Biden makes the Affirmative Action argument
posted at 11:45 am on September 15, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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At moments like this, one has to wonder whether Barack Obama regrets his running-mate selection. Going where Obama refused to go during his entire campaign, Joe Biden argued that voters in North Carolina should vote for Obama because of his skin pigmentation rather than his policies or accomplishments. Or perhaps it’s because of his cleanliness and articulation?
Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden, campaigning in North Carolina where black votes could help swing the state to the Democrats, said today that electing a black person to the White House would be transformative.
Biden said the policies of running mate Barack Obama make his presidency even more urgent and declared this to be the most important election that any living person has seen in their lifetime. But he particularly singled out the meaning of electing someone who is black.
“That will be a transformative event in American politics and internationally,” Biden said. “That all by itself will be significant.”
It’s an extension of the Identity Politics Primary that the Democrats conducted this year, which boiled down to whether the party would nominate an African-American or a woman rather than look for experience, electability, and individual accomplishments. This has been the subtext of the Obama campaign all along, but Obama and his team have been smart enough to let proxies make that argument at arm’s length from the candidate. Now Biden has made the Obama campaign look like it needs to make overtly racial pleas to garner votes, and to play on fears and guilt of white voters.
Obama himself warned that the McCain campaign would make an issue of his race. He never offered a single shred of evidence for it, and at least some of the media remained skeptical of Obama’s claims. Joe Biden now has completely undermined this argument, and stupidly put the issue directly on the table. What does that gain him? Obama had 90% of the black vote locked up, and anyone inclined to vote for Obama out of some sense of collective guilt and expiation had long ago made that calculation on his own.
McCain won’t touch this, of course, nor should he. Res ipsa loquitur. (via Michelle)
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Imagine Obama as President
leetpriest on September 15, 2008 at 11:51 AM
What’s that saying again? Give a person enough rope and he’ll hang himself.
Richard Romano on September 15, 2008 at 11:52 AM
How about electing someone who is actually qualified and has the people’s interests come first. Now that would be tansfomative and significant.
poxoma on September 15, 2008 at 11:53 AM
is this called thin skinned politics?
DaveC on September 15, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Oh boy. The democrats love playing identity politics.
jencab on September 15, 2008 at 11:53 AM
I think Biden is the Forest Gump of the left.
JiangxiDad on September 15, 2008 at 11:54 AM
I am watching live streaming of the Palin event in Golden Colorado and it really is like a Rock Concert.
Todd Palin is working the crowd like a pro. He has a big smile on his face and looks 100% comfortable in his own skin.
These Biden events must be like nap time in comparison.
…Now the crowd is chanting, “Sarah, Sarah, Sarah”
Magnificent!
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/politics/17328106/detail.html
Elizabetty on September 15, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Obama has taken, and lost, both sides of every issue. It has been an intellectual travesty of the highest order. He explicitly pointed to his name to prove his foreign policy creds to the Chicago Tribune during the primary (a stupid argument) and then claimed that anyone saying his name was trying to brand him a muslim (an even dumber argument).
I can’t wait for this election to be over so BHO can get to his real calling as an annoying reality-show contestant.
progressoverpeace on September 15, 2008 at 11:55 AM
But he particularly singled out the meaning of electing someone who is black.
I wonder what Dr. King would say about that.
Tony737 on September 15, 2008 at 11:55 AM
On the other hand…if a Biden makes a gaffe on an empty airplane and there’s no one there to hear it…
Typhoon on September 15, 2008 at 11:56 AM
The Pigmentation Candidate
YIPPEEE !!!
franksalterego on September 15, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Dr. King is spinning in his grave.
jukin on September 15, 2008 at 11:56 AM
MCCAIN IS PLAYING THE RACE CARD!!!!!!!
Oh, wait.
BadgerHawk on September 15, 2008 at 11:56 AM
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” MLK, Jr
Elizabetty on September 15, 2008 at 11:57 AM
JOE BIDEN is the best addition to the TICKET…… MC CAIN could have picked…”WHAT A MAROON.” Quote B. BUNNY…
pueblo1032 on September 15, 2008 at 11:57 AM
I’ll take “Thomas Eagleton” for the block, Pat.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on September 15, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Naw, Forrest Gump always managed to come out on top.
BrianA on September 15, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Arrrggghh – I just sent a letter earlier this morning to the WSJ about an article they ran today about blacks thinking we’d all be racists if The One isn’t elected.
What BS Biden is spewing. I do NOT agree with any of BO’s policies and thus will NOT vote for him. To trot this crap out as if we are going to be guilted into voting for BO just because he’s black is really twisting the white guilt knife. This is sick. How many blacks would vote for a black Conservative over Hillary if McCain had picked one over Palin? NONE! They vote lockstep with the socialist party.
DerKrieger on September 15, 2008 at 11:58 AM
O!:
This campaign is not about race…
Joey B.:
Did I mention he was black???
RocketmanBob on September 15, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Vote for Obama, he’s
blackhalf-black. And did I mention he has a funny name?TooTall on September 15, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Joe Biden’s picture should be on the three dollar bill.
Elizabetty on September 15, 2008 at 11:59 AM
LOL. That’s what I mean. So does Biden. Well, he’s never gonna be VP or Pres., but look at all the fun he’s having. He’s a dumb bastard, but so clueless about that that you gotta laugh. “I’m gonna smack him in the chops.” Hahahahahaha.
JiangxiDad on September 15, 2008 at 12:00 PM
I love how Slates homepage is giving Obama permission to be dishonest, as if he hasn’t been before. Throw in some racism, classicism, a lot of media backing, and lying (no McCain never said you had a funny name fu**face) and we’ve got… a lot of slipping and sliding in polls.
Cardiganfox on September 15, 2008 at 12:01 PM
After the Obama campaign has reached for every possible statement from McCain as a code word for black Joe Biden jumps onto the poop with both feet. He’s our secret weapon.
scrubjay on September 15, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Biden can’t stand not making the headlines. It’s only a matter of time before Obama gives Biden a pair of scissors and tells him to start running with them in hand.
Rick on September 15, 2008 at 12:02 PM
“He touted the Obama-Biden plan to provide universal health care, and guaranteed such a plan by the end of their first term.”
oh, PLEASE keep pushing the equivalent of hillarycare joe, it has worked SO well for y’all …
Buckaroo on September 15, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Intrade have any odds on when he’s officially declared senile?
JiangxiDad on September 15, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Since Obama is half white, doesn’t that make him half RACIST?
Rick on September 15, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Just remember that if Obama is elected, this will not go away. At that point the unspoken meme will be that it will be bad for the country if the first black president turns out to be an incompetent failure. The MSM will back him up for that reason alone.
PackerBronco on September 15, 2008 at 12:03 PM
That Biden pick was sheer genius, Rove you magnifcient b$%stard.
mustng66 on September 15, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Biden just wrapped up another stultifyingly gloomy speech on the TV. I didn’t notice him saying anything especially stupid, but man, what a lousy pick.
forest on September 15, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Are you saying he’s queer?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on September 15, 2008 at 12:05 PM
I believe the full quote was “What a dope. What a maroon.”…if I remember my college years correctly.
Patrick S on September 15, 2008 at 12:06 PM
If you think like Bidet’oopps Biden
We should just let “O” Dumby win.
Why are we so worried that he will he will govern from the far left. Just because he says so.
He has Kum-Bi-Ya leadership qualities.
Rick007 on September 15, 2008 at 12:06 PM
pueblo,
“…”WHAT A MAROON.” Quote B. BUNNY…”
I believe that Biden would qualify for one of Bugs’ “What an ultra-maroon!” quotes.
exhelodrvr on September 15, 2008 at 12:07 PM
No. But there is speculation on whether he will be withdrawn from the ticket.
Current price: 7.5 (+1.2)
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on September 15, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Oh well, you must give Biden credit for pointing out the strongest argument the Obama campaign has left.
evenfarer on September 15, 2008 at 12:07 PM
How much anyone want to wager that Biden’s chief speechwriter (I have a hard time believing he alone is writing the drivel he has been spouting off in public lately!) is on his way to joining the masses thrown under the B.O. bus?
pilamaye on September 15, 2008 at 12:08 PM
No, just ridiculous.
I forgot about that saying.
Then again, queer in the traditional, non-sexual reference, he is a bit queer.
Elizabetty on September 15, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Hmmm Aren’t the offspring of MLK fighting for his money????
Typ Black mentality
Rick007 on September 15, 2008 at 12:10 PM
I see stupid democrats everywhere, and they don’t know they’re stupid
evenkeel on September 15, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Even SLOW JOE knows why the Dems picked Obama, who is LESS qualified than Sarah Palin over their other choices.
Now we KNOW why Joe got so FEW votes….
originalpechanga on September 15, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Fact of the matter it probably does.
P.S. For the record and Mr. Biden’s information, Barak Obama is multi-racial, not black.
highhopes on September 15, 2008 at 12:10 PM
O/T ALERT,RUSH is on a roll on Hopey!
canopfor on September 15, 2008 at 12:11 PM
(sigh). Since you are all undoubtably huge admirers of Dr. King and know much more about him than just the “content of their character” quote, I’m sure you also know that he actually supported affirmative action.
crr6 on September 15, 2008 at 12:13 PM
Affirmative Action is a lot like good intentions . They really don’t mean anything. It’s sounds like Obama just wants McCain to concede the election and give him the presidency because it’s only right that the minority have it. He isn’t now, nor will he ever be qualified to be POTUS. He seems to think it is owed him, just like his Ivy League Law Degree.
Tommy_G on September 15, 2008 at 12:14 PM
That would have been sometime around the 1980’s.
Les in NC on September 15, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Somebody take his Hopium away!
wildweasel on September 15, 2008 at 12:16 PM
“I have a dream that my four grown children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the the quality of their character, but by the color of their ballot.”
Joe Biden
drjohn on September 15, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Der Gaffenmeister keeps on giving.
Entelechy on September 15, 2008 at 12:18 PM
Let the “UNITY BRIGADE”,thats the Democratic Party,
play with the ‘Fairy Tale’ ordeal,that has caused
a civil war within their own party!
MEMO: to the RNC,don’t touch this with a TEN FOOT POLE,
actually the further away,the better!
Let Team Obama,and the other half,which would be
the bitter HilRods, stew in their own mess that they
created!!
canopfor on September 15, 2008 at 12:18 PM
I do not say this lightly so be sure you read it slowly.
You idiot.
You have no earthly idea what WE know or do not know about MLK. And we sure as hell do KNOW that he did not want people advance SIMPLY because of the color of thier skin.
Elizabetty on September 15, 2008 at 12:18 PM
Not only is Biden catering to a group that is already committed to their ticket, he’s also encouraging a lot of anger if the Dems don’t win.
The Dems never cease to amaze me with their lack of responsibility. If Barry and Biden lose in November, they will take a long vacation while the rest of us deal with the mess.
Cody1991 on September 15, 2008 at 12:18 PM
What’s your point? That affirmative action should apply to how we elect our president?
Rick on September 15, 2008 at 12:19 PM
You know…..and they say Bush is retarded. Jeesh!
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on September 15, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Biden and Aunt Esther appearing together at a rally in a black neighborhood is my fondest hope at this point. They wouldn’t be able to resist.
a capella on September 15, 2008 at 12:20 PM
This year:
“No way will I vote for a woman”.
“No way will I vote for a black”.
“No way will I vote for union”.
“No way will I vote against union”.
In that booth, just between you and you, it will all be decided.
Entelechy on September 15, 2008 at 12:21 PM
heh…politicians have been signing this “black person in power” schtick for a while now. when my cousin said this, I told her to look at the city of Philly and ask herself what black men in power have done for the city. I still don’t have an answer.
bloghooligan on September 15, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Hussein-Biten, the Euro-ticket.
saved on September 15, 2008 at 12:22 PM
3 against 1, Obama doesn’t have a chance…
right2bright on September 15, 2008 at 12:23 PM
this is all, just, too delicious…
jimmer on September 15, 2008 at 12:24 PM
“Now, my running mate is going to uh, try to scare you. He’s going to say that, I’ve uh, got a funny name. Uh, that I don’t uh, look like the other presidents on the uh, dollar bills…”
Akzed on September 15, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Glad to have you aboard. As said in a favorite movie of mine “You have a way of cutting through the B.S.”
Les in NC on September 15, 2008 at 12:24 PM
I forgot one for this year
“No way will I vote for an older person”.
Entelechy on September 15, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Could Biden be a paid agent of Hillary’s??? Kind of a double agent.
We need one of our songters to put together a song from “secret agent man”.
right2bright on September 15, 2008 at 12:25 PM
No, only a racist would say that a graduate of Harvard Law, state senator and federal senator has made it this far solely because of the color of his skin. It just irks me when conservatives throw his words around when he himself was anything but conservative.
crr6 on September 15, 2008 at 12:26 PM
If Biden is to be removed, it has to be done this week, otherwise their is not enough time to introduce Veep #2.
right2bright on September 15, 2008 at 12:27 PM
He was not, nor dreamed of, what liberals of today are, or have in mind.
Entelechy on September 15, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Oh…my…god…
What’s next, they gonna’ call McCain a cracker?!
Wyznowski on September 15, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Also, Obama is not a post-partisan anything. He’s a partisan hack, and the next few weeks will expose that beyond the nakedness he’s already displayed.
Entelechy on September 15, 2008 at 12:30 PM
To quote Karl Rove “HE IS A BLOWHARD DOOFUS”
titus_pullo on September 15, 2008 at 12:30 PM
The problem with Affirmative Action is that it selectively accelerates the Peter Principle, and elevates unqualified people into positions for which they are unprepared, setting them up for failure.
Imagine two students with similar aptitudes and desire to pursue an engineering career, but one is black and the other white. The black kid might be offered admission to MIT or Caltech, where his chances of failure are greater, while the white kid goes to Kansas State or Texas Tech, and has a much better shot at earning a less-prestigious engineering degree.
Fast forward five years, and the black kid has dropped out of school, and is burdened with student loans that aren’t doing him any good, while the white kid has a good (but not as good as the actual MIT graduates get) job as an engineer.
Rather than giving preferential treatment in jobs and higher education, how about improving the quality of education the disadvantaged classes get between birth and high school? Could we give their parents the choice to send them to better schools than the abysmal government-run institutions?
Yes, we can! (Just have to say NO to the teachers’ unions.)
The Monster on September 15, 2008 at 12:31 PM
So Obama is advancing solely because of his skin color? Do you think Dr. King would believe this? And if you are such a devout scholar of his writings, what was his opinion on affirmative action then? Also if you knew anything about Affirmative action, you would know it is not about someone advancing simply because of the color of their skin. You’re giving yourself away more and more.
crr6 on September 15, 2008 at 12:31 PM
crr6, I’ll make it easy:
- Obama is on the top of your ticket because he’s black.
- Plain is on the bottom of our ticket because she’s a woman.
You made it all be so, and must live with it.
Entelechy on September 15, 2008 at 12:33 PM
But he particularly singled out the meaning of electing someone who is black.
I wonder what Dr. King would say about that.
Tony737 on September 15, 2008 at 11:55 A
Marines for Mccain on September 15, 2008 at 12:33 PM
I’ll believe it when Teh One releases his transcripts. Until then….
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on September 15, 2008 at 12:34 PM
If not his skin color, then exactly what are Obama’s qualifications?
It isn’t his experience. He has none.
It isn’t his judgement. He’s shown that he has none.
It isn’t his character. He’s shown that he is just another politician.
What is it?
Why can’t conservatives use his words?
Why can’t conservatives point out that modern liberals are not living up to the dream that they claim to espouse?
MarkTheGreat on September 15, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Uh…Ed? I think you’re shorting him a bit on that. I tried to find a single poll that addresses the current levels of support by race, but can’t find one. Odd, that. No one seems to want to talk about that – but they’re all champing at the bit to talk about white Democrat racists who might cross over for McCain.
I am putting Obama’s support by African Americans at 97%. Prove me wrong.
Jaibones on September 15, 2008 at 12:37 PM
I’m looking forward to see, ahead of the election:
- all his grades in college
- his thesis
- his bar results
- is he still an active lawyer, up to date with everything, why, and why not?
- is Michelle still an active lawyer, why, why not?
This w/b a good start.
Entelechy on September 15, 2008 at 12:37 PM
I believe that Dr. King was also quite clear that his support for affirmative action was quite limited, and for a limited time.
He never envisioned it being the all encompasing, in perpetuity beast that modern liberals have turned it into.
MarkTheGreat on September 15, 2008 at 12:38 PM
You said “Plain”. Heh. I think she’s fancy, myself.
Jaibones on September 15, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Yes because relatively young, charismatic, good looking, Democratic senators who are white have never made it to the top of the Democratic ticket.
At least you’re half right.
crr6 on September 15, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Lest we forget what Biden really thinks:
Thanks Biden, you are making the job easy…
right2bright on September 15, 2008 at 12:39 PM
“transformative” is just a high-falutin’ word for Change (TM). There’s nothing new here.
If I read the words right, he said “choice” wouldn’t be a decider for a Supreme Court nominee. Biden obviously hasn’t been listening to his bishop at all, and now he just lied.
Finally, they promise women equal pay for equal work, but won’t promise to give them the jobs that would allow that equal pay. Didn’t a bunch of Democratic women defect to the McCain campaign because Obama wouldn’t make any promise about female representation in his cabinet in proportion to their population, while McCain promised increased representation by that same demographic? In fact, if Obama were really concerned about women, Biden wouldn’t be the VP nominee at all. But I guess Biden already said that — I’m sorry.
unclesmrgol on September 15, 2008 at 12:40 PM
The medical records would be good, too. The 1-page doctor’s note doesn’t cut it.
If you haven’t read it, here’s a link to Jack Cashill’s recent column on Teh One and how he became an editor of the Harvard Law Review.
Why Obama is Mum About Harvard
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on September 15, 2008 at 12:40 PM
I’m known to transpose, or eat letters, when in a hurry. Just fix it :)
Entelechy on September 15, 2008 at 12:40 PM
crr6 on September 15, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Did you have John F. Kennedy in mind?
Entelechy on September 15, 2008 at 12:42 PM
crr6 on September 15, 2008 at 12:13 PM
Dr. King was also a REPUBLICAN because it was a REPUBLICAN who brought an end to slavery (until the demoncrats figured out how to re-enslave African-Americans with empty promises of grandeur); and it was the Democratic Party that defended slavery, created Jim Crow & the KKK, separate but equal, etc.
Don’t forget that it was Obambi’s arab ancestors that enslaved Michelle’s ancestors to be sold off to the slave trade in the New World.
calguyintexas on September 15, 2008 at 12:43 PM
Really, why? Were his words “code” for some other purpose, or do you think that he didn’t really mean them as they have been interpreted?
Jaibones on September 15, 2008 at 12:43 PM
Does it irk you just as much when Obama fancies to compare himself to Lincoln and Reagan?
Entelechy on September 15, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Yep, most Americans including myself would agree that Affirmative Action should be temporary. I personally believe however, that given the still stark inequalities between blacks and whites in income, education and wealth MLK would still support its use today. Of course that’s up for debate.
The first half of your post is all partisan cr*p, but I’m curious as to what you mean by the second half. Of course conservatives can use his words, but I don’t think they should misrepresent, twist and demagogue his words. How is nominating a black president not living up to MLK’s dream? If anything one could argue it is the culmination of his dream.
crr6 on September 15, 2008 at 12:47 PM
Yep. Or Clinton maybe.
Yes. Especially Reagan.
crr6 on September 15, 2008 at 12:48 PM
I guess Obama is the Melanin-laden candidate now. We are voting merely on Melanin content and not character or ideas.
Cool…..not
JP1986UM on September 15, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Of course minus the “senator” part.
crr6 on September 15, 2008 at 12:50 PM
bloghooligan on September 15, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Not in Philly, but look at the accomplishments of Kwame Kilpatrick:
Just sayin’
tru2tx on September 15, 2008 at 12:51 PM
crr6, what does Obama have in common with Lincoln? Talk about accomplishments, not idealistic blabber. Can’t compare Palin with Thatcher yet, thus, can’t compare Obama on thought, just on facts, please.
All, please read this contribution by the great Lileks, via Kralizec, from another HA thread.
Entelechy on September 15, 2008 at 12:51 PM
That’s not the Joe I know! ; o )
christene on September 15, 2008 at 12:51 PM
It’s definitely the Joe I know.
Rick on September 15, 2008 at 12:58 PM
Obama has already proven that he can’t manage a budget:
– his campaign is spending money like a drunk sailor to little effect.
He has proven that he can’t manage a staff:
– they keep doing/saying things that he later has to apologize for before firing them
He has proven that he makes poor position filling government posts:
– Biden was chosen to widen his base, but he’s doing the opposite.
And yet Obama cites running for president as his primary qualification for being president.
29Victor on September 15, 2008 at 1:03 PM
Bwahahahah…another one bites the dust…
Now you’ve called everyone against Obama a racist by-proxy. Real smooth.
Sir Andrew on September 15, 2008 at 1:07 PM
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