scrutiny of her views toward the Communist government threatened her potential selection as former Vice President Joe Biden's running mate.

On “Fox News Sunday,“ the California Democrat faced questions about several visits to Cuba in the 1970s and a statement she released after Castro's 2016 death saying that "the passing of the Comandante en Jefe is a great loss to the people of Cuba.”

Bass told Fox host Chris Wallace that her perspective "developed over time" and that she now understood that the Castro government "was a brutal regime." Bass said that she spoke with colleagues from Florida who raised concerns about her comments and that she "would not do that again, for sure."

"I absolutely would have not put that statement out," she said.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/02/karen-bass-fidel-castro-390413



I'd say the VP train has moved past her for multiple reasons.
45 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Karen Bass renounces her praise for Fidel Castro (Original Post) brooklynite Aug 2020 OP
Yuppers... git out that ol' fork. 3Hotdogs Aug 2020 #1
I think I'm looking at it from the "she's the pick" jimfields33 Aug 2020 #2
You don't take away THOSE TWO talking points Ferrets are Cool Aug 2020 #17
Yeah, a bit too scary. NO SURPRISES please. lagomorph777 Aug 2020 #45
Why pick someone with that baggage? Happy Hoosier Aug 2020 #28
yeah, this Withywindle Aug 2020 #44
Yo man... that's deep. LanternWaste Aug 2020 #35
Regardless jcgoldie Aug 2020 #3
Right, & the combo of both of those things will be plenty of fodder for the repugs onetexan Aug 2020 #30
2016 was not long ago. That's it for her. Biden's not going to risk Florida. RelativelyJones Aug 2020 #4
What an absolute imbecile. Codeine Aug 2020 #5
Bernie was attacked by Republicans and Democrats for simply praising Cuba's literacy program. sop Aug 2020 #6
She makes Joe look more moderate. Laelth Aug 2020 #10
I really like Karen Bass PatSeg Aug 2020 #7
Not even close to acceptable rlexx Aug 2020 #8
has Trump renounced his praise for Putin, North Korea leader? Demovictory9 Aug 2020 #9
Is Trump the measuring stick for choosing a Democratic running mate? jcgoldie Aug 2020 #11
Looking more like Rice or Duckworth. jalan48 Aug 2020 #12
FWIW (my 2 cents) - I agree with you on BOTH those picks! n/t MFGsunny Aug 2020 #31
Look to Susan Rice for the Veep berni_mccoy Aug 2020 #13
don't need any Rev Wright like distracions as Biden has other better choices beachbumbob Aug 2020 #14
What about her praise for $cientology? Miguelito Loveless Aug 2020 #15
I'd rather she addressed that than Castro, actually. Coventina Aug 2020 #42
Please NO Ferrets are Cool Aug 2020 #16
I think it's down to Harris and Rice. hamsterjill Aug 2020 #18
I also musclecar6 Aug 2020 #19
Obama overcame the Reverand Wright issue. Karen Bass can overcome this -- if we let her. If we all KPN Aug 2020 #20
Let's let her move up in the ranks and put this behind her (which it will be sooner rather than CTyankee Aug 2020 #22
Not really the same thing. The Obama Wright thing was more bs and it was mostly about Obama JI7 Aug 2020 #32
You are entitled to your opinion just as I expressed mine. KPN Aug 2020 #37
"I'd say the VP train has moved past her for multiple reasons." Gilbert Moore Aug 2020 #21
She's a Smart Person, but... NonPC Aug 2020 #23
I'd say so.. ananda Aug 2020 #24
Coming on the heels of the news of her Scientology praise, not good for her VP slot chances. SunSeeker Aug 2020 #25
non-starter - selection folk should've nixed this from the jump - makes ya wonder... bringthePaine Aug 2020 #26
Just say no to Bass Mz Pip Aug 2020 #27
What about her tax evasion and money laundering ? rickford66 Aug 2020 #29
? JI7 Aug 2020 #33
I tried to compare her one gaff to Trump's crimes. rickford66 Aug 2020 #34
No. Point made. KPN Aug 2020 #39
Any eventual veep pick will have an albatross hung around their neck. LanternWaste Aug 2020 #36
enough of this gal already Skittles Aug 2020 #38
Either way, she wasn't saying anything that wasn't true. I'm more concerned with the ... marble falls Aug 2020 #40
I like Karen Bass a lot but its going to cost us Florida, but if she is a brilliant campaigner NNguyenMD Aug 2020 #41
No, She could mess Biden up videohead5 Aug 2020 #43

jimfields33

(15,462 posts)
2. I think I'm looking at it from the "she's the pick"
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 12:22 PM
Aug 2020

It seems like cleaning up two issues is a smart strategy. She’s out in front of them and taking away the talking points. I think it’s brilliant!

Ferrets are Cool

(21,063 posts)
17. You don't take away THOSE TWO talking points
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 01:30 PM
Aug 2020

They will never go away when it comes to a voting population. We don't need to spend our time explaining away our choices from just a few short years ago.

Happy Hoosier

(7,080 posts)
28. Why pick someone with that baggage?
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 04:38 PM
Aug 2020

Last edited Mon Aug 3, 2020, 08:10 AM - Edit history (1)

They’d be betting the farm on a vulnerable candidate for little gain that I can see.

Withywindle

(9,988 posts)
44. yeah, this
Mon Aug 3, 2020, 04:32 AM
Aug 2020

Fidel Castro and Scientology? Really?

What are the pros for her that outweigh THAT? We're not desperate. We have a DEEP pool of talent, especially among women of color. What positive does she bring to the table that's that powerful? When we could have Harris or Abrams or Rice or Duckworth or any number of highly qualified candidates.

jcgoldie

(11,584 posts)
3. Regardless
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 12:23 PM
Aug 2020

I think this is enough not to choose Karen Bass. Polls show Biden competitive or even leading slightly in FLA. Florida alone would bring the presidency for Democrats. Stirring anti-Castro Cuban hornets there is not a good plan when you have so many good candidates.

Politically I think this is way worse than the stupid Scientology thing.

onetexan

(12,994 posts)
30. Right, & the combo of both of those things will be plenty of fodder for the repugs
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 05:47 PM
Aug 2020

Pick Kamala Joe!!

 

Codeine

(25,586 posts)
5. What an absolute imbecile.
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 12:26 PM
Aug 2020

Messaging aside, I don’t want someone dumb enough to even think such nonsense.

sop

(9,946 posts)
6. Bernie was attacked by Republicans and Democrats for simply praising Cuba's literacy program.
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 12:27 PM
Aug 2020

Representative Bass said and did a lot more than that. She'll have a hard time distancing herself from this.

Laelth

(32,017 posts)
10. She makes Joe look more moderate.
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 12:35 PM
Aug 2020

Don’t know whether that’s good or not, but it’s true.



-Laelth

PatSeg

(46,804 posts)
7. I really like Karen Bass
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 12:30 PM
Aug 2020

and for some reason, I thought the Castro comments were a long time ago. 2016 is like yesterday. I think this is a disqualifier.

rlexx

(59 posts)
8. Not even close to acceptable
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 12:32 PM
Aug 2020

Wanting regime change for the Cuban people is one thing. Praising Castro even in death can never be acceptable.

musclecar6

(1,681 posts)
19. I also
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 01:51 PM
Aug 2020


Think it’s down to Kamala Harris or Susan Rice. Both great choices and it’s gonna be hard to choose for a Joe if in fact those are the two leading contenders for him. Both are smart take no prisoners types and would have no problem stepping into the role of President on day one.

KPN

(15,587 posts)
20. Obama overcame the Reverand Wright issue. Karen Bass can overcome this -- if we let her. If we all
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 02:03 PM
Aug 2020

on the other hand, throw her under the bus, then she probably can't.

I've been fairly impressed with what I've learned about Karen Bass and think she would make an excellent pick -- with or without this "controversy". We all have said things that upon further reflection or enlightenment we would take back or change our view on. That includes everybody present and past.

If you don't think Karen Bass is the right candidate for numerous reasons, fine, but don't throw her under the bus out of fear for how the Rs will play this one statement. They are going to play everything as well as a bunch of made up stuff on everybody -- we all know that. It's unavoidable. Buck up!

CTyankee

(63,771 posts)
22. Let's let her move up in the ranks and put this behind her (which it will be sooner rather than
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 02:33 PM
Aug 2020

later if for no other reason that the Castro thing was YEARS and YEARS ago.

JI7

(89,175 posts)
32. Not really the same thing. The Obama Wright thing was more bs and it was mostly about Obama
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 08:42 PM
Aug 2020

needing to convince enough people white he wasn't their stereptype of some black people.

with Karen bass it's about a key demographic in a key state who are one issue voters. It's more about an issue here.

Gilbert Moore

(217 posts)
21. "I'd say the VP train has moved past her for multiple reasons."
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 02:24 PM
Aug 2020

You could make that a bus, and it backed over her instead moved past her. . .

NonPC

(270 posts)
23. She's a Smart Person, but...
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 02:38 PM
Aug 2020

I think we need someone more outspoken and charismatic (dare I say loud) -- who can go head to head with General Bonespurs and and his supporters -- and come out the winner on the evening sound bites. Quiet and subdued is nice, but we now live in an age of news being entertainment. If you are not entertainment, then you are ignored. I may not like 100% of Kamala Harris, but she will kick ass and take names and get the message out. But whoever the pick is, we ALL have to put away our complaints and support them 100% -- all the time.

SunSeeker

(51,369 posts)
25. Coming on the heels of the news of her Scientology praise, not good for her VP slot chances.
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 02:48 PM
Aug 2020

Looking like it will be Biden - Harris.

Mz Pip

(27,404 posts)
27. Just say no to Bass
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 04:25 PM
Aug 2020

I’m good with everyone else but I think Bass would be a huge mistake.

Praising Scientology? Geez and now this Castro crap.

No. Just no.

 

LanternWaste

(37,748 posts)
36. Any eventual veep pick will have an albatross hung around their neck.
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 09:06 PM
Aug 2020

Right wing jackals are efficient at creating these simplistic points on which to hang their hatred from.

Hell... they had 20% of the country believing Obama wasn't a citizen, and had the same half-wits believing that Kerry, a decorated war hero, had shirked his duty. And for their purposes, it all stuck as it was supposed to.

So at the end of the day, it matters little those jackals... the idiots will always find something, real or imagined, and hammer it with all the force that their hatred can muster.

marble falls

(56,358 posts)
40. Either way, she wasn't saying anything that wasn't true. I'm more concerned with the ...
Sun Aug 2, 2020, 10:27 PM
Aug 2020

retraction of her opinions than I am with the sentiments. Good bad indifferent, "the passing of the Comandante en Jefe is a great loss to the people of Cuba.” I'm not a Fidel Castro kind of guy, but the Cubans who stayed in Cuba seemed to support him. When the Russians got tired of the USSR it only took three days to come down, East Germany collapsed in days, Ceausescu fell in the middle of a speech. The Cubans kept el lider in office for decades and he died in his own bed.

NNguyenMD

(1,259 posts)
41. I like Karen Bass a lot but its going to cost us Florida, but if she is a brilliant campaigner
Mon Aug 3, 2020, 12:22 AM
Aug 2020

then it might make up in other areas to mitigate the cost of losing Florida.

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