2020 Democratic candidate Joe Biden apologized on Saturday for his nostalgic remarks about his relationships with hardline segregationists while serving in Congress.
“Was I wrong a few weeks ago to somehow give the impression to people that I was praising those men who I successfully opposed time and again? Yes, I was,” Biden said at a campaign event in South Carolina. “I regret it. And I’m sorry for any of the pain or misconception I may have caused anybody.”
The former vice president touted his “civility” with segregationists like former Sens. James Eastland (D-MS) and Herman Talmadge (D-GA) almost three weeks ago. Since then, Biden’s come under fire for both the comments and his record of opposing busing, which was exposed during the Democratic debate when Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) torched him for his history on race.
Watch Biden below:
Biden apologizes for his comments about segregationists pic.twitter.com/XzBTX0Ko4U
— TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) July 7, 2019
Not that this change of attitude will affect him dramatically, but it’s time to fire his advisors.
He hasn’t apologized to Booker yet, for saying “Cory knows better. He should apologize”.
Cory was right. Biden was wrong, and finally admitted it.
OT – USA 2 - 0 NED
Rapinoe with first goal.
He admitted what many POC already knew but the white male media (and even many on TPM) failed to see: Harris/Booker were right and Biden was wrong. This is an important and welcome concession from Biden. His gaffe prone tongue and the dragging out of this matter has cost him dearly, and he will have to do a re-set. It’s possible he can do it as he remains a good trial heat match up w/Trump. It’s also important b/c he had been attempting to gaslight Harris on this. She didn’t back down. She and her team successfully forced the debate back on to the real issue of Biden’s voting record and public statements on segregation when it mattered, and he folded (which was the right thing to do both morally and politically).
Dems in general need to do a better job of listening to the lived experiences of women of color. The commentary from even smart and thoughtful folks like Josh on this matter was disappointing.