Presidential hopeful Sen. Joe Biden (D-Delaware) gave a speech in New Hampshire on Tuesday in which, according to the Union Leader, he demonstrated a refreshing willingness to criticize fellow Democrats:
He told the heavily Democratic crowd that Democrats have become elitist. He noted that some Democrats have questioned why he wears an American flag on his lapel.“We’ve become disconnected from where we grew up,” Biden said. “The Republicans, because of our distance, they have convinced a lot of people we ain’t one of them.”
The type of Democrats who would question why a senator would wear an American flag are the type of Democrats that need to be confronted, not coddled, for the good of the party and of the country. Unfortunately, the trend in the party recently has been to coddle those Democrats, indeed to try and “energize” them, believing that they are the key to electoral success. Hence Michael Moore getting primo seats at the convention; hence Howard Dean becoming party chair.*
Judging by these latest remarks, as well as his 2004 convention speech, Joe Biden may be the man to lead the fight against the fanatics who would drive the Democratic Party into the ground (and cede the political field to the Republicans, including their fanatics). And with more charisma and public-speaking talent than his fellow moderate “Senator Joe,” Lieberman of Connecticut, he may have a better chance of actually catching some “Joe-mentum” than my favorite senator ever did.
Alas, what Biden makes up for in fiery rhetoric and sane policies, he lacks in moral scruples. Whereas Lieberman is a paragon of ethics — the all-too-rare admirable politician — Biden is a sleazy scumbag who, in 2003, pulled a underhanded legislative procedural trick of epic proportions when he managed to sneak the awful RAVE Act into the Amber Alert Bill in an unheralded, eleventh-hour amendment, thus making it politically impossible for his fellow senators to oppose his piece of crappy legislation, which they had wisely voted down a year earlier. Becky has never forgiven him for this and, being Becky, never will. :) Indeed, if she reads this post, I fully expect to see another one of her epithet-laden, not-at-all-family-friendly anti-Biden screeds in comments.
I, on the other hand, take a more nuanced view of the matter. What Biden did with the RAVE Act — about which more here and here — is unforgivable, but alas, not uncommon. If I refused to even consider supporting any politician who had ever engaged in a bit of parliamentary skullduggery, I’d be forced to vote third party in nearly every election. On the other hand, a Democrat with sensible views on foreign policy, a willingness to criticize his own party, and a charismatic speaking ability that could actually win him some hearts and minds (and votes) within the party is all too uncommon these days.
More troublesome, perhaps, than the ethical/parliamentary issue, is the fact that Biden sponsored the RAVE Act in the first place. I’m not particularly sold on the idea of a president with so little respect for constitutional rights that he would work so hard to pass a law that virtually screams to law enforcement officials, “Please abuse me!” But I’m willing to give Biden a fair hearing, and if I can be convinced that the RAVE Act was an aberration in an otherwise sound understanding of the importance of liberty, I could potentially support him (assuming Lieberman isn’t running). After all, the war on terror is certainly the most important issue of our time, and his attitude about that appears (from his DNC speech, at least) to be spot-on.
So, while I will always maintain that Joe Biden is no Joe Lieberman (notwithstanding the title of this post), and while I’m certainly not declaring my support for him now, I will definitely be keeping an eye on the “other” Senator Joe as the 2008 race takes shape.
(Hat tip on the Union Leader article: Best of the Web.)
P.S. One thing is for sure: Becky will never support Biden. I just might, which could mean trouble in the Loy-Zak household — er, actually, by then it will just be the Loy household (Mr. and Mrs. Loy… and perhaps a little baby Loy?) — come 2008. Stay tuned, as they say. :)
*PLEASE NOTE: I am not implying that all anti-war Democrats are “the type of Democrats who would question why a senator would wear an American flag.” But the ones who would question such a thing — believing that the flag is a symbol of war, oppression, Bush and Fox News, and believing it is better to shun it than reclaim it — certainly do belong to the far-left, anti-war crowd (I’m talking anti-Afghanistan-war as well), even though they don’t comprise the whole of it by any means. And they certainly do need to be confronted, and either converted to sanity or told to take a hike. The Democratic Party is suffocating from their venomous fumes.
UPDATE: Here’s a bit more from Biden’s speech:
“We’ve become disconnected from where we grew up. We used to get those middle-class votes,” he said, but he also blamed Republicans because “they’ve convinced the American people, enough of them, that we are out of touch, that we don’t believe in God, that we only care about gays and we don’t have any connection with ordinary folks.” And to cheers, he added, “And I want to tell you I’m sick and tired of it.”
I wish I had a transcript of the whole thing, but I doubt one even exists, as it was just a minor local stump speech.
Meanwhile, unsurprisingly, the famously conservative Union-Leader agrees with Biden, and with me:
Further honest comments like those he made Tuesday night might hurt his chances within a party lurching increasingly to the left. But the Democrats need to hear them.The anti-American left has seriously damaged the party, and unless more high-profile Democrats take them on, theirs will continue to be the minority party in America.
Of course, the term “anti-American left” misleadingly implies that the whole left is unpatriotic — but then, that’s the whole point, isn’t it? Mainstream Democrats’ tolerance of what unpatriotic, anti-American elements do exist within the party, and their failure to challenge the false, overly-critical-of-America (though not squarely “anti-American”) orthodoxies that dominate the far left, is the very reason why folks like the Union Leader can imply that the whole left is “anti-American.” The solution, as the editorial said, is not to whine about slander from the Right, but to “take on” the villains of the Left who make the slander plausible.
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Categories: Joe Lieberman
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November 4th, 2005 at 8:22:28 pm
As long as the Democratic Party is nominating a senator to be their presidential candidate, they will be hamstrung.
As for the RAVE Act, I’m a little confused. Biden may have snuck in the RAVE Act as a rider on the Amber Alert bill, but I’m also pretty sure the House would’ve passed its bill separately without that rider. Thus, the two bills would have to be reconciled in conference committee, providing other senators and congressman ample opportunity to strip out the RAVE Act language, no? Or do I need to go back and watch “How a bill becomes law” and refresh my memory of these things, hehe.
PS–Is Becky pregnant?!?!?!? ;-)
November 4th, 2005 at 8:34:13 pm
Let me address the PS first: NO!! I’m talking hypothetical future baby, here… :)
You’re right about the senator thing, that’s a good point.
As for the RAVE Act, I don’t recall the procedural details exactly. It may have been that Biden snuck the rider on during the conference committee phase… or maybe the Senate passed its version first, with the amendment, and then it went over to the House (where support for the RAVE Act may have been stronger in the first place) and passed identically? I’m not sure, all I know is that I was righteously outraged at the time, and with good reason. :)
November 4th, 2005 at 9:31:33 pm
The problem isn’t that there are people on the far left. The problem is that our system only has room for two parties. People on the far left have just as much of a right to have their voices heard. Unfortunately in this two party system, they have to vote for someone. Republicans are able to take advantage of this by telling middle america that the democratic party is the party of wine and cheese liberals. It’s just a little guilt by association tactic. The Republicans have to deal with this too. Bush has to satisfy the wacko-No such thing as dinosaurs-conservatives (who actually don’t deserve representation because they already belong to the kingdom of heaven and the US doesn’t recognize dual citizenship J/K)without freaking out middle america. The Republicans have just done a better job of packaging things the last few years in a way that satisfies their groups a little more than democrats. I would guess that a giant percentage of america would love for a guy like McCain or Biden to come along and run for president. The problem is getting them through the primaries with their black babies and college plagiarism.
November 4th, 2005 at 10:46:39 pm
You said the RAVE sneaky stuff is unforgivable, but you seem willing to forgive Biden if he shapes up to be otherwise decent. So, I guess it is not unforgivable then, Mr. Loy, just annoying compromise on your part :)
November 4th, 2005 at 10:50:10 pm
I wouldn’t be forgiving me for the RAVE sneaky stuff, I’d just be supporting him for other, unrelated reasons. :)
November 5th, 2005 at 3:14:51 am
Joe Biden has foreign policy credibility at a time that, for once, the American people might see it as a positive rather than a detriment. My voting eligibility precedes Biden’s electorable roadblocks; however, I caucused in Washington state and had no interest in Lieberman. His communication ability fell short of the ability to win the nomination. You can state his position on the issues, but as one who studies the presidency knows, a leader falls short of his agenda with an inability to articulate it. And in Lieberman’s case, most Democrats probably thought of him as a man of integrity and a respectable Senator, but not the leader of the free world. I hope he continues to be a politician who votes with his conscious…I would never vote for Lieberman as President. He and Biden are not from the same order.
November 5th, 2005 at 3:18:34 am
Not to say I am hoping for Biden…I don’t really trust a sitting Congressman or Senator to win the Presidency. Governor…? 2008!!
November 5th, 2005 at 4:43:50 am
Brendan - while “anti-American left” doesn’t have to imply that the entire left in this country is anti-American, the non-anti-American left ain’t exactly getting much traction in the MSM or anywhere else that I can see … just as the Dems didn’t need to counter Miers, the GOP can sit back and pop some corn when the American left goes on a patriotism hunt …
Growing up in the UK where the Trots and Moseleyites were 13 of one and a baker’s dozen of the other, the looney left and the righteous right were represented in Parliament mostly so that, when someone went to vote, they could ask themselves, “Do I really want to go on record as having voted the same way as xxx ?”
People have watched the US left in the past few years, and it IS the left of Michael Moore and Leahy (whether Steerage or Senator) and Biden and Kennedy … people are SO used to it that when Sen Clinton tries to sound reasonable, even the Dems don’t believe she’s doing it for other than rank ambition towards the White House …
One of the saddest things is that the GOP doesn’t have to DO anything to have the US left have the reputation of being anti-American, cuz the US left paints itself into that particular corner on a regular basis …
November 5th, 2005 at 8:42:45 am
You know, there are politicians that think we should defend ourselves from terrorists AND let people peaceably assemble. Of course, pointing this out proves how completely illogical I am…
November 5th, 2005 at 9:58:47 am
While digesting Reader’s Digest
In the back of a dirty book store,
A plastic flag, with gum on the back,
Fell out on the floor.
Well, I picked it up and I ran outside
Slapped it on my window shield,
And if I could see old Betsy Ross
I’d tell her how good I feel.
But your flag decal won’t get you
Into Heaven any more.
They’re already overcrowded
From your dirty little war.
Now Jesus don’t like killin’
No matter what the reason’s for,
And your flag decal won’t get you
Into Heaven any more.
Well, I went to the bank this morning
And the cashier he said to me,
“If you join the Christmas club
We’ll give you ten of them flags for free.”
Well, I didn’t mess around a bit
I took him up on what he said.
And I stuck them stickers all over my car
And one on my wife’s forehead.
Well, I got my window shield so filled
With flags I couldn’t see.
So, I ran the car upside a curb
And right into a tree.
By the time they got a doctor down
I was already dead.
And I’ll never understand why the man
Standing in the Pearly Gates said…
“But your flag decal won’t get you
Into Heaven any more.
We’re already overcrowded
From your dirty little war.
Now Jesus don’t like killin’
No matter what the reason’s for,
And your flag decal won’t get you
Into Heaven any more.”
November 5th, 2005 at 1:14:06 pm
What is really scary is listening to friends of my college freshman daughter spout anti-American beliefs. Some even go to the extreme of seriously talking about leaving the country. When I try to get them to think about staying, working within the system to change it, they tell me it isn’t worth it. The disenchantment with our country runs so deep, ie. a daughter of a full time Air Guard officer, a senior in college, has come to hate the US flag. Quoting her journal entry: “negatively associated the mere image of the American flag with the idea of this mentality that America carries, this ‘we’re the best f*king country in the whole world’ attitude…and if you don’t like it, F* YOU we’ll blow your brains out with nukes or send in our troops. I’m sorry, but I’m not cool with that.” She goes on to ask friends to comment with their views on “our country and the uber-patriots.” The resulting comments were informative. The one that got me the most was the one about a college ROTC member questioning being an officer in the army of a country he can’t stand.
I come from the all-time anti-American, flower power, give love a chance generation. I know from experience the disbelief we can feel for our leaders, government and country. It would be a terrible shame to lose some of the brightest to other countries because neither party is willing to play clean in politics.
November 5th, 2005 at 1:47:39 pm
You know, there are politicians that think we should defend ourselves from terrorists AND let people peaceably assemble. Of course, pointing this out proves how completely illogical I am…
Anyone in particular who is thinking about running for president in one of the two major parties? Seriously, I’m listening.
November 5th, 2005 at 1:48:53 pm
What is wrong with thinking America is the best country in the world? I surely think it is, but I am also not blinded by the not so great things America does, domestically and abroad. I think that holding such a negative view of America is a sign of ignorance of American history and of American reality, and also of ignorance of the magnitude of the political, socia and economic and struggles of most other countries in the world. People who have grown up in America with all thew opportunities it affords its residents sometimes just cannot grasp the opportunities and advantages of living in America, and it is sad. Someone hates the flag because it reminds them of the a fuck you, roll over the tanks attitutde? I can think of a country who really tells you fuck you and rolls over you with a tank: China. Tiannamen Square anyone? America has the luxury to worry about gay rights and the opportunity to peaceably assembly and bitch and moan about America, and racism and sexism are mild in comparison with many other places on earth. I say, if people hate it so much that they want to leave, then leave. If you find a better place, good for you, or on the other hand, you might come to realize that Americans are not that evil and we do not have it that bad. It is so much easier to give up than to try and make a difference. I know this because my family chose to give up and move America. But, as corrupt and violent as my homeland is, I still love it, I still visit, and I still vote on their elections, because I still care. If I can love my homeland, with all its weaknesses and bullshit, why can’t someone love America and everything it has to offer? I really think people who hate America–not just disagree with this policy or that social institution–are ignorant and ungrateful. Yes, Brian, you can tell my how cliche I am now :)
November 5th, 2005 at 1:54:49 pm
The RAVE Act will be seen as a plus by the law and order crowd. I think Biden has a lot of good attributes, but he tends to go overboard on his whole tough guy act. Plus he is a Senator from a state with about 10 people, so he really has no chance of becoming POTUS.
The stealth Dem candidate for Pres is Virginia Governor Mark Warner. Warner has an 80% approval rating in Virginia, is business friendly and gets shit done. He doesn’t have the most dynamic personality, which may hurt, but he is somewhat JFK-esque in appearance. Besides I’m an Anybody But Hillary person, so hopefully the Dems will realize the benefit of someone who might be able to pick up a couple of southern states, like Warner.
November 5th, 2005 at 1:57:33 pm
You’re an Anybody But Hillary person? hehe. I like Max. The Dems should not underestimate how much people dislike/hate her.
November 5th, 2005 at 4:07:18 pm
1. Brendan reproducing? My God, just what the world needs … another LRT, another kid walking around the Hallowed Halls of NHS with fire-red hair and a camcorder, … :-) BECKY, GET OUT NOW!!!!! (hehe … All in good fun, Brendan …)
2. I have been one of those elitist liberals who, until recently, was unable to differentiate between the flag and the *ssholes who wrap themselves in it. Going to liberal rallys, it grates on me to see folks fly the American flag upside-down (the naval distress signal), but I completely understand the sentiment. Too many things have been done recently to make me hate the leadership of this country. But sometimes it’s difficult to separate the leadership from the country itself. Especially when one party (or the other) has been hijacked by its extreme wing and manages to control both the Presidency and the Congress.
November 5th, 2005 at 4:17:47 pm
I gather from the “until recently” that you’ve seen the error of your ways? :)
IMHO, the proper response to seeing people you hate co-opt the flag for their own uses is to reclaim it. Go to an anti-Bush, anti-war, anti-imperialism, anti-globalization, anti-etc. rally, proudly flying the flag — right-side up — and thus declare to the world, “We are proud Americans too!” It’s your flag just as much as it’s theirs. Like the song says, it stands for freedom, which includes your right to dissent. The worst thing to do is deface the flag at such a rally, because that sends the exact opposite message from what you want to send. That tells people, “We hate America!” Not a good way to win a political argument. :)
November 5th, 2005 at 5:07:50 pm
It think it is interesting how a large percentage of those in the Republican Party who are wrapping themselves in the American flag are decendents of those who rejected the flag in 1861. Jefferson Davis compared the Stars and Stripes to a “griddle iron” that basically cooked the goose of the Confederacy. I wonder what the ancestrial kin folk of Trent Lott and Tom DeLay would be saying about them now.
November 5th, 2005 at 8:44:51 pm
Now, Bea, just because you’re reciting the love-it-or-leave-it line doesn’t mean I’ll call your remarks cliche. After all, there’s only so many times I can say that without it becoming…well, you know. :)
It is somewhat disturbing how the Right has, quite frankly, abused a national symbol such as the flag. Just as during Vietnam if you didn’t support the war you were labeled a hippie or a commie, now if you don’t support the war and the Republicans you’re labeled a “loonie lefty”. And I’m sure Andrew and Alasdair and the other conservative A-holes would gladly lump liberals together as anti-American as a matter of pure political convenience.
I can assure you, though, that everyone at the place I work is diligently designing ways to destroy other countries’ war materiel in a better and more efficient manner, and we are proud of the American flag that flies at the front of the base. I can also tell you that in the parking lot in late 2004 (and even today, strangely enough), the Kerry bumper stickers outnumbered the Bush bumper stickers by 3 or 4 to 1. So using Bea’s rhetorical tactic of personal anecdotes serving as ‘proof’ of something, you conservatives can just shove it if you think those who don’t support the Iraq war aren’t patriots.
November 6th, 2005 at 3:34:12 pm
Just who are these conservatives and Republicans that are wrapping themselves in the American flag? Straw man alert….