Biden Says He Never Opposed Voluntary Busing After Tiff With Harris

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JUNE 27: Sen. Kamala Harris (R) (D-CA) and former Vice President Joe Biden (L) speak as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) looks on during the second night of the first Democratic presidential debate on June... MIAMI, FLORIDA - JUNE 27: Sen. Kamala Harris (R) (D-CA) and former Vice President Joe Biden (L) speak as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) looks on during the second night of the first Democratic presidential debate on June 27, 2019 in Miami, Florida. A field of 20 Democratic presidential candidates was split into two groups of 10 for the first debate of the 2020 election, taking place over two nights at Knight Concert Hall of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, hosted by NBC News, MSNBC, and Telemundo. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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On the heels of a contentious exchange with Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) at Thursday’s debate, former Vice President Joe Biden defended his civil rights record during a speaking event on Friday.

“I heard and I listened to and I respect Senator Harris,” he said. “But, you know, we all know that 30 seconds to 60 seconds on a campaign debate exchange can’t do justice to a lifetime committed to civil rights. I want to be absolutely clear about my record of position on racial justice, including busing. I never, never, never ever opposed voluntary busing.”

Along with the busing dispute, Harris also went after Biden at the debate for his comments about the “civility” he enjoyed with segregationists.

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Notable Replies

  1. Joe, just shut up already.

  2. What the hell does “voluntary” busing even mean?

  3. Avatar for bdtex bdtex says:

    “But, you know, we all know that 30 seconds to 60 seconds on a campaign debate exchange can’t do justice to a lifetime committed to civil rights."

    True. 10 candidates and the debate format certainly doesn’t allow for it. He and his team will have to be better prepared for that in the next debate.

  4. Avatar for raph raph says:

    It feels to me like a very politician-y way of avoiding telling the real truth. You’ve got this letter to Eastland saying, “I want you to know that I very much appreciate your help during this week’s Committee meeting in attempting to bring my anti-busing legislation to a vote.” That reads pretty damning to me.

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