Bill Maher Defends Joe Biden: 'He's Not Harvey Weinstein'

[ucrdem]

The ‘Real Time’ host defended the former vice president against allegations of sexual misconduct on Friday.

{snip}

And then, Maher defended the indefensible: “But you know, we’re getting a little nitpicky. I mean, of course no one likes to be touched unwantingly, and women get a lot more of that than men, but the first person who brought this up said he made her feel ‘gross and uneasy.’ You know what makes me feel ‘gross and uneasy?’ A second Trump term.”

After receiving heavy applause from his crowd, he continued: “He’s not Harvey Weinstein or R. Kelly—he’s more like the TSA. And it’s getting ridiculous. A woman who came forward today said she was touched by one of his speeches.”


https://www.thedailybeast.com/bill-maher-defends-joe-biden-hes-not-harvey-weinstein?ref=scroll
..............................

Glad he didn't pile on . .

[Cha]

1. Yeah, there needs to be

some sanity after all I read about those on cable who were trying to drag him today.

Mahalo, ucr

[ucrdem]

3. Thanks, Cha!

It's one thing to privately mention to someone that there might be a problem in their style of politicking which wouldn't be easy necessarily but if Biden had genuinely bothered Lucy or Caityn I think they could have found a way. But there's no way it will have any beneficial effect doing it publicly just before the campaign launch. It's patently clear that it's a hit job with the goal of damaging Biden's reputation and his chances of winning in 2020.

So for once I agree with Maher.

[Cha]

4. Yeah, I'm sorry but

it does smell of hit job to me, too. Especially after I saw a tweet of Flores' in May 2017 where she's disingenuously bashing Hillary. I can't unsee that. Why should I trust her when she's previously lied?

And, in that realm which Biden knows exactly what's going on.. I think he's doing pretty well.

It's been talked about on here how he's looking older.. I think this past week has taken a lot out of him. But, I thinking he'll bounce back from this stronger than ever.

[ucrdem]

5. It was probably a horrible week.

But he's past it now and his teflon seems to have done its thing. Yeah he'll bounce back. One other thing is that many or most of us have to do workplace-mandated sensitivity training every year so we might be more attuned to this stuff than Biden who has always had a reputation for his "personal touch" and is probably proud of it. So this is a really low blow. But it had to come, so better to get it over with now. But it sure sucked the joy out of this last week.

[Cha]

6. Exactly.. we can

all imagine how we'd feel if something like that happened to us, after so many years of thinking you were only comforting, and cheering people on.

It would be a shock to our systems. Never having been told anything.. until years later.

[ucrdem]

7. Yeah that makes it even worse.

Here's another thing wrong this picture: we're not talking about the workplace, or marketplace, or even a public place like a park. A political event is different, and if there are camera's rolling, different still. A politician has to play his or her part to win the confidence of voters. For Biden the personal touch has worked, he's good at it, and he probably grew up with it in his family and in local politics. So the arm's length rule is like telling him he can't smile or talk, and I don't see him following it.

But other people attending political events also have roles to play so for Lucy Flores for example to pretend she was shocked, shocked to find Joe Biden behind her is insulting our intelligence. Clearly it didn't happen that way and if she really had a problem with it she's a lousy politician and shouldn't have been there in the first place. But the many pictures of her hugging other pols make clear that she DIDN'T have a problem with it, then at least.

[Demsrule86]

17. Oh I Think Flores had destroyed any political career. Can't see even Sanders hiring her now.

She is liability.

[ucrdem]

22. Yeah I doubt if she passed her screen test

I think it was the spray-on shampoo that ruined the effect. TMI.

[Demsrule86]

23. Haha

perfect!

[Socal31]

2. No, he isn't. That shouldn't evendo no be a question.

But there was a time not too long ago when saying that was not a wise career-move. I agreed with Matt Damon when he tried to articulate the same thing Bill did, but it was bad timing.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

9. So Harvey Weinstein's now the offender to whom all accused #MeToo violators should be compared

in deciding guilt or innocence?!?! Wow!! Why not just declare the #MeToo movement dead and move on?!


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[loyalsister]

10. Yes, the real damage to me too

would be to move the standard for "legitimate" report of discomfort to suit political ends by identifying the actor as the victim.
Bill Maher's misogynistic leanings also compromise his credibility.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

11. So true!! Well said!!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[Demsrule86]

16. Me too isn't about 'discomfort' but about sexual harrassment and rape and Flores

is not a victim. She is a politically motivated political operative who now sells merch and has likely destroyed me too.

[loyalsister]

20. Maybe....

If it is defined by the person who is identified as the actor and the person who experienced the interaction is erased.

[Demsrule86]

15. If it's dead, than politically motivated folks like Flores killed it.

The accusation against Biden are ridiculous.

[OhZone]

18. Yup. nt

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

21. Yeah riiight... tell that to Warren, Klobuchar, Castro, BO, Higgenlooper, et al.

They believe Flores too and support her coming forward. Heck, even Joe had kind and thoughtful words to say about Flores... and what of the five OTHER women who were brave enough to come forward with their accusations?? Guess they deserve to be summarily dismissed too... the #MeToo movement be damned?!


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[Demsrule86]

24. She is now selling merch...and he invaded my space but not sexually is

A pernicious lie. She makes my and other women's stories less likely to be believed.

[nolabear]

31. You have a lot of passion about discomfort and trauma being equivalent.

May I ask why?

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

32. LOL... good one!! NEVER said nor would EVER say they're equivalent.

Classic strawman argument... nice try though!!


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[nolabear]

33. No, seriously. I'm not trying to argue. I'm sorry if I misunderstood.

We see things differently and I’m trying to learn your perspective.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

34. Oh okay, fair enough... no worries. Have a good one!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[UniteFightBack]

12. I'm sorry I can't get past the incorrect headline where is says SEXUAL MISCONDUCT. WHO SAID THAT?NT

[Eliot Rosewater]

13. And why would a NON republican send people out to DESTROY Joe in the first place?

So sick of THIS SHIT

And all these people who ALL OF A SUDDEN care about #metoo

Not fooling me, not for one second.

[Autumn]

14. No one ever said he was.

[Uncle Joe]

19. The title of your OP could make a good campaign slogan for Biden

Joe Biden 2020 'He's Not Harvey Weinstein!


Thanks for the thread ucrdem.

[Autumn]

26. That made me laugh

Thanks for that Uncle Joe

[Demsrule86]

27. Sen. Sanders has issues with sexual harrassment from his last campaign some who worked for the

campaign allegedly engaged in this behavior. And it has also been said women were paid less than their male counterparts. I don't think he has addressed these allegations sufficiently. But in time it will happen.

[mainstreetonce]

28. Joe Biden He's not Trump

Affection Yes

Grabbing No

[BlueFlorida]

25. People are not stupid

Most Democrats can easily spot a Lee Atwater, Karl Rove, Roger Stone, David Sirota, Jeff Weaver, Tad Devine smear.

[doompatrol39]

29. Great campaign slogan

"Not Harvey Weinstein"

[dlk]

30. #MeToo is Only Destroyed if We Let It Happen

There is always backlash to change. It is never, ever easy. Women and the men who truly care about them must continue speaking up and speaking out. That is how lasting change is created and sustained.