Biden is kicking ass because he has a simple message that appeals to all Democrats and then some:

[mtnsnake]

His message: Beat Trump and unify this country. Unify the country by working across the aisle while sticking up for Democratic values at the same time. Simple, straightforward, clear, and attractive.

While the other candidates for the most part have been appealing to Democratic voters to win the Primary, Biden is making it quite clear that he is campaigning as if this is the general election itself. He is reaching out not just to Democrats but to an entire population that is sick and tired of the divisiveness that has been plaguing the nation.

If Biden wins the nomination, he will be that much further ahead of everyone else by the time the actual presidential campaign begins because in essence he has started campaigning against Trump already. While the rest of the candidates are trying to figure out how to beat Biden and the other Democratic candidates they're facing, Biden has his focus set squarely on Trump. Sure he has very high poll numbers among all the Democratic candidates which gives him the luxury of concentrating his time on Trump instead of on the other Democratic candidates, but so far he is schooling most everyone on how to play the game.

We already know that Biden is a formidable candidate. If some other Democrat can beat him, and for all we know someone might, then imagine how good that candidate will have to be to beat him out. Either way, it's a win-win for us. If Biden wins the nomination, he is looking really good to go up against Trump. If someone else rises up out of the pool and ends up being able to beat Biden, then that's going to be someone extraordinary. At the very least, win or lose, Joe Biden is going to bring the best out of every Democrat who stays in this campaign just by virtue of him being involved in it.

[Thekaspervote]

1. +1000

[Honeycombe8]

2. So...you are "undecided" your logo says?

It sounds like you're going w/Biden?

[mtnsnake]

5. Yes, for sure.

I like a lot of the candidates, so right now I can't decide for sure which one I think will be best for 2020. I probably won't pick a favorite until after the debates start. I like Biden's chances a lot, obviously, and I also think very highly of Warren, Harris, Buttigieg, Sanders, Booker, and Swalwell. I'm not sure about O'Rourke yet, but I think he might surprise us during the debates and after the campaigning really gets going.

If I had to narrow it down to the 3 people who I thought could best beat Trump and be a fine president at the same time, I'd have to be thinking Biden, Warren, or Harris in that order, at least at this point in time. If I had to pick the person who I think would make the best president, I'd have to pick Warren, followed by Biden, Harris, and Sanders. I just think Biden has the best shot right now at beating Trump, and I think he's running the smartest campaign so far, one that's appealing to the masses.

[GeniusJoy]

13. I agree with you.

We have a lot of great candidates.

[mtnsnake]

55. Hey there

Great minds think alike!

Welcome to DU!

[Partisan D]

3. The news media is wrong about enthusiasm.

I've read several articles and have seen several pundits say (paraphrasing), "Biden is liked by folks. But no one is thrilled with him. They trust he can win."

Not true. Biden's core base of supporters won't be shopping around. Many of us love our guy, just as much as Kamala supporters love Kamala, Pete supporters love Pete, etc.

JOE'20!

[LakeArenal]

58. I knew I was for Joe last fall at a GOTV event.

Love his appeal to everyone. Even the U students really liked him. The world likes Joe, as well.

If I was voting for the future and not the the now, I’d vote Buttigieg.

[NurseJackie]

4. He's clearly better prepared. He's not the kind of candidate to stumble on...

He's clearly better prepared. He's not the kind of candidate to stumble on easy and basic questions about abortion.

[abqtommy]

6. While I don't think

it's possible or desirable to unify the country, I believe that we can unify enough voters to dispose of the Reich Wing.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

51. THIS!!!! +1

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!

[mcar]

7. Good analysis

Thanks.

[Cha]

8. Yes, Unify and Beat

trump.

Not Divide and Bash the Democratic Party.. Love it!

Thanks, mtnsnake

[Mme. Defarge]

54. Moi aussi!

[marylandblue]

9. He's not the only.one talking about unifying.

But he is the only talking about unifying as if Mitch McConnell didn't already promise to block everything a Democratic President would try to do. My hope is that Biden runs for something besides "unity" so that he can at least claim a mandate with a convincing win.

[Cha]

14. Of course, Biden is For "something besides..

unity.."

[marylandblue]

24. I've heard a lot of people on DU say that, but they only provide other generic terms to show it

Things like moderation, normalcy, experience and so on. But other than winning, I can't figure out what exactly he would do that any other Democrat in the world wouldn't. That could be alright if you think people are just looking for a generic Democrat to do whatever a Democrat does in office, but at least you guys should own it.

[Cha]

25. Your insults aren't helping

your candidate.

[marylandblue]

28. I'm not insulting him, and what I say has nothing to with my candidate. I don't represent him.

Biden is running a certain type of campaign. That's fine, everyone has a strategy and that's his. It seems to be working for him so far, so I doubt he'll change it as long as it keeps working. It's not what I want to see, but I'm just one vote in a solid blue state, so what I want doesn't much matter.

[Hekate]

46. If you think Biden is "generic," you don't know him. If you think a "generic Dem" ...

Last edited Tue May 21, 2019, 06:28 PM - Edit history (1)

...would not be light years better than Trump-Pence, I have no idea what to say to you.

Let me quote my favorite former Republican: "Sure I like him, but I'd vote for his BUS, if that would get rid of Trump." I don't recall who she was referring to, but she sure speaks for me in this regard.

We have almost 2 dozen Dems running, and one Independent. Any of the Dems who has signed on for our Party Platform would get my vote.

Joe is running a good campaign. His opening video absolutely captured my feelings.

[marylandblue]

48. Why does every post seem to be about Trump or the virtue of voting for a Democrat?

If I said I wasn't voting for the Democrat, or thought Trump was great, I'd create a huge uproar before being booted from the site. Why do we make such a grand virtue out of a membership requirement?

And what's your proof he isn't generic? Refer to the platform and anti-Trump former Republican? What could be more generic than that? Has he no specific ideas of his own? Many of the other candidates do. If he doesn't, if he's just going to follow whatever the platform says, yeah, that's pretty generic. If his generic approach is working, why is it bad?

[Hekate]

49. You're a little unclear. Are you saying that membership in the Dem Party is not important...

...for political candidates? Third parties okay? Other non-Democrats? Do you wish to explore your feelings about that a bit more? I only ask because it is not entirely clear from what you said.

Part 1 of my thoughts: on the Platform -- I got my start in politics in 1968, working on the Senator Gene McCarthy presidential campaign. By the end of that experience (in which our primary opponent was assassinated the night he won the primary, McCarthy lost California, but my group won the section of the huge county we worked in) -- one thing I realized for all time was that the party platform matters, and that whatever its flaws, the Democratic platform basically spoke to my values. And whatever else, the GOP platform did not and never would speak to my values.

Part 2: DU is a Democratic discussion board dedicated to electing Democrats. I look at the candidates who want to use Party money and infrastructure and I take into account those who have never supported the party with their time or money, and indeed have spent much of their lives pointing out our flaws while not spending equal time pointing out the flaws (even crimes) of the GOP. I take into account those who have always stood with the party and have been proud to wear the label and help shape the party. I notice -- and I will vote for an actual Democrat.

[marylandblue]

52. No, we are talking about primary votes here. I'm voting for the Democrat in the general.

Isn't that a given for DU? Why do I even need to say it? I've never seen anyone say any different on this site.

In the primary, I'm looking for a candidate's unique factors that make him or her stand out from the others. Warren puts a priority on income inequality. Inslee on climate change. I like how Buttigieg frames things in new ways and thinks outside the box. Each is going to bring a different emphasis and style to the White House, and that's important.

For me, Biden is alright. He's been there for every issue that the Democrats have been involved in for the last 40 years. That's nice, but what is going to do now? What's his emphasis going to be? Return to normalcy doesn't cut it for me.

There is no normal to return to. There's no going back to the way it was. Biden represents the fantasy that we can return to our younger selves and do it all over again, only better. Sorry, but I don't live my life that way, and I don't do my politics that way either. Is that really so hard to understand?

[emmaverybo]

62. He has strength of character and dignity. These old fashioned qualities tend to have more

universal appeal than particular political policies or quantifiable behaviors.
It is not that the other candidates are lacking in either, but that these qualities have yet to be tested over a lifetime of public service and on the world stage.
Biden has never asked for sympathy for his once in a lifetime, double tragedies. Nonetheless, how he has persevered in the face of them has drawn admiration from many Americans over and yes, beyond, his accomplishments, knowledge, and experience.
Reading the reviews of his book Promise Me Dad convinced me that he has the ability to comfort and inspire individually.
His recent rally, its message, moreover has led me to believe that he can unify and heal on a national level.
None of this speaks to your question, a pragmatic, and essential one.
It does explain the affection and trust many of us feel for Biden, which I believe will translate to
a hard to beat loyalty all through the primaries, no matter “performance” metrics when debate season comes.

[marylandblue]

64. Thanks for you perspective. I can see why that would be attractive to people.

[mtnsnake]

11. hmmm, I don't know where you're getting the poll info like that, but interesting post just the same

[Cha]

15. It must have been

interesting.

[JudyM]

12. I'd like to know how he expects to work across the aisle, *in real tactical terms.* I don't see it

happening. Saying it and achieving it are worlds apart, and wishing and hoping are going to amount to a lot of lost time, as Harry Reid and Obama kept hoping for them to play nice. Time to put our big girl pants on and FIGHT.

[Hekate]

47. Elect Dems to the Senate

[JudyM]

50. That's it right there, question is what's the plan if we don't capture the majority...

[shanny]

57. iow , by definition, not "working across the aisle"

thank you

[George Eliot]

16. I agree. Biden is running against Trump rather than Democrats. So is Sanders.

But you never see much of Sanders in media. So you likely don't know that. It will be an interesting election. I think Warren is the elephant in the room.

[NYMinute]

19. Sanders is old news .. everything he says he has said years ago

It is really over for him. Those tired old ideas are not being bought by people anymore.

[Turin_C3PO]

20. Nothing wrong with his ideas.

It’s his behavior that’s the problem, IMO. 2016 will not be easily forgotten.

[George Eliot]

22. That's Trump talk. The Constitution is even older so I guess that's why Trump wants to change it?

Ideas never get old. Good ones esp. Healthcare for all? Bad idea? Less income polarity? Bad idea? Helping people get pharmaceuticals they can afford? Bad idea?

[Cha]

23. BS is too divisive.. he

can't promote his ideas without insulting the Democratic Party.

On 'Meet the Press' today Bernie Sanders repeatedly slammed the "Democratic establishment"

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1287&pid=125571

That's why his polls are down..

Link to tweet

[George Eliot]

26. My opinion is that he's not divisive. If you think so, why don't you ignore him?

[Cha]

27. I will point out how divisive

he is as long as he keeps being Divisive.

[George Eliot]

30. But you haven't pointed to anything divisive. That doesn't mean he is.

[Cha]

31. Most on the forum know

how divisive he continues to be.

Bernie: ‘My Opponents’ Want Black, White, Gay, Latino or Women Candidates ‘Regardless of What They Stand For

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211722251

And, the voters in the polls..

Link to tweet

[George Eliot]

35. So...you don't have a specific? LOL. Just other people do. Ok.

[Cha]

44. It helps if you read BS' quote.

[LanternWaste]

40. Opinions also cover the allegation that 2+222.

Support the premise with objective evidence and analysis. Or ignore rational thought.

[LanternWaste]

39. Sanders is running against both Trump and the Democrats as well.

Don't sugar-coat it. Sanders' most unequivocal critics are against the Democratic party and the top-tier primary candidates.

It's not that we "likely don't know that." It's that we grasp that which is relevant.

[aikoaiko]

17. We have to wait to see how Joe does in the debates where specifics will be discussed.

He's got some splaining to do.

[NYMinute]

18. Biden evokes good feelings instead of anger nt

[Turin_C3PO]

21. Yes.

I think he’ll unite Democrats and Independents against Trump.

[cilla4progress]

29. I also think people pine for

OBAMA! And Biden is a connection to that. To him.

[Cha]

32. It sure doesn't hurt.. Biden

has a lot of valuable experience to offer after being his VP for 8 years.

And, in President Obama's own words..

In A Surprise Send-Off, Obama Awards Biden Presidential Medal Of Freedom

snip//

Calling the former longtime Delaware senator "the best vice president America's ever had" and a "lion of American history," Obama gave his White House partner the surprise award in an emotional ceremony, initially billed as a farewell.

After extolling the job that Biden has done, Obama ended it with the unexpected news that he was giving the vice president the nation's highest civilian honor, with distinction — a designation most recently given to President Ronald Reagan, Pope John Paul II and Gen. Colin Powell.

"To know Joe Biden is to know love without pretense, service without self-regard, and to live life fully," Obama said.

snip//

Throughout the ceremony it was evident not just how close the two men were but how close their families and staffs had become, and Obama said his "family is honored to call ourselves honorary Bidens."

https://www.npr.org/2017/01/12/509545778/in-surprise-send-off-president-obama-awards-biden-presidential-medal-of-freedom

Transcript of President Obama's speech..

He fought to make college more affordable and revitalized American manufacturing, as the head of our middle-class taskforce. He suited up for Our Cancer Moonshot and giving hope to millions of Americans touched by this disease.

He led our efforts to combat gun violence. And he rooted out any possible misappropriations that might’ve occurred. And as a consequence, the recovery act worked as well as just about any large- scale stimulus project has ever worked in this country. He visited college after college and made friends with Lady Gaga…

Behind the scenes, Joe’s candid honest council has made me a better president and a better commander in chief. From the Situation Room, to our weekly lunches, to our huddles after everybody else has cleared out of the room, he’s been unafraid to give it to me straight, even if we disagree.

In fact, especially, when we disagree. And all of this makes, in my belief, the finest vice president we have ever seen. And I also think he has been a lion of American history.
The best part is, he’s no where close to finished. In the years ahead as a citizen, he will continue to build on that legacy internationally and domestically. He’s got a voice of vision and reason and optimism and love for people and we’re gonna need that — that spirit and that vision as we continue to try to make our world safer and to make sure that everybody’s got a fair shot in this country.

snip//

So all told, that’s a pretty remarkable legacy, an amazing career in public service. It is, as Joe once said, “a big deal.”

Much More..
http://time.com/4633826/joe-biden-obama-presidential-medal-freedom/

Mahalo, SP

[duforsure]

33. A wish for Biden

His suggesting with approval Obama could be his VP pick, and mess with trump's head.

[Sugarcoated]

34. How fun would that be, LOL?

It would be child's play to f with Biff, and so many ways to do it. I personally can never resist an opportunity to poke a stick at a bully.

[Scurrilous]

36. K&R

[Act_of_Reparation]

37. He's kicking ass because he has name recognition.

This early on, candidates are invariably ranked by how well known they are. No slight meant to Biden in this case, just being real.

[mtnsnake]

38. Name recognition is part of it, but it's far from being the only reason he's doing so well.

The day he announced, he went straight for Trump's jugular. That move alone separated him from the rest of the candidates in their approaches. Then, on his campaign kickoff a few days ago he let it be known that his sites were set squarely on Trump, not on the other Democratic candidates. That and his message of unity. Both of those moves were big winners for him strategically as evidenced by his poll numbers continuing to stay so strong.

Name recognition gave him a huge boost to begin with, no doubt about it, but so far he's showing that he's playing the game in a more strategic manner than the others are so far, which has little to do with name recognition but more to do with savvy.

[TwilightZone]

41. Sanders has nearly 100% name recognition. Warren's is 88%.

If your assertion were true, Sanders would be roughly tied with Biden and Warren wouldn't be far behind.

Neither is the case.

[Act_of_Reparation]

42. I don't think it works that way.

In the early campaign, a candidate's position is largely dependent upon their name recognition. It does not mean a candidate's position is directly proportional to their name recognition. And it can't be. Because there's overlap between who knows who and you only get one first-choice. If you want to gauge it accurately, you'd look to see how many Biden-folks have Sanders or Warren as their second choice. I'll bet it's a lot.

The distribution is like to change once the race heats up. I don't see any point in getting thoroughly committed to anyone this early on. Let's see where things go.

[TwilightZone]

43. The assertion was that it's all about name recognition.

Sanders has as much name recognition as Biden does. The assertion that it's the only factor driving the race is ridiculous, yet people keep making it.

[Hekate]

45. What you said

[democratisphere]

53. Simple truth versus habitual incessant liar.

Some choices are easy.

[EveHammond13]

56. it's that simple

[emmaverybo]

59. Now this, Biden's campaign and its success, is inspiring and exciting.

[Cha]

61. Yes it is, emmaverybo!

I am really inspired and excited about regaining our Democracy!

[Gothmog]

60. Joe Biden is the most electable Democrat

[Cha]

63. But only because

all the electorate knows is his "name".