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Democratic Primaries
Showing Original Post only (View all)Joe Biden Believes in the Good Will of Republicans. Is That Naive? [View all]
Mitch McConnell, the Senate Republican leader and self-described grim reaper of liberal legislative dreams, settled into a routine of sorts during Barack Obamas second term whenever he felt he was cornered by Democrats. Mr. McConnell would rise from his chair in the Capitol, walk to his schedulers desk, smile a tight smile, and ask: Can we get Joe Biden on the phone?
...Ill work with Mitch McConnell where we can agree, Mr. Biden said this month adding that on some issues, like gun control, there was no room for compromise. That he could agree with Mr. McConnell on anything is a controversial statement for any Democrat to make these days. But in a sprawling field of 20 candidates, Mr. Biden stands out for his enduring belief in the good will of congressional Republicans. He insists that the G.O.P. has been bullied by President Trump but that civility and compromise will return to Washington once Mr. Trump is gone.
Its a view that has been branded as naïve and wistful by some Democratic rivals as well as by the ascendant left wing of his party. That criticism is particularly pointed with regard to Mr. McConnell, whose decision to block Mr. Obamas nomination of Merrick B. Garland to the Supreme Court in 2016 elevated him from mere obstructionist to arch-villain in the eyes of many Democrats.
The criticism has only intensified in recent days as Mr. McConnell has rebuffed Democratic calls to quickly move ahead with gun control legislation and lashed out at Democrats for reviving attacks on Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. As a result, many in the party say, Mr. Bidens comfortable relationship with the Senate leader is not only out of date, but dangerous.
...During a follow-up meeting in the Oval Office in early 2013, Mr. Obama pressed Mr. McConnell to work on a long-term budget package before the 2014 midterms, when he would be running for re-election in Kentucky, Mr. Reid recalled in a recent phone interview. Mr. McConnell said that was impossible Republican primary challengers could use it against incumbents.
Mr. Biden responded by saying, Mitch, we want to see you come back, Mr. Reid said.
More at https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/18/us/politics/joe-biden-mitch-mcconnell.html?searchResultPosition=1
...Ill work with Mitch McConnell where we can agree, Mr. Biden said this month adding that on some issues, like gun control, there was no room for compromise. That he could agree with Mr. McConnell on anything is a controversial statement for any Democrat to make these days. But in a sprawling field of 20 candidates, Mr. Biden stands out for his enduring belief in the good will of congressional Republicans. He insists that the G.O.P. has been bullied by President Trump but that civility and compromise will return to Washington once Mr. Trump is gone.
Its a view that has been branded as naïve and wistful by some Democratic rivals as well as by the ascendant left wing of his party. That criticism is particularly pointed with regard to Mr. McConnell, whose decision to block Mr. Obamas nomination of Merrick B. Garland to the Supreme Court in 2016 elevated him from mere obstructionist to arch-villain in the eyes of many Democrats.
The criticism has only intensified in recent days as Mr. McConnell has rebuffed Democratic calls to quickly move ahead with gun control legislation and lashed out at Democrats for reviving attacks on Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. As a result, many in the party say, Mr. Bidens comfortable relationship with the Senate leader is not only out of date, but dangerous.
...During a follow-up meeting in the Oval Office in early 2013, Mr. Obama pressed Mr. McConnell to work on a long-term budget package before the 2014 midterms, when he would be running for re-election in Kentucky, Mr. Reid recalled in a recent phone interview. Mr. McConnell said that was impossible Republican primary challengers could use it against incumbents.
Mr. Biden responded by saying, Mitch, we want to see you come back, Mr. Reid said.
More at https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/18/us/politics/joe-biden-mitch-mcconnell.html?searchResultPosition=1
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Joe Biden Believes in the Good Will of Republicans. Is That Naive? [View all]
BeyondGeography
Sep 2019
OP
Nothing in that article talks about Biden's present opinion of republicans or McConnell...
George II
Sep 2019
#1
Oh so now, Joe has to denounce any and every opinion he had...going back how long I wonder.
Demsrule86
Sep 2019
#21
sure they can...you have nothing current...and I for one want a candidate who will try to work with
Demsrule86
Sep 2019
#27
It's your advice, Hon, not mine. Got called out on committing your own 'selective outrage"
ehrnst
Sep 2019
#68
RethugliKKKans are not our friends... Joe needs to get this. This is fuckin' war!!
InAbLuEsTaTe
Sep 2019
#18
if there is one thing all of us should have learned by now, even the dumbest among us, is that
yaesu
Sep 2019
#9
OK, say we nominate Biden based on the belief that only he can beat Trump. What if
in2herbs
Sep 2019
#16
Oh please keep it up...all this complete foolishness only helps Joe...but again if we don't ever
Demsrule86
Sep 2019
#20
I looked carefully...nothing in there about Biden ending the filibuster
BeyondGeography
Sep 2019
#32
He won't annouce it...for heavens sake. But mark my words if that is the only way he will get
Demsrule86
Sep 2019
#33
That's in the past. Everytime he reaches BACK he gets in trouble. These present-day repugs...
brush
Sep 2019
#25
We can do nothing until we have a majority...and trying is not a bad way to begin...I admire Joe
Demsrule86
Sep 2019
#34
You do mean trying to get a majority in the Senate, right? Counting on repugs is a dead end.
brush
Sep 2019
#40
I mean both...there are two years before we can possibly get the Senate...and it is hard to win
Demsrule86
Sep 2019
#44
We're fighting with them now and have been so what's the difference? We have to hold the House...
brush
Sep 2019
#63
I don't know that he thinks they will cooperate...but we need to try...I think it will continue to
Demsrule86
Sep 2019
#65
No it isn't...and I prefer Biden's way of thinking...but feel free to make er your views on
Demsrule86
Sep 2019
#35
You can prefer Biden's way. The rest of us live in a reality where Repubs oppose us at every turn.
LonePirate
Sep 2019
#36
So we throw up our hands and give up...just spend four years accomplishing nothing? We won't win
Demsrule86
Sep 2019
#45
The presidential candidates have to campaign on flipping the Senate or they will accomplish nothing.
LonePirate
Sep 2019
#59
I think there will be pressure to get some stuff done...if not we try and run on the do nothing
Demsrule86
Sep 2019
#66
Yes. He should seen how they have been acting lately, with rump and them running roughshod...
SWBTATTReg
Sep 2019
#28
I don't agree, since Dems know that he'll get great talent and expertise from the best in government
ancianita
Sep 2019
#41
What a nasty thought...you should delete that ...don't see any indication that Biden thinks his
Demsrule86
Sep 2019
#46
Civility and compromise were gone long before Trump. I can't think of a single living Republican
Autumn
Sep 2019
#48
Elizabeth Warren was a registered Republican well into her 40s. Is That Naive?
stonecutter357
Sep 2019
#56
So what is the correct response to someone who has succumbed to being bullied?
greymattermom
Sep 2019
#58
The problem on this point is that part of his strength is he doesn't do that
BeyondGeography
Sep 2019
#61
Joe is open to work down the aisle and find common ground, just like Barack Obama.
Gothmog
Sep 2019
#69
The GOP has been rotten to the core for 50+ years. Biden is severely out of touch with reality.
Garrett78
Sep 2019
#79
Biden and Dems will Need Some Independent Votes to Win - Why Question A Candidate Being Open
Indykatie
Sep 2019
#80