I Worked With Joe Biden.. Here’s What to Know About the Myth Growing Around Him Jennifer Palmieri, Time I am a little surprised that people have been surprised by the rough patch Joe...

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Here’s What to Know About the Myth Growing Around Him

Jennifer Palmieri, Time

I am a little surprised that people have been surprised by the rough patch Joe Biden has hit in the past few weeks. The questions Biden has faced—from his handling of the Clarence Thomas hearings to his physical displays of affection—were entirely predictable. I imagine he himself predicted them.

When I was White House communications director for President Obama, I saw him express physical affection for women and men both, and he often greeted me warmly with a hug or even a kiss on the forehead. It was unusual behavior for a work setting, yes, but he is someone who has endured a lot of personal loss in his life and wears his emotions on his sleeve. In my experience, his overly affectionate behavior was his way of putting more love and support in the world. That was not all women’s experience, though. He clearly made some women uncomfortable, and now he is facing the consequences.

I have watched expectations rise around Biden with trepidation. A lot of Democrats have set their hopes on him. They anxiously eye Bernie Sanders’ strong standing—as a candidate they believe to be too far left. They see a Biden candidacy as a way to recapture the white working-class part of the Obama-Biden magic and win back those Obama v**ers who turned to Trump. All the while, there’s a nostalgic appeal to a Biden presidency: His folksy ways feel like a tonic, an assurance that things can return to “normal.” A President Joe Biden, the thinking seems to go, would reduce President Donald Trump to a bad dream. Now, suddenly, nothing about a Biden candidacy seems inevitable, including whether there will even be one.

But it was never fair to make Biden a vessel for Democrats’ hopes and anxieties. His early standing atop the polls seems like more of a reflection of many Democrats’ 2016 grieving process than a predictor of who will ultimately win the Democratic primary. No one is going to be able to return America to “normal” and no one—particularly in a field this large and talented—can enter the race in first place and expect to stay there.

In my experience, early frontrunners like Biden face a battle against attrition. Even if he ultimately wins the Democratic primary—which he still has a good chance of doing—his support will first likely erode, not grow. He will have to shed all of these false expectations that hang around him now and come back with support that he’s earned by being a good candidate for 2020. Any early support based on the assumption that a candidate will do well is fickle.

Admittedly, given the history of abuse women have endured for—oh—all of human history, nuance has unsurprisingly been a hard tool for men to employ in defending their actions. But it’s not impossible that the Joe Biden I know could be the one to navigate these waters. Many women have come to his defense in the last few days—while appropriately respecting, with concern, the unease some women said they experienced.

Biden has already said he understands he needs to listen to the women who are uncomfortable with his behavior. And assuming he runs, he will need to answer more questions on this topic than I am sure he would like. It won’t be fun for him, but that’s what he will have to endure to convince v**ers he has learned the right lessons. In my experience, two qualities define him: the love for his family and an unshakeable belief in the American people. There is an opportunity for him to do some good here, to prove right the women who have stood up for him.

There are more positions Biden will have to explain. He has been in public life for a long time and has a long record—built during a period of immense social change—that has to be reconciled with the country America is today. But there is something of real value at the core of Joe Biden that cannot be denied. It is as foolish to count any candidate out at this point as it was foolish to believe any one candidate was an obvious savior.

ACP45 Loc: Rhode Island

slatten49 wrote:

Here’s What to Know About the Myth Growing Around Him

Jennifer Palmieri, Time

I am a little surprised that people have been surprised by the rough patch Joe Biden has hit in the past few weeks. The questions Biden has faced—from his handling of the Clarence Thomas hearings to his physical displays of affection—were entirely predictable. I imagine he himself predicted them.

When I was White House communications director for President Obama, I saw him express physical affection for women and men both, and he often greeted me warmly with a hug or even a kiss on the forehead. It was unusual behavior for a work setting, yes, but he is someone who has endured a lot of personal loss in his life and wears his emotions on his sleeve. In my experience, his overly affectionate behavior was his way of putting more love and support in the world. That was not all women’s experience, though. He clearly made some women uncomfortable, and now he is facing the consequences.

I have watched expectations rise around Biden with trepidation. A lot of Democrats have set their hopes on him. They anxiously eye Bernie Sanders’ strong standing—as a candidate they believe to be too far left. They see a Biden candidacy as a way to recapture the white working-class part of the Obama-Biden magic and win back those Obama v**ers who turned to Trump. All the while, there’s a nostalgic appeal to a Biden presidency: His folksy ways feel like a tonic, an assurance that things can return to “normal.” A President Joe Biden, the thinking seems to go, would reduce President Donald Trump to a bad dream. Now, suddenly, nothing about a Biden candidacy seems inevitable, including whether there will even be one.

But it was never fair to make Biden a vessel for Democrats’ hopes and anxieties. His early standing atop the polls seems like more of a reflection of many Democrats’ 2016 grieving process than a predictor of who will ultimately win the Democratic primary. No one is going to be able to return America to “normal” and no one—particularly in a field this large and talented—can enter the race in first place and expect to stay there.

In my experience, early frontrunners like Biden face a battle against attrition. Even if he ultimately wins the Democratic primary—which he still has a good chance of doing—his support will first likely erode, not grow. He will have to shed all of these false expectations that hang around him now and come back with support that he’s earned by being a good candidate for 2020. Any early support based on the assumption that a candidate will do well is fickle.

Admittedly, given the history of abuse women have endured for—oh—all of human history, nuance has unsurprisingly been a hard tool for men to employ in defending their actions. But it’s not impossible that the Joe Biden I know could be the one to navigate these waters. Many women have come to his defense in the last few days—while appropriately respecting, with concern, the unease some women said they experienced.

Biden has already said he understands he needs to listen to the women who are uncomfortable with his behavior. And assuming he runs, he will need to answer more questions on this topic than I am sure he would like. It won’t be fun for him, but that’s what he will have to endure to convince v**ers he has learned the right lessons. In my experience, two qualities define him: the love for his family and an unshakeable belief in the American people. There is an opportunity for him to do some good here, to prove right the women who have stood up for him.

There are more positions Biden will have to explain. He has been in public life for a long time and has a long record—built during a period of immense social change—that has to be reconciled with the country America is today. But there is something of real value at the core of Joe Biden that cannot be denied. It is as foolish to count any candidate out at this point as it was foolish to believe any one candidate was an obvious savior.

Here’s What to Know About the Myth Growing Around ... (show quote)

Good post. I personally feel this is much ado about nothing. A bit odd, but nothing that would disqualify him from running for president. The Ukraine issue however, may be another story.

Liberty Tree

ACP45 wrote:

Good post. I personally feel this is much ado about nothing. A bit odd, but nothing that would disqualify him from running for president. The Ukraine issue however, may be another story.

If he were a Republican the MSM and Democrats would crucify him over this.

lindajoy Loc: right here with you....

slatten49 wrote:

Here’s What to Know About the Myth Growing Around Him

Jennifer Palmieri, Time

I am a little surprised that people have been surprised by the rough patch Joe Biden has hit in the past few weeks. The questions Biden has faced—from his handling of the Clarence Thomas hearings to his physical displays of affection—were entirely predictable. I imagine he himself predicted them.

When I was White House communications director for President Obama, I saw him express physical affection for women and men both, and he often greeted me warmly with a hug or even a kiss on the forehead. It was unusual behavior for a work setting, yes, but he is someone who has endured a lot of personal loss in his life and wears his emotions on his sleeve. In my experience, his overly affectionate behavior was his way of putting more love and support in the world. That was not all women’s experience, though. He clearly made some women uncomfortable, and now he is facing the consequences.

I have watched expectations rise around Biden with trepidation. A lot of Democrats have set their hopes on him. They anxiously eye Bernie Sanders’ strong standing—as a candidate they believe to be too far left. They see a Biden candidacy as a way to recapture the white working-class part of the Obama-Biden magic and win back those Obama v**ers who turned to Trump. All the while, there’s a nostalgic appeal to a Biden presidency: His folksy ways feel like a tonic, an assurance that things can return to “normal.” A President Joe Biden, the thinking seems to go, would reduce President Donald Trump to a bad dream. Now, suddenly, nothing about a Biden candidacy seems inevitable, including whether there will even be one.

But it was never fair to make Biden a vessel for Democrats’ hopes and anxieties. His early standing atop the polls seems like more of a reflection of many Democrats’ 2016 grieving process than a predictor of who will ultimately win the Democratic primary. No one is going to be able to return America to “normal” and no one—particularly in a field this large and talented—can enter the race in first place and expect to stay there.

In my experience, early frontrunners like Biden face a battle against attrition. Even if he ultimately wins the Democratic primary—which he still has a good chance of doing—his support will first likely erode, not grow. He will have to shed all of these false expectations that hang around him now and come back with support that he’s earned by being a good candidate for 2020. Any early support based on the assumption that a candidate will do well is fickle.

Admittedly, given the history of abuse women have endured for—oh—all of human history, nuance has unsurprisingly been a hard tool for men to employ in defending their actions. But it’s not impossible that the Joe Biden I know could be the one to navigate these waters. Many women have come to his defense in the last few days—while appropriately respecting, with concern, the unease some women said they experienced.

Biden has already said he understands he needs to listen to the women who are uncomfortable with his behavior. And assuming he runs, he will need to answer more questions on this topic than I am sure he would like. It won’t be fun for him, but that’s what he will have to endure to convince v**ers he has learned the right lessons. In my experience, two qualities define him: the love for his family and an unshakeable belief in the American people. There is an opportunity for him to do some good here, to prove right the women who have stood up for him.

There are more positions Biden will have to explain. He has been in public life for a long time and has a long record—built during a period of immense social change—that has to be reconciled with the country America is today. But there is something of real value at the core of Joe Biden that cannot be denied. It is as foolish to count any candidate out at this point as it was foolish to believe any one candidate was an obvious savior.

Here’s What to Know About the Myth Growing Around ... (show quote)

No one is immune from these sexual trists when others in either party want to slander them... Unfortunately its promoted, sought out and played .. Look what they Did to Kavanagh in the process. And after it all came out three women that accused him didn’t even bother to apologize although they retracted their allegations. For that fact neither did anybody else apologize for the intentional political slander of his character...

We get what we allow...

4430 Loc: Little Egypt ** Southern Illinory

Liberty Tree wrote:

If he were a Republican the MSM and Democrats would crucify him over this.

Yep the ole Democrat double standard applies if he were a Republican their hypocrisy shows very well !

ACP45 Loc: Rhode Island

lindajoy wrote:

No one is immune from these sexual trists when others in either party want to slander them... Unfortunately its promoted, sought out and played .. Look what they Did to Kavanagh in the process. And after it all came out three women that accused him didn’t even bother to apologize although they retracted their allegations. For that fact neither did anybody else apologize for the intentional political slander of his character...

We get what we allow...

Lindajoy, are you suggesting that Biden's odd behavior of smelling and touching hair, holding shoulders, and putting his hand close to a woman's breast is akin to "sexual trysts"?

I do agree with you that if Biden were a Republican, the Dems would be screaming from the rooftops, rending their hair, and demanding he resign from office. But as rational people, shouldn't we be above blatant political partisanship.

Rose42

ACP45 wrote:

Good post. I personally feel this is much ado about nothing. A bit odd, but nothing that would disqualify him from running for president. The Ukraine issue however, may be another story.

Same here. Much ado about nothing. I don't like his politics but the way the republicans are going after him is nuts. The democrats would be doing the same thing if he were a republican.

Wonttakeitanymore

Just qualifications alone is enough to say nay! He would have to borrow ovomit TelePrompTer! Every time he opens his mouth, he’s an embarraresment

Wolf counselor Loc: Heart of Texas

slatten49 wrote:

Here’s What to Know About the Myth Growing Around Him

Jennifer Palmieri, Time

I am a little surprised that people have been surprised by the rough patch Joe Biden has hit in the past few weeks. The questions Biden has faced—from his handling of the Clarence Thomas hearings to his physical displays of affection—were entirely predictable. I imagine he himself predicted them.

When I was White House communications director for President Obama, I saw him express physical affection for women and men both, and he often greeted me warmly with a hug or even a kiss on the forehead. It was unusual behavior for a work setting, yes, but he is someone who has endured a lot of personal loss in his life and wears his emotions on his sleeve. In my experience, his overly affectionate behavior was his way of putting more love and support in the world. That was not all women’s experience, though. He clearly made some women uncomfortable, and now he is facing the consequences.

I have watched expectations rise around Biden with trepidation. A lot of Democrats have set their hopes on him. They anxiously eye Bernie Sanders’ strong standing—as a candidate they believe to be too far left. They see a Biden candidacy as a way to recapture the white working-class part of the Obama-Biden magic and win back those Obama v**ers who turned to Trump. All the while, there’s a nostalgic appeal to a Biden presidency: His folksy ways feel like a tonic, an assurance that things can return to “normal.” A President Joe Biden, the thinking seems to go, would reduce President Donald Trump to a bad dream. Now, suddenly, nothing about a Biden candidacy seems inevitable, including whether there will even be one.

But it was never fair to make Biden a vessel for Democrats’ hopes and anxieties. His early standing atop the polls seems like more of a reflection of many Democrats’ 2016 grieving process than a predictor of who will ultimately win the Democratic primary. No one is going to be able to return America to “normal” and no one—particularly in a field this large and talented—can enter the race in first place and expect to stay there.

In my experience, early frontrunners like Biden face a battle against attrition. Even if he ultimately wins the Democratic primary—which he still has a good chance of doing—his support will first likely erode, not grow. He will have to shed all of these false expectations that hang around him now and come back with support that he’s earned by being a good candidate for 2020. Any early support based on the assumption that a candidate will do well is fickle.

Admittedly, given the history of abuse women have endured for—oh—all of human history, nuance has unsurprisingly been a hard tool for men to employ in defending their actions. But it’s not impossible that the Joe Biden I know could be the one to navigate these waters. Many women have come to his defense in the last few days—while appropriately respecting, with concern, the unease some women said they experienced.

Biden has already said he understands he needs to listen to the women who are uncomfortable with his behavior. And assuming he runs, he will need to answer more questions on this topic than I am sure he would like. It won’t be fun for him, but that’s what he will have to endure to convince v**ers he has learned the right lessons. In my experience, two qualities define him: the love for his family and an unshakeable belief in the American people. There is an opportunity for him to do some good here, to prove right the women who have stood up for him.

There are more positions Biden will have to explain. He has been in public life for a long time and has a long record—built during a period of immense social change—that has to be reconciled with the country America is today. But there is something of real value at the core of Joe Biden that cannot be denied. It is as foolish to count any candidate out at this point as it was foolish to believe any one candidate was an obvious savior.

Here’s What to Know About the Myth Growing Around ... (show quote)

Are you gonna v**e for Biden, if he's nominated ?

If not, who is your champion for 2020 ?

no propaganda please Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun

Liberty Tree wrote:

If he were a Republican the MSM and Democrats would crucify him over this.

While I agree with you that a Republican would be drawn and quartered for this behavior, the actual behavior is a hold over from earlier time and a different culture. There was a time when men, particularly those of Italian background, did not think that type of affection to anyone and every one was wrong. Biden is one of those. Tolerating his behavior is not the solution. Telling him to stop and keep his hands and mouth to himself should be a common practice with all of us who do not welcome it.

SWMBO

lindajoy Loc: right here with you....

ACP45 wrote:

Lindajoy, are you suggesting that Biden's odd behavior of smelling and touching hair, holding shoulders, and putting his hand close to a woman's breast is akin to "sexual trysts"?

I do agree with you that if Biden were a Republican, the Dems would be screaming from the rooftops, rending their hair, and demanding he resign from office. But as rational people, shouldn't we be above blatant political partisanship.

And I agree with what you say if Biden was a republican we can use Kavanagh iss a perfect example.

What I’m saying about Biden is it doesn’t matter which party it is both side to do it and it’s a horrendous filthy intended act simply to remove a politician. I say if these politicians are not guilty of the charges alleged against them then defend themselves to prove it....

I also say these women that come years after the fact with an alleged claim of being upset by the act should’ve taken care of it when it occurred, not years later when someone is running for office. It holds little credence to me.... Why are they upset by it now, when they did nothing about it when it allegedly occurred?.

I don’t know if Biden is a dirty old man and does it for intentional acts of being a dirty old man or if he’s just a touchy-feely type guy.?? More along the lines of just being a part of his character?

I guess I’ll compare it to myself in that I typically hug people I know when I meet them or when they are leaving me if not to include a kiss on the cheek and I’m certainly not making sexual overtures to them but just showing my affection for them.

I fully understand in today’s climate it’s unacceptable to touch anyone but I also think there are times when we bullet blow it completely out of proportion..

Kevyn

ACP45 wrote:

Good post. I personally feel this is much ado about nothing. A bit odd, but nothing that would disqualify him from running for president. The Ukraine issue however, may be another story.

All Biden needs to do is put Stormy Danials in the third row of every debate and the I***t Pumpkinfuhrer won’t mention Joe putting his hand on a woman’s shoulder.

Coos Bay Tom Loc: coos bay oregon

Kevyn wrote:

All Biden needs to do is put Stormy Danials in the third row of every debate and the I***t Pumpkinfuhrer won’t mention Joe putting his hand on a woman’s shoulder.

Coos Bay Tom Loc: coos bay oregon

I do not trust the DNC at all. I wonder how much they are involved in this sickening display. Seems they want a progressive only and a moderate must be destroyed. They are stupid if they attack any of the democratic candidates---If they persist Trump will win in 2020

son of witless

ACP45 wrote:

Good post. I personally feel this is much ado about nothing. A bit odd, but nothing that would disqualify him from running for president. The Ukraine issue however, may be another story.

The Left has withdrawn some of it's protection from Biden because they do not want him d**gging the Jack Ass Party back to the center. They are allowing him to be roughed up enough to knock him out of P**********l Contention, but they will not allow him to be destroyed.

The Right needs to seize upon the Ukraine episode as a real scandal for all Democrats. An investigation a la Mueller might snare some other Jack Asses.