Were Joe Biden's Remarks About Barack Obama Appropriate?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

"I’d be happy to make you head of the Civil Rights Division," Biden said of his coming presidency.

[Jennifer C]

1. For context's sake:

Citing the Jena 6, Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., asked Biden if he would help him strengthen the enforcement of hate crimes legislation in the Senate as he would prioritize the issue in his presidency.

Biden responded, "I would be happy to make you the head of the civil right division of my administration."

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/12/did-biden-offen.html?cid=92009364#comment-92009364

[EffieBlack]

3. Biden knows full well that without the support of the AG, the head of the civil rights

division is virtually powerless. This was a patronizing comment.

If he had wanted to make this point, he should have said he'd make him Attorney General - the person who dictates the department's civil rights policy and sees to it that it is carried out. The AAG for Civil Rights, while an important position, has little power to advance civil rights on their own.

[KittyWampus]

5. Obama's career doesn't warrant Attorney General YET. There'd be so many other more qualified

to take the job.

And you ignore the fact Obama started the exchange by belittling Biden.

[ruggerson]

6. Were you as upset when Obama organized an event that headlined gay bashers?

n/t

[KittyWampus]

4. So Obama belittles Biden by asking him if he'd do something as Senator while HE was POTUS?

and when Biden responds by offering him a job that suits Obama's actual career path, it's racism.

[ginchinchili]

12. Obviously just a little give and take between candidates, nothing more.

And, as if it matters, Obama started it. He gives Biden a little friendly shove and Biden returns with one of his own. Frankly, it only demonstrates that Biden is quick on his feet and does shove back. This is a zero issue and I hope that Joe Biden continues to stand his ground, whether it's Obama taking shots at him, Hillary, or the Republicans. If people think this is an issue, they need to do a little research on the history of American presidential campaigns.

[PatSeg]

18. I just read the "comments" at ABC

and people aren't taking this as racist. I think people are sick of this sort of thing. Both candidates have a history of fighting for civil rights.

[Jennifer C]

23. Quite true

I just read the comments from the ABC blog, nobody there is taking issue with the exchange.

[ginchinchili]

29. The Democrats are beginning to sound like the Republicans.

Trying to defeat opponents through character assassination, and I'm not implicating Sen. Obama. I'm referring to some of his supporters.

[1corona4u]

21. Yes, and I just watched it and the audience laughed...

when he said it, so they took it as a joke. Obama, clearly, immediately took it as a slight, and a demeaning remark, and looked back, squinting his eyes at Biden, in a "if looks could kill" way. Of course he took it as a demeaning remark. He is a JR. Senator, who's been in politics for TEN years, who thinks he's qualified to be president.

If were to get elected that would be OK with me. We'd all get to see what he's actually made of then. I guess, as they say, be careful what you wish for....

[Jennifer C]

25. It's unfortunate that it's unavailable to view online

I would like to the see the video. I wasn't aware the audience were laughing, so thank you for those details.

Yes, I can understand why he would have taken it as a demeaning remark.

[KittyWampus]

2. Considering Obama's 9 years a Civil Rights lawyer, of course. His actual career

fits that cabinet position best.

[beaconess]

7. Really?

Can you name the last 10 Assistant Attorneys General for Civil Rights? (without doing a Google search?)

Here's an easier one - list all of the former U.S. Senators and former presidential candidates who have ever gone on to be an Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. Or, for that matter, an Assistant Attorney General for anything.

(hint: it shouldn't take long)

[rucky]

9. No, not really. They exchanged barbs.

and it was harmless. They were both being cheeky when that exchange went down.

[KittyWampus]

11. You just made my point, Obama's short career doesn't automatically entitle him to Attorney General

And it's too damned bad if his supporters can't handle that.

Oh, and Obama was never a law professor, only a non-tenured law senior lecturer.

[cali]

13. keep up the lying and I'll keep calling you on it.

Fine. You want to discount his years teaching con law. Try discounting his years as an Illinois State Senator and his 2 years as a U.S. Senator in addition to his years as a Civil Rights Attny.

And guess what, cupcake? I'm not an Obama supporter.

[KittyWampus]

16. You just OMITTED the fact he wasn't a professor. He was a senior lecturer.

You know, there is a big difference between those two titles.

I wonder why Obama supporters AND OTHERS SUCH AS YOURSELF are so willing to exaggerate his experience and qualifications by, for instance, calling him a professor when he wasn't.

Oh, and let's see- you called me 'cupcake'.

Does that mean I can call you asshole? They're both endearing terms, wouldn't you think?

[cali]

20. lol, cupcake

I stand corrected. He taught con law for years, pookie. but you still own all the bullshit you put out about how his ONLY experience was 9 years as a Civil Rights attny, conveniently ommitting his years teaching law, as an Illinois State Senator and as U.S. Senator. And that is bullshit.

Sorry, you can't call me that, dumpling. It's against the DU rules, sweetcheeks.

[cali]

10. you just keep up the dissembling.

It is disgusting. You've been corrected many times. A lie by omission is no more excusable than a straight out lie. Obama has bee a U.S Senator for 2 years, was a Constitutional Law prof for many years and an Illinois State Senator for 6+ years.

[KittyWampus]

17. Omitting the fact Obama was a non-tenured senior lecturer and NOT a professor is also

dissembling.

Why are you lying by calling him a professor?

[ginchinchili]

8. What's the issue?

Had Biden said this to, say, John Edwards or had Barack Obama said it to Biden no one would say anything. Biden treats Obama like anyone else, no better no worse, as it should be. It sounds to me like Biden isn't the one with tha racial issues.

[ilovesunshine]

14. If Obama had said this would we even be discussing it?

[1corona4u]

15. Fuck no...

[Colobo]

19. Not at all. It's like telling Richardson "I'll make you the head of Hispanic Affairs"

or something like that.

[KittyWampus]

22. Actually, Richardson has a heavy and impressive resume. You know, Obama supporters aren't helping

themeselves trying to make Obama look more experienced than he actually is.

You're just drawing attention to his inexperience.

Richardson could easily be offered the role of Secretary of State.

He's got the resume for it.

While Obama's resume is somewhat lacking at this point in time.

Especially in terms of a Cabinet position.

[sandnsea]

31. You think that's acceptable?

Put people in their little boxes and leave them there?

[Captain Hilts]

24. The Civil Rights Division has been gutted -thinking voting issues- by the Bush Admin - So...

it will be a bigger job in Jan 2009 than ever before.

[calteacherguy]

26. In the context, they were not inappropriate. nt

[ginchinchili]

27. For the record, they weren't remarks "about" Obama.

You subject heading is unfairly biased against Sen. Biden. It was a direct exchange between the two men, a subtle but importance distinction.

[chimpymustgo]

28. Condescending. Patronizing. Limiting. Explained in detail here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3782203

If you still don't get it, I consider it willful ignorance - at best.

[ginchinchili]

30. LOL...and I thought your link was to an actual transcript.

Silly me.

[gateley]

32. Democrat Since Birth -- What do YOU think? I'm just curious as to your

motivation for this poll. Thanks.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

34. Sure

I don't think Joe Biden meant any harm but I can see how the comments were taken as being patronizing by some...

As for the poll I saw it was a hot topic on DU and wanted to see where folks stand...

[gateley]

36. I've e-mailed Brown and Black to ask if they will be making footage available

for those of us who can't afford to subscribe to HDnet and weren't able to locate a venue airing it. I'm hoping they will, and I can see for myself how this went down. So much is lost without being able to see and hear the nuances.

[demommom]

33. Obama was putting Biden down and Biden responded in kind?

But because Obama is black, Biden's comment was racist?

I don't know if it is a card, but some are sure playing it. Why? Don't you have confidence in your candidate? How is this any different than those who were accused of playing the gender "card"?

[PatSeg]

37. Hey you!

Haven't seen you around in a while.

This whole thing has gotten out of hand. This is why so many people get turned off with politics.

[Think82]

35. THIS IS RIDICULOUS

This is like those fake terror alerts the Bush Administration uses, distracting from the real threats that are out there.

I cannot believe how sensitive people are about the dumbest shit, when there a real problems that need being addressed (such as those that benefit from Biden's 100% NAACP rating)

Give me a break, people!

[Bluebear]

38. Being that Obama has pandered against GLBT's, I would hope not. nt