Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumBlack lawmakers get Biden's back amid 'segregationist' uproar
https://www.politico.com/story/2019/06/19/joe-biden-segregationist-comments-1370844
Senior members of the Congressional Black Caucus leaped to former Vice President Joe Bidens defense Wednesday after he touted his bipartisan work with known segregationists as a time of civility.
Progressives pounced on the remarks, and two other White House hopefuls criticized the 76-year-old Democratic presidential poll leader over his comments at a fundraiser Tuesday night. But more than a half-dozen CBC members argued that Bidens remarks were taken out of context and that the former senators call for decency is needed now more than ever.
I worked with Strom Thurmond all my life, House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.), the highest-ranking African American in Congress, said of the infamous segregationist senator. You dont have to agree with people to work with them.
Clyburn is preparing to host his annual fish fry event in South Carolina this weekend, a must-stop on the Democratic presidential circuit. Nearly all of the two-dozen Democratic hopefuls, including Biden, are set to attend.
At the fundraiser in New York, Biden pushed back at liberal critics who say hes out of touch for thinking he can work with Republicans after the hyper-partisanship of Donald Trump's presidency. Biden recalled his days in the Senate working to find consensus with hard-line segregationists like James O. Eastland of Mississippi and Herman Talmadge of Georgia.
At least there was some civility, Biden said of that era. We got things done. We didnt agree on much of anything. We got things done.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
LibFarmer
(772 posts)is that he can work with the worst of them -- and gave examples of the worst.
He didn't say he agreed with them. All the brouhaha is for nothing.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
trev
(1,480 posts)the Republicans are no longer civil.
I, too, long for the days of Bob Dole and Tip O'Neill. But they aren't coming back this time around. Maybe in the future, if we can gain control and change the atmosphere.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)Hopefully, the same people who threw John Lewis under the bus for not endorsing their sacred cow will take a hint from the CBC's playbook and, y'know... begin to focus on the substantive.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Celerity
(43,071 posts)Naked attempt at muddying the water and trying to paint this as a Berner-based thang in order to scared off any legit vetting and cast it into the no-go zone.
from the OP's article, btw
I would not want to give segregationists the currency to be at the table, Rush said. Segregationists at their core are those who believe in white superiority and black inferiority. There can be no compromise with someone in this day and time as someone who would define themselves as a segregationist.
Rush paused as he walked away and turned back to say: Did he really say that? Oh lord.
Fellow CBC member and presidential candidate Cory Booker called on Biden to apologize, taking issue with Biden making light of being called "son" and not "boy" by Eastland.
"You dont joke about calling black men boys." Booker said in a statement. "Men like James O. Eastland used words like that, and the racist policies that accompanied them, to perpetuate white supremacy and strip black Americans of our very humanity."
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
R B Garr
(16,950 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(296,780 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(296,780 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
emmaverybo
(8,144 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Kahuna7
(2,531 posts)FDR was racist.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Turin_C3PO
(13,896 posts)Doesnt make it acceptable, of course, but I dont think its fair to single out FDR.
That said, Im glad the CBC is defending Biden from this ridiculous attack.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Kahuna7
(2,531 posts)I single out FDR. He's the "liberal" icon. Whites don't get how insulting it can be to have to listen to how great FDR was. He wasn't great for everybody.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Turin_C3PO
(13,896 posts)Youre right that his policies often didnt apply to black people. I think people, including myself, forget that when we think of the New Deal, etc.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Kahuna7
(2,531 posts)even to our soldiers who were segregated while fighting WW2. I don't like to get on a soapbox about FDR because I do understand that was another time. But when Sanders and Warren stand on get on their high horse, like they have never extolled or worked with racists, I do take exception and will point out their hypocrisy.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Turin_C3PO
(13,896 posts)I heard stories where German POWs were treated better in movie theaters than American black soldiers, made to sit at the back of the theater. Sickening.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
oasis
(49,321 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
R B Garr
(16,950 posts)responsible for the things that Thurmond or other racists said simply because he worked with them.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(296,780 posts)I disagree with the overwhelming items that have come out of the mouth of Donald J. Trump. But we managed to work together with his administration to enact historic criminal justice reform, Jeffries said.
I think we here in the House Democratic Caucus have ourselves taken the position that sometimes you have to work with the opposition to the extent theyre in power without compromising your values if you can get things done.
https://www.politico.com/story/2019/06/19/joe-biden-segregationist-comments-1370844
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
R B Garr
(16,950 posts)from the CBC.
On another note, Its good to know not to take Medicare for All seriously since there is a group who says you cant work with Republicans or you will have your character assaulted.
Thanks for the link!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(296,780 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Scurrilous
(38,687 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Gothmog
(144,890 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Gothmog
(144,890 posts)This is very nice to see https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/06/20/why-joe-biden-is-so-defensive-over-his-remarks-about-segregationists/?utm_term=.ab8bb7949ad8
I think the sentiment is something that we all know in the legislative body that you work with people you dont agree with, Rep. Cedric L. Richmond (D-La.), a co-chairman of Bidens campaign, said.
The Clyburn comment in particular is helpful to Biden. If theres one friend in Congress you want to make as a Democratic presidential candidate, its probably Clyburn. He rules South Carolina Democratic politics, and South Carolina is the first early voting state with a majority black Democratic primary voters. Biden and his opponents will be campaigning in South Carolina this weekend at Clyburns famous fish fry.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden