# Is Joe Biden's campaign over before it starts? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [March 30, 2019, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-joe-bidens-campaign-over-before-it-starts/831783 "2019-03-30T21:31:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-joe-bidens-campaign-over-before-it-starts/831783/21 "2019-03-31T00:11:13Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > This is really simple, would you rather have Joe Biden become president or stick with disgraced former president Trump? Unless you want Trump re-elected there is nothing worth discussing here about Biden. You’re funny. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-joe-bidens-campaign-over-before-it-starts/831783/22 "2019-03-31T00:40:26Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > He can’t leave her unsupported now. It may appear that she is lying about this. Is he cool with that? If he really doesn’t remember, then he himself has to say publicly that: “Hell, that sounds like something I would have done. But I see why it wasn’t cool, and I am aware of my actions as a result.” > I could buy that. Then they have to get together and agree that it’s done. But you understand that there will be more. His touchy feely style of politicking goes back many _decades_ and even if 99 out of 100, hell 999 out of 1000 _appreciated_ his little touches that leaves a substantial absolute number that still would say not. And males too! There’s a picture in [this article](https://harpers.org/archive/2019/03/joe-biden-record/) of him arm wrapped around nose into ear of a tight fisted clearly uncomfortable Strom Thurman. Some men find touch unwanted and objectionable as well. I’m not sure what the best way to answer this is. If Ms. Flores had no point and this was completely #metoo gone too far then this could be a Sister Souljah moment, and many women voters would agree. But her point is _valid_: men (and to some degree women too) in positions of power have to be conscious that what they do not see as transgressive might be interpreted that way by those of lesser power (usually women) who will feel powerless to object, and even if the percent is small the power dynamic means that great caution must be exercised. He is guilty of not knowing that before such became common knowledge. Not sure how he best articulates knowing it now. In any case better to deal with this early … or to prove himself unable to deal with it well enough. OH eta - FWIW I think Booker or Harris would be stronger candidates and do not have Biden as number one choice. But I would not want this to be why he is not the choice. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-joe-bidens-campaign-over-before-it-starts/831783/23 "2019-03-31T00:42:04Z")
NM ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-joe-bidens-campaign-over-before-it-starts/831783/24 "2019-03-31T02:39:51Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Don’t be a frigging ninny. And don’t you be a hurler of insults outside The BBQ Pit. No Warning on this occasion, but do not repeat this behavior. [/Moderating] ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-joe-bidens-campaign-over-before-it-starts/831783/25 "2019-03-31T03:59:05Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > … In the age of #metoo, how much trouble is Joe in? Can he address it head-on with contrition or will this simply add to his woes, which already started with his handling of the Anita Hill hearings? I’ve been expecting this ever since he’s been talked about as a potential presidential candidate. That someone finally came forward with a direct complaint is just about the least-surprising political scandal in recent years. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-joe-bidens-campaign-over-before-it-starts/831783/26 "2019-03-31T04:12:16Z")
The Democrat seems damn determined to ensure that every candidate who can take on Trump is cut off at the legs before they can miun5ba challenge. Someone upthread said Harris? Seriously? Trump will steamroll her. Booker too. ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-joe-bidens-campaign-over-before-it-starts/831783/27 "2019-03-31T04:25:36Z")
I don’t think Trump will be steamrolling anybody. He has a devoted base, yes, but he is like running a barn door sized target for reelection. The GOP has plenty of propaganda weapons and dirty tricks, but it is the Dems with an actual case to make. Lwt ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-joe-bidens-campaign-over-before-it-starts/831783/28 "2019-03-31T04:30:02Z")
I don’t think Trump will be steamrolling anybody. He has a devoted base, yes, but he is like running a barn door sized target for reelection. The GOP has plenty of propaganda weapons and dirty tricks, but it is the Dems with an actual case to make. Let’s see how Biden handles this. If he can’t overcome it in the Dem primary, where I don’t expect candidates to completely savage each other to preserve their own chances, he might not overcome it in the general. We have too see if he can fly “it wasn’t that serious” and “I don’t even remember it” along with his broader case. Me? I think he’s be better than Trump. I haven’t really seen him make his case yet though, and the first debate is months away. I go with "not over yet. Eta sorry for double post ---
**Author:** ![Lamoral](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lamoral/32/16078_2.png) [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-joe-bidens-campaign-over-before-it-starts/831783/29 "2019-03-31T04:31:38Z")
Having a case to make doesn’t grant any inherent strength to their chances. All Trump needs to do is say “we’ve had four great years, now let’s have four more great years.” I used to like Biden for the nomination but at this point I feel like we have better choices. ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-joe-bidens-campaign-over-before-it-starts/831783/30 "2019-03-31T04:35:01Z")
We’ve had four years of coasting on Obama’s legacy, with incessant lies, corruption and incompetence. The wall is stupid, the deficit is a trillion and the GOP is literally coming for your health care. And a hundred other things. Trump sucks and can be beaten by lots of candidates IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-joe-bidens-campaign-over-before-it-starts/831783/31 "2019-03-31T04:46:15Z")
It is indeed well known. Creepy Biden is a meme, and has been for a while. I’ve been giving that as my reason not to put my hope in him for a while now. We’re in the #metoo era, and this shit is going to be disqualifying in a way it was never before. I’ve been confused why his proponents haven’t seen it as an issue. Warren’s stuff is less of an issue in this climate. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-joe-bidens-campaign-over-before-it-starts/831783/32 "2019-03-31T04:53:08Z")
Hmmm. Watch through the videos in [this thread](https://twitter.com/RAMRANTS/status/930065838387863552?s=19) and if you don’t feel queasy afterward then I guess Unca Joe is your kinda guy. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-joe-bidens-campaign-over-before-it-starts/831783/33 "2019-03-31T06:27:10Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > I don’t think Trump will be steamrolling anybody. He has a devoted base, yes, but he is like running a barn door sized target for reelection. The GOP has plenty of propaganda weapons and dirty tricks, but it is the Dems with an actual case to make. The Bushes and Clinton’s had the two biggest and well connected political machines in the US. Trump beat both of them. Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio were considered the future of the GOP. Trump eviscerated both. There is a reason he is President. Maybe learn from past mistakes? The “Trump has a hilariously large amount of negatives” memes, did not work when he was a failed businessman running for office. You think it will work when he has been President for 4 years? ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-joe-bidens-campaign-over-before-it-starts/831783/34 "2019-03-31T07:15:51Z")
I was unaware of this behavior and am shocked. It’s barely 2019, but I’ve already changed my recommendation more often than I change my shirt. :o _ **I’m now withdrawing my Biden support and offering yet another top choice** _: Cory Booker for President ---
**Author:** ![racepug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@racepug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racepug)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-joe-bidens-campaign-over-before-it-starts/831783/35 "2019-03-31T15:13:19Z")
Clearly there’s a different standard for this sort of behavior between what is tolerated by D.J.T. and what is tolerated by pretty much everybody else. Sad and disgusting. ---
**Author:** ![racepug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@racepug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racepug)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-joe-bidens-campaign-over-before-it-starts/831783/36 "2019-03-31T15:14:26Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > I was unaware of this behavior and am shocked. > > It’s barely 2019, but I’ve already changed my recommendation more often than I change my shirt. :o _ **I’m now withdrawing my Biden support and offering yet another top choice** _: > > Cory Booker for President I’ve had my eye on Cory Booker for some time. I’d vote for him - certainly before I’d EVER vote for the person who currently occupies the W.H.! ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-joe-bidens-campaign-over-before-it-starts/831783/37 "2019-03-31T15:16:49Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > I get Ms. Flores’ point. I also think that holding all past behavior to a standard that did not previously exist, that disqualifying based on things that at the time they occurred would not generally have been realized to be transgressive Oh, bullshit. Touching and kissing strangers in such a manner was recognized as inappropriate 40 years ago, and it’s still inappropriate today. The only thing that’s changed is the power of women to call men out on it. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-joe-bidens-campaign-over-before-it-starts/831783/38 "2019-03-31T15:19:14Z")
> [@racepug](#): > > Clearly there’s a different standard for this sort of behavior between what is tolerated by D.J.T. and what is tolerated by pretty much everybody else. Sad and disgusting. It’s the difference between the standards Dems are willing to apply to one of their own, and the standards that Republicans are willing to apply to one of _their_ own. That’s all. ---
**Author:** ![racepug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@racepug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racepug)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-joe-bidens-campaign-over-before-it-starts/831783/39 "2019-03-31T15:23:01Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > It’s the difference between the standards Dems are willing to apply to one of their own, and the standards that Republicans are willing to apply to one of _their_ own. That’s all. Yeah. That. Such as when the fine Al Franken was taken down by a concerted effort by Sean Flim-Flammity, et al, when what HE had done was NOTHING when compared to the horrible acts committed by you-know-whom. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-joe-bidens-campaign-over-before-it-starts/831783/40 "2019-03-31T15:27:47Z")
[His statement today](https://twitter.com/BillR/status/1112339598699626501) does not quite hit the ideal note, even if it is 100% accurate. > [@](#): > > … I may not recall these moments the same way, and I may be surprised at what I hear. But we have arrived at an important time when women feel they can and should relate their experiences, and men should pay attention. And I will. … What he still needs is an acknowledgement that listening to Ms. Flores has him considering that what he _intends_ with his physical “expressions of affection, support and comfort” may not be what is always received, and that Ms Flores’ point that those in positions of power may not realize that those who are uncomfortable with those physical expressions might be hesitant to speak up is valid. Hold on the recitation of the record on woman’s issues. Go with the simple “It seems that something that I meant as an expression of support instead made Ms. Flores uncomfortable and I am deeply sorry for that. I had no idea and that is to no small degree on me. I am glad we are entering a phase in our society that people feel more free to speak up in any such circumstance and to let others know when such occurs. I promise to listen.” **RTF** bullshit to your bullshit. Politicians hugging strangers, reaching out to kiss babies, and such has been SOP forever. Nothing sexual or intended as a power put down about it. Biden’s awareness of when others don’t like or want it is perhaps _poorer than most_. Again look at that picture I linked to of him with Strom Thurman. Clearly Strom is very unhappy with that physical touch by Joe, fists clenched. Look at the reactions of the others around them. Joe though seems clueless to it all. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-joe-bidens-campaign-over-before-it-starts/831783.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-joe-bidens-campaign-over-before-it-starts/831783.md?page=3)