Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

It’s pointless to bring up problems that can only be solved with a time machine.

When someone says they “love freedom”, rest assured they don’t mean yours.

Many life forms that would benefit from greater intelligence, sadly, do not have it.

Republicans do not trust women.

The worst democrat is better than the best republican.

The fundamental promise of conservatism all over the world is a return to an idealized past that never existed.

A democracy can’t function when people can’t distinguish facts from lies.

New McCarthy, same old McCarthyism.

They want us to be overwhelmed and exhausted. Focus. Resist. Oppose.

Never entrust democracy to any process that requires Republicans to act in good faith.

It’s the corruption, stupid.

Putin must be throwing ketchup at the walls.

Books are my comfort food!

The arc of the moral universe does not bend itself. it is up to us to bend it.

I see no possible difficulties whatsoever with this fool-proof plan.

Insiders who complain to politico: please report to the white house office of shut the fuck up.

Live so that if you miss a day of work people aren’t hoping you’re dead.

One of our two political parties is a cult whose leader admires Vladimir Putin.

… gradually, and then suddenly.

Innocent people do not delay justice.

The real work of an opposition party is to hold the people in power accountable.

It is possible to do the right thing without the promise of a cookie.

When you’re in more danger from the IDF than from Russian shelling, that’s really bad.

’Where will you hide, Roberts, the laws all being flat?’

You are here: Home / Elections / Election 2016 / Open Thread: Uncle Joe

Open Thread: Uncle Joe

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The Media Villagers discover their long-missing inner feminist and demand to know: Has Joe Biden’s Behavior Finally Gone Too Far? Just putting the question out there! Meanwhile, back in the world, Dave Weigel reports:

COLUMBIA, S.C.–Vice President Joe Biden has said he’ll fish or cut bait on a 2016 White House bid by “the end of the summer.” He said this in Iowa, last week–and not long after, he scheduled a trip to South Carolina, which happens to hold the first Southern primary of 2016. Americans were not to read too much into this, as Biden was joining Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx on the five-day “Grow America” tour to raise awareness of infrastructure needs.

Biden and Foxx spent the morning at Charleston’s Wando Welch Terminal, accompanied by local Republican Representative Mark Sanford. Come afternoon, the vice president and Foxx joined Democratic Representative James Clyburn–who, unlike Sanford, Biden had never campaigned against–at Columbia’s Owen Steel Co. They were joined by Columbia Mayor Stephen Benjamin…

There was no real project to announce in Columbia. Foxx and Biden both talked of the city’s notorious “malfunction junction,” the congested interchange of Interstate Highways 20 and 26. “Lanes designed to carry 10-20 cars per mile now handle up to 40 cars per mile,” said Biden, talking with some emotion about workers and family members wasting hours of their lives in traffic.

But the cost of fixing the “junction” is estimated at $700 million. Neither the new Republican Congress nor South Carolina’s Republican legislature–which is currently debating whether to save money by shutting a historically black college–is ponying up. That left Biden resorting to analogy. “Our highway infrastructure is at a crossroads–not just at I-20 and I-26,” he said. He hoped “the debate” about spending on roads was ending, but could not promise it.

What he could offer was a speech that veered from political nostalgia to campaign jokes to multiple put-downs of China. “Your sons are not going to hear about outsourcing,” crowed Biden to a crowd shivering slightly in 48-degree weather. “They’re going to hear about in-sourcing!” This was because “intellectual property is not stolen” in America, and “American workers are three times as productive as they are in China.”…

Biden finished his speech shortly after 2:30. He had one more stop to make: Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles, a restaurant with mostly black clientele, on the outskirts of town. When he arrived, a surprised crowd of late eaters raised their cell phones, snapping pictures or asking for selfies. There was no shoulder-rubbing, no joking. Biden grabbed a seat between two Democratic state representatives Todd Rutherford and James E. Smith, the former having endorsed Barack Obama in the 2008 primaries. The press was ushered out just as Biden ordered the red velvet waffles that Rutherford had recommended.

Whether or not Biden chooses to run in 2016 — and right now I wouldn’t bet either way — I’m glad he’ll be out there for the next two years, proudly Democratic, reminding people which party has their back when it comes to actual jobs and American infrastructure.

********
Apart from that, what’s on the agenda for the evening?

Reader Interactions

59Comments

  4. 4.

    David Koch

    A total of 11,400.000 Americans enrolled for coverage through an ACA marketplace, well ahead of the 10,300,000 enrollees the Obama administration projected before this year’s open-enrollment process began.

    An additional 13,300,000 have received coverage through the Medicaid expansion.

    Another 3,130,000 million have received insurance by allowing parents to keep their children on their coverage to age 26.

    Obama is gonna look great in the remake of “North by Northwest”.

  7. 7.

    Trentrunner

    Biden needs to respect people’s space, especially women’s space.

    We–rightly–thought it was at least unseemly when Dubya did this sort of thing (e.g, to Angela Merkel).

    We could at least try to be consistent.

    And if you think this is a one-off for the VP, take a look at his Senate swearing-in videos, where he greets the Senators’ families quite, quite creepily.

    Someone needs to pull him aside and tell him to stop.

  8. 8.

    Another Holocene Human

    @David Koch: I’m waiting for when tax penalty day hits … when you ask can people be that stupid … the answer is a resounding YES … with a little help from your namesake and Rupert Murdoch.

  10. 10.

    Violet

    I love Uncle Joe. I don’t know if he’d be a great President but he’s my favorite Vice President ever.

  11. 11.

    a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)

    @Trentrunner: As much as I adore kooky Uncle Joe for his kookiness, this is quite true. He needs to respect boundaries, especially those of women. He may be my favorite Vice President, but this recurring behavior is unacceptable.

    That photo above is wrenching because it’s so visible how uncomfortable she is. Shame on him. I see a letter to the Vice President in my future.

  13. 13.

    jl

    She doesn’t seem as uncomfortable as Merkel did after Dub’s shoulder rub.

    But Biden is a grown-up, and if he deserves to be criticized, then let him have it.

    Hate to bring this up, but the age thing? Has he always been like this? I never paid attention to him for a long time.
    Is his judgment going?

    Glad he has about zero chance to go anywhere in 2016, though I think he would be a net plus to have in primaries, as long as his behavior doesn’t get any worse.

  15. 15.

    raven

    Baloney, doesn’t anyone know that you can take a still shot from a video and make it into anything you want it to be?

    Here’s what really happened when Joe Biden whispered to the new Defense Secretary’s wife

    In this case, Biden said at the ceremony he has known Ash Carter for years and, when you watch the full video, it doesn’t appear entirely obvious that he makes Stephanie Carter uncomfortable. In fact, she nods her head in agreement after Biden talks to her. If you watch for more than a Vine’s-length, the ceremony goes on normally after the whisper seen ’round the Web.

  16. 16.

    Pogonip

    I got out of the house today! At my age, and with a pulled, perhaps torn glute, this is what passes for excitement. The only thing more exciting would be a pupdate.

  18. 18.

    khead

    @Violet:

    Same here. I loves me some Uncle Joe. Maybe it’s because I live so close to DE now (Elkton, MD). Not sure, but I love the guy. BJ folks will probably tell me I hate women.

    Re: Mason KITTEH. Some jackass dropped him off on the mean streets of Rehoboth Beach, DE 18 months ago. Then, someone brought him all the way to Newark, DE to drop him off at a local vet that we know. Their loss.

    Most. Awesome. Kitteh. Ever.

  20. 20.

    max

    The Media Villagers discover their long-missing inner feminist and demand to know: Has Joe Biden’s Behavior Finally Gone Too Far?

    And Hiltlery Clinton is still a secret lesbian dedicated to destroying all men as they, no doubt, will soon inform us.

    @a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q): As much as I adore kooky Uncle Joe for his kookiness, this is quite true. He needs to respect boundaries, especially those of women. He may be my favorite Vice President, but this recurring behavior is unacceptable.

    It seems to me that somebody should tell him that if he gives back massages to the women, he should give them to the men too.

    max
    [’10 bucks says he goes for it.’]

  24. 24.

    jl

    @raven: OK, thanks Video doesn’t look nearly as bad. And looks like his whisper wasn’t a pick-up line, since she indicated slightly amused agreement.

    Still, his age suddenly occurred to me. Maintain, Joe, maintain! Only two more years to go, or until you start you doomed primary campaign. (I have reluctantly become a Biden fan of sorts, but have to keep it real).

  25. 25.

    jl

    @max:

    ” It seems to me that somebody should tell him that if he gives back massages to the women, he should give them to the men too. ”

    As the RW BS meme- and gotcha mobile ramps up for 2016, might need a Biden schmoozing media-watch to debunk any misleading pics and stories. Some front poster can monitor it and let us know. I won’t watch. Not that big a Biden fan.

  30. 30.

    PhilbertDesanex

    He just lost me, and I’m a guy FWIFW. Who does he think he is, George W Bush on Merkel? Wonder if he will try that on Hillary?

  31. 31.

    Hal

    Huh. So apparently someone went in on Jessica Williams when she said she wasn’t ready to host The Daily Show. Williams is 25 and said she didn’t feel ready or qualified yet. That’s her decision to make. She would know better than anyone whether or not she could handle the job. Her responses at the link.

    After Jessica Williams declared that she does not want to replace Jon Stewart, a journalist decided it to diagnose Williams with “imposter syndome” (the idea that a woman in a male dominated field doesn’t feel as if they’re not doing enough to be in said position) and this was Williams response.

    original article:

    http://thebillfold.com/2015/02/on-the-daily-shows-jessica-williams-the-latest-high-profile-victim-of-impostor-syndrome/

    Williams responses:

    http://bonitaapplebelle.tumblr.com/post/111315296276/after-jessica-williams-declared-that-she-does-not

  32. 32.

    Mike in NC

    Highways in South Carolina are in deplorable condition, as are the bridges, schools, and most everything else, for that matter. The price for keeping taxes on the rich as low as possible.

  34. 34.

    Scott Peterson

    If you view the entire video, it appears she’s uncomfortable in the spotlight, not from Biden’s behavior—she seems to actually relax slightly when he whispers to her. Having said that, yeah, I really like the guy but wish he would knock this the hell off.

  35. 35.

    Baud

    The Onion Biden (via a comment on this topic on Reddit)

    Biden Loses Control Of Butterfly Knife During Commencement Speech

    COLUMBIA, SC—Advising the 1,500 new graduates to “check out this shit,” Vice President Joe Biden reportedly lost control of his rapidly twirling butterfly knife Saturday while delivering the commencement speech at the University of South Carolina. “Son of a bitch,” said Biden as the butterfly knife slipped from his grip, pinwheeled across the stage, and slid beneath the provost’s seat. “Sorry, everybody. That never happens. Man, I had it going awesome earlier, but I’m sweatin’ balls up here. Damn, that fucker’s sharp as hell.” Biden, who sources confirmed appeared to be slurping blood from a small wound on his hand, continued the commencement address by heavily quoting from the Whitesnake song “Slide It In.”

  36. 36.

    BruceFromOhio

    @Trentrunner: Someone needs to pull him aside and tell him to stop.

    Man from the outside it is so easy. GET THE HELL AWAY FROM HER, YOU MAGGOT.

    The you find out later he was saying, “He’s a good man doing a tough job, and I’m glad he’s here.”

    Until he or she fesses up and says so, you and I really don’t know. We’re looking at a picture and projecting what we think, without knowing the conversation before and after, without the benefit of knowing whether they are friends, enemies, or just met for the first time a few minutes ago. It could be wrong or right or totally inadequate. I sure as hell do not know, and neither do you. Is he a dirty old man? A good friend who cares? A pervert? A sensitive guy who understands? A rotten, dirty, Gaia-help-me-I’m-gonna-put-you-in-ICU guy with too much power and not enough sense?

    You tell me.

  37. 37.

    jl

    @Hal: Thanks for noting that. Gives me an excuse to publicly declare my undying love for Jessica Williams. I swoon. And… I think she is funny.

    But enough chit chat. Williams doesn’t seem like she has any self-confidence problems to me, or any imposter syndrome. I think she she wants to to control her career and call her shots.

    I think she might be pretty darn good as host, and she may be making a mistake. But who knows, really? If she feels not ready, then better to bide her time rather than flame out early. And after Colbert, Oliver and Wilmore, who wants to be the the first Night Show alum to not look good taking on a whole show?

    Not sure Wilmore’s show will survive. I fear his budget is getting skimped. But I don’t think anyone can say it, or Wilmore, didn’t start out looking good and I’ve liked what I’ve seen.

  42. 42.

    a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)

    @raven: Thanks man. Context is important, and it’s clear from the video that Mrs. Carter isn’t troubled at all. The still catches just the right second where it appears she looks uncomfortable, though not as much as Merkel with Bush, as was mentioned earlier.

    I’ve been arguing about the insipid abusive “romance” of 50 Shades of Controlling Asshole, and I’m kinda oversensitive to images right now. Thanks for setting me straight, raven. I can always count on you.

  43. 43.

    Botsplainer

    I’m just gonna say I envy the guy. I suspect he can charm the undies off all sorts of women.

    I’m also gonna say I find her to be milf-y hot. Carter is a lucky man.

  45. 45.

    Shana

    Since so many of you have encyclopedic knowledge of music: who wrote/recorded the song “Syracuse University”? It’s from the early 80’s, very poppy. I’m drawing a blank and someone asked me about it. The google hasn’t been helpful.

  47. 47.

    Elie

    @Iowa Old Lady:

    I agree with you there, even though the video does make the reality behind the picture more acceptable. Best policy for him is to just don’t…. A dry little peck on the cheek is ok — its the HANDS that present a problem…

  48. 48.

    jl

    @Elie: Problem is, Biden seems to have been very close friends, buds, BFF, with everybody whose anybody, for forever. He needs to check himself a little and show some restraint when cameras are around, if such a thing is possible.

    But the dirty old man meme is out there now, so I am sure we will hear and see every possible instance until Obama is out of office. Some people (hint for Biden: the guy ahead of you) can give you some tips on how to show restraint.

    Maintain, Joe, dammit!

  49. 49.

    a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)

    @raven:

    I also think all this foot stomping and pronouncements about it disempowers Stephanie Carter. I’m assuming she can take care of herself.

    Your opinion is dead on, in my view. And your comment about the paternalistic – and condescending to a grown woman with agency – foot stomping is insightful. I got caught projecting outrage at idiots who won’t see the abusive themes in 50 Shades of Stupid onto a misleading still. Mea culpa.

  51. 51.

    jl

    @a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q): Males infest the media who have ‘issues’ including abusive issues, with all sorts of people who are not just like them in every way: Limbaugh, Mornin’ Joe, Matthews, Carlson (sp? -the Daily Caller guy), etc. Sometimes I think having personality problems is a requirement for being a big time corporate media himbo in the US. Make a worse impression than most national politicians, and that is a pretty low bar.

    I jumped the gun a little too. And if turns out this is not what it seemed, Biden does get a little out there, and I remember the fuss over his shmoozing at a searing in ceremony where I seriously doubt he could say he had been very close BFF with all those people.

    Biden is a grown-up, and he’ll live if people criticize him. Better safe than sorry in calling him out when he draws attention. But also need to call BS when it turns out to be BS.

  52. 52.

    mclaren

    @Violet:

    I love Uncle Joe. I don’t know if he’d be a great President but he’s my favorite Vice President ever.

    Between Uncle Joe Stalin Biden calling for “another d-day in the war on drugs” and urging for 5 long years that we continue the endless pointless unwinnable war in Iraq, what’s not to like?

    Who else but Uncle Joe Stalin Biden would describe Julian Assange as “a high-tech terrorist”?

    And who do we have to thank for those asset forfeiture laws on the books that make it legal for police to steal your property without charging you with a crime?

    Uncle Joe Stalin Biden!

    Uncle Joe Stalin Biden for president – MORE DRUG WAR, MORE FOREIGN WARS, MORE ASSET FORFEITURE, MORE PANOPTICON SURVEILLANCE.

    Oh, and by the way…Joe Biden is the guy who wrote the original language for the USA TREASON PATRIOT ACT, except Biden offered the bill in 1955 and called it the Omnibus Anti-Terrorism Bill. So if you like the president having the power to kidnap an torture and murder U.S. citizens without charging them with a crime or having a trial, you’ll love Uncle Joe Stalin Biden.

  53. 53.

    khead

    @mclaren:

    Well, sure. Because none of that stuff would be going on without Uncle Joe Stalin.

    Try to enjoy the cat pics. I think they are pretty good but I am biased.

  54. 54.

    BruceFromOhio

    For those interested in a brief history of Stalin, plenty of linky goodness. Rest assured Wikipedia is in on the jinx, clearly it’s all lies, more lies, and even more lies, because the voices in my head tell me any other Joe is probably worse.

    Sorry, I have to go, the President of Venezuela Namibia Yemen Cambodia Canada is here to chop off my hands while burning my crops.

  58. 58.

    Jake Nelson

    It’s not just women, FYI. He gets real close like that with everyone. One time I met him at a DC event when he was running for the nomination, and he was SUPER close with me the whole time we were talking, had his hand on my shoulder for half of it. It is a little uncomfortable, especially for people like me who have personal space issues anyway, but he’s got this tremendous presence in person that even other candidates didn’t have (Hillary came close, Obama’s was much less).

  59. 59.

    patty

    i’ve been a democrat all my life; my family are democrats for generations. but no matter what party, a creep is a creep. and joe biden is a creep. if he put his hands on me, i would punch him. my mother used to have a boyfriend just like him.

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