Biden: Unions 'Not the Problem' in States Facing Economic Woes

[babylonsister]

Biden: Unions 'Not the Problem' in States Facing Economic Woes



Vice President Joe Biden says unions are not to blame for economic hardship in financially strapped states but are being singled out by Republicans looking for an excuse to enact conservative agendas.

"Public employees are not the problem," Biden said Wednesday night. "The problem goes much deeper."

The vice president, appearing at a Manhattan fundraising event for Rep. Carolyn Maloney, did not make direct reference to the unrest in Wisconsin, where Republican Gov. Scott Walker's bid to roll back collective bargaining rights for public workers has resulted in daily demonstrations.

"We are going to see the economic conditions that they {Republicans} created used as an excuse to fundamentally go after the social agenda that the far right has been trying to accomplish for a long time," Biden said. He planned to meet in Washington Thursday with AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka and the heads of state-based AFL-CIO organizations.

more...

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2011/02/24/biden-unions-not-the-problem-in-states-facing-economic-woes/

[gateley]

1. As Jilian said, it must be driving Biden crazy that he can't speak freely on this --

I bet he's infuriated.

[jillan]

2. He is probably ready to explode. I'm expecting a major "gaffe" any moment now, and I can't wait.

[gateley]

4. That would be the perfect way to get the "real" message out there! Do it, Joe! nt

[PatSeg]

26. Ah yes, Biden Unleashed!

That would be beautiful to see.

[FreakinDJ]

3. Thats my VP

[tavalon]

5. "Public employees are not the problem," Biden said "The problem goes much deeper."

I'm fairly sure that's not what Biden really wanted to say. He's always been very pro worker.

[high density]

6. The "much deeper" is explained a couple of paragaraphs down

He finally stated the obvious: The Republicans created bad economic conditions and are now using it as an excuse to bust the unions.

And the corporate media is very happy to bring that braindead narrative into living rooms.

[old mark]

7. Biden is certainly the "liberal" in this administration-a shame he has no more input than

it seems he does...
Reflecting on it, I recall Dan Quayle's role in the Bush I regime-he made public statements that the left considered outrageous, and that Bush felt he could not say in public...it is possible that is what some of Biden's function is now? Obama has a firm grasp of the middle, Biden talks to the otherwise ignored left.
K&R
mark

[ClarkUSA]

8. Really? Is that why Biden voted for IWR while Obama publicly spoke out against it before the vote?

In fact, Obama's public predictions regarding the sorry outcome of the vote proved to be 100% correct. It's clear who's the "liberal" in this administration and it sure isn't Biden. Nothing in his long history as a Senator has ever indicated such leanings, either. Remember how he treated Anita Hill? Liberals do, and we know he is not one of us.

Biden also won the DLC's Truman Award and has often been a speaker at their functions, so you certainly have an odd notion of what a "liberal" is. Every liberal I know was as vehemently against IWR as Obama was at the time of the vote. This was at a time when polls showed overwhelming support for going to war.

Biden also voted for BushCo's egregious Bankruptcy Bill, which was written purely for the benefit of the banking and credit card industry by lobbyists. Liberals like me railed against the bill here and across the nation. I remember calling Biden's office to ask that he please stand up to the banks and vote no, but to no avail.

But then again, you're a strong admirer of Hillary Clinton as well, who as I recall, also voted for IWR. Unlike Biden, she has never apologized for her votes.

Is she a liberal, too? :sarcasm:

[uponit7771]

9. good post, The purest are mum...

[Armstead]

11. Good for Biden . Keep it up, and talk to your boss, Joe.

You happy now?

[ClarkUSA]

12. Talk to him about what? Pres. Obama made similar remarks long before Biden.

"Obama voices strong support for Wisconsin public employees"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=613321&mesg_id=613321

Pres. Obama's political arms, the DNC and OFA, have been working on helping to organize support for the pro-union protesters in WI, OH, and IN from the get-go. His WH has expressed support as well. All this effort by the President prior to Biden ever saying a word begs the question:

If labor leaders and WI protesters haven't complained about President Obama, why do detractors and naysayers here persist in doing so?


Furthermore:

It is not about Obama, but the cause that the workers are fighting for.

If Obama goes to Wisconsin, then the right wing will focus on "Washington intervention in a state's business"...that one talking point, could change the focus of the debate..nothing would help the right wing more, than having Obama come and get involved in the so called local business of Wisconsin...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=618523&mesg_id=618523

It's much more likely that President Obama talked to his VP and asked him to make these remarks, which hew closely to what President Obama has said since soon after the WI protesters' standoff against Gov. Walker began.

[Armstead]

13. Furthermore...

Yeah it was good that Obama made a comment. But otherwise he has avoided it like it was a radioactive issue. Not good enlough (in my opinion).

Furthermore -- Who gives a rats ass what the right wing portrays it as? Crikey. Haven't you learned anmhything over the last two years? Even if Obama were to meet with Walker and then have a joint press conference in which Obama fully supported what Walker is doing, the GOP/FOX/Right Wing would still find a way to characterize it as Socialist Obama interfering in a state issue.

[ClarkUSA]

15. "radioactive issue"? Not true, as this OP proves. Otherwise, why would he have Biden say this?

<< Furthermore -- Who gives a rats ass what the right wing portrays it as? Crikey. >>

If labor leaders and protesters in WI have no complaints with what President Obama has said and done so far, then why do you? Who gives a rat's ass about what anyone gripes about President Obama outside of these folks? Not me.

Reread the synopsis of what Thom Hartmann said. If you can't see the wisdom in President Obama's strategy as Thom Hartmann and many here do, then there's nothing more I can say to enlighten or persuade you. Suffice it to say that we think that grandstanding and lobbing verbal flamethrowers at Gov. Walker is a dumb idea.

[Armstead]

25. "Grasndstanding and flamethrowers"?

If you saw Meet the Press roday, you saw Richard Tromka ducking the question of whether he thought President Obama should,d be doing more. When asked point blank, Tromka tried to deflect the question, until, when pressed by the host said "Well, we could all be doing more..."

He was trying real hard not to be critical of Obama, but it seemed pretty clear that he does want Obama to take a more pro-active role.

Obama is great at advocating and educating about issues without "flamethrowing." His speech on racism during the campaign was perhaps the most brilliant statement I've ever heard from a politician.

I don't agree that Obama should withold the BEST thing he is good at as a leader on an issue like this instead of coming out clearly and strongly to support workers and the basic right of collective bargain and social justice.

Personally, I don't care if he goes to Wisconsin or not, or even if he mentions Gov. Walker by name. This is a larger issue, and the president should be involved as an advocate for what I assume you and I agree is the best side in this fight.

[ClarkUSA]

36. I saw MTP and I think you're reading too much into Tromka's simple direct reply.

Here's a comment on another thread re: Obama that is an echo of what many of us (and Thom Hartmann) believe, contrary to you:

lunasun (739 posts) Sun Feb-27-11 10:46 PM
Response to Reply #4
23. I had life time 2 republican friends "wakeup" after Bush II that then turned

Democrat for 2008 and beyond but this govmnt worker/union thing is another fish net for dems to catch a whole lot more folks who are waking up to the truth about what repugs are really working for

I am glad Obama is at the side lines and not in it = as that would give the other side an excuse to say a lot of crap to the unenlightened and tie it to him ; when it is really about the working class not government or Obama

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=619824&mesg_id=620231

Again: If labor leaders and protesters in WI have no complaints with what President Obama has said and done so far, then why do you? You keep avoiding answering me. Why?

[polmaven]

28. I'll hazard a guess about

who gives a rat's ass......Maybe the organizers and participants in the protests who want to see this remain about them and not turn into something about President Obama....Maybe they give a rat's ass.

[Jakes Progress]

18. Gotta bring up the primaries again, I see.

Was that the bestest time of your life or what?

Gotta move on, fella.

[ClarkUSA]

21. Prove your claim. Quote me. You're the only one bringing them up on this thread.

Perhaps you're talking to yourself? :shrug:

I moved on years ago. And why not? My guy won and won big. :party:

He will again in 2012, too, by a landslide. Like my sig?

[Jakes Progress]

23. You're a funny guy.

Just gives me the giggles how you work Hillary into almost any post for almost any subject.

By the way. Your guy didn't win. Ours did. Obama is the president for all of us. I know you like to feel like the most specialist soldier though so you can have it. Yay for you.

As for Hillary. She's a Democrat. So's Biden. Obama ran under that banner too. As for my thoughts, I believe there would be absolutely no difference between a HC and a BO administration. They are paired at the hip, cloned by the DLC. Perhaps because of her past experience, Hillary wouldn't be as quick to bend to the republican will, but both would say the same things, hire the same advisers, play politics, and kowtow to the rich elite with the same fervor. And Obama will win in 2012 if the people who run things decide, as they did in 2004, that they want him there.

Your Obama/Clinton battles are like small town football games. Two teams separated by only a few miles demonizing people that are exactly like them in the name of the game. They got your number. If you can't take being called on your primary longings, try leaving Hillary out of just a couple of your posts. Going after her, you know - the woman Obama picked for his cabinet, is like going after her clone Barack and only proves that you haven't "moved on years ago."

Hey guy. We got republicans to beat. Wait until any primary contenders are announced before attacking other Democrats as not being as good as your big-winning guy.

But then if you do, what would I do for chuckles.

[ClarkUSA]

29. No proof? What a surprise. You got nothing but more of the same tired rhetoric from 2008.

Anyone can see that you are the only one on this thread who is having primary war flashbacks. Coincidentally, you rarely have a good word to say about President Obama.

It is you who really must move on, I'm afraid.

[Name removed]

33. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[old mark]

20. I think Hillary is a great SOS, but I doubt whe would be a good president, and we will never know,

will we?

I am happy to find someone who is the keeper of the liberal agenda and can tell me where I am wrong. I will try to do better in the future.

mark

[flpoljunkie]

10. Biden and Dems need to speak out more-- not just at private fundraisers

Dems need to take a cue from Republicans and hammer their message in unison.

[polichick]

14. This is the message that should be repeated by all Dems...

Rather than that "shared sacrifice" bullshit coming from the prez.

[ClarkUSA]

16. President Obama has already sent this message in public remarks and so has the WH.

Proof of my claim: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=619711&mesg_id=619794

Biden is merely being a good VP by following his President's lead.

By the way, polichick, I have asked you once before to provide context to your rhetoric but you never replied: What is the exact complete quote of his alleged remarks about "shared sacrifice"?

If memory serves me right, I recall listening to him talk about the concept in the context of asking Big Business and millionaires to do their part in helping the economy get back on its feet. That sounded good to me, not "bullshit" as you put it. He was turning the Republican mantra on its head.

Furthermore, why do you keep complaining when labor leaders and union protesters in WI have never criticized President Obama? Quite the opposite, in fact.

[blm]

17. So? Corpmedia doesn't care what he says about this. Now...what does Chris Christie think?

Or Sarah?

Or Mitch?

Must keep Koch Bros. happy or they'll call off those toilet paper ad buys.

[Jakes Progress]

19. Good start. Now they need to point out

tat the unions not only weren't the problem, they were the victim of the people who did the dirty work. Of course that would be ratting on friends.

[ClarkUSA]

30. Um, Biden did indicate that unions were being used as a scapegoat for GOP malfeisance.

From the OP:

Biden: "We are going to see the economic conditions that they {Republicans} created used as an excuse to fundamentally go after the social agenda that the far right has been trying to accomplish for a long time"

Those are the folks who "did the dirty work" right?

And what "friends" are you talking about? The same ones who benefitted from former DLC chairman Clinton's repeal of Glass-Steagall in 1999 to the joy of Phil Gramm and every other conservative in the country?

FYI: those same folks (Wall Street, the banking industry, the Chamber of Commerce, the entire GOP Congress, and K Street lobbyists) spent billions trying to defeat Obama's signature Wall Street Reform Act and lost.

Give the bile a rest.

[Name removed]

32. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Mopar151]

22. The Kid that won the Daytona 500

Trevor Bayne - has mentioned ("How cool is THAT!") the phone call he got from Joe Biden every time they've put a mike in his face.

[LWolf]

24. He's right. nt

[Arkana]

27. This has to be killing Biden.

A street kid from Scranton who probably grew up around zillions of union men and women? It's gotta make him livid what Walker is doing.

[craigmatic]

31. In most cases the problem in these states is a tax system that doesn't work.

In WI they cut taxes before going after the unions. In florida just like the rest of the south they have next to no property tax but a high sales tax. They should shift the tax burden back to the rich and the deficits would close but they're never going to close if they keep attacking the middle and working classes.

[Exilednight]

34. At least someone from this administration has the balls to stand up and tell it like it is. n/t

[ClarkUSA]

35. Yes, the VP is following the President's lead. See Reply 16.

Link: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=619711&mesg_id=619798

[Exilednight]

38. Your proof is a bunch of links that lead to different links that ends at

someone on my ignore list.

[ProSense]

37. Here:

President Obama's statement (Feb. 16):

"Some of what I've heard coming out of Wisconsin, where you're just making it harder for public employees to collectively bargain generally seems like more of an assault on unions. And I think it's very important for us to understand that public employees, they're our neighbors, they're our friends. These are folks who are teachers and they're firefighters and they're social workers and they're police officers.

"They make a lot of sacrifices and make a big contribution. And I think it's important not to vilify them or to suggest that somehow all these budget problems are due to public employees."

VP Biden's statement (Feb 24):

"Public employees are not the problem. The problem goes much deeper...We are going to see the economic conditions that they (Republicans) created used as an excuse to fundamentally go after the social agenda that the far right has been trying to accomplish for a long time."

Secretary Solis' statement (Feb. 26):

I’ve been following the developments in Wisconsin, and Ohio, and many other states across the country.

<...>

And we’ve seen our brothers and sisters in the public employees unions willing to give there share, and to negotiate in good faith to help their states get through tough times.

But the governors in Wisconsin and Ohio aren’t just asking workers to tighten their belts, they’re demanding that they give up their uniquely American rights as workers.

<...>

All these workers want is the opportunity to sit down at the table, like grown ups, and work together to solve problems.

That’s what collective bargaining is all about.

Three excellent statements.