Joe Biden's support of the Hyde Amendment makes him unfit to lead

[RedParrot]

If Joe Biden wants to carry the banner of a party that claims to champion, protect and uphold the inalienable rights of black, brown and poor people, he must reverse his support of the Hyde Amendment and follow the lead of his fellow Democratic candidates. Anything less would be the former vice president throwing under the bus the people whose support he needs most directly, at a moment when they are uniquely vulnerable. These positions may not stop Biden from getting the Democratic Party’s nomination. But they make him unfit to lead.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/joe-bidens-support-of-the-hyde-amendment-makes-him-unfit-to-lead/2019/06/05/b78f025c-87bf-11e9-a870-b9c411dc4312_story.html

[BannonsLiver]

1. All of our candidates are fit to lead.

Including Bernie. There’s one I won’t go that far with, but on the whole, they are all fit to lead. I can’t read the editorial because of Bezos’ paywall but I can smell the horseshit from here.

[DURHAM D]

2. Who wrote this? nt

[BannonsLiver]

3. Someone who is apparently unaware of Donald Trump's existence.

Is there some worm hole I don’t know about?

[RedParrot]

5. WaPo OpEd

From the article:

Danielle Campoamor is a senior editor at Romper and the creator and writer of Bustle’s Abortion AMA column.

[Cicada]

4. Bill Clinton often said perfect should not be enemy of the good

It’s politics. It’s not philosophy graduate school.

[guillaumeb]

8. But who must sacrifice their rights?

Do we prioritize which rights we will protect?

[BannonsLiver]

9. +100000

If today is any indicator there are a lot of people who could use a refresher on that point. Perspective is in short supply.

[RedParrot]

10. Hillary Clinton called for repeal of Hyde Amendment

2016 Democratic platform had a plank calling for repeal of Hyde Amendment.

Looks like Biden is out of step.

[JI7]

6. this is why he doesn't seem to be hurt by the criticisms he gets

Last edited Wed Jun 5, 2019, 11:01 PM - Edit history (1)

once you say he is unfit to lead people aren't going to take you seriously anymore.

it would be better to say something like Warren or another candidate is better on the issues so we should support that candidate.

[DURHAM D]

12. Exactly. nt

[hay rick]

7. This doesn't make Biden "unfit to lead" but it looks like a big mistake.

This is a chance for him to blow his big, fat, comfortable lead.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

56. Agree 100%, that's pretty much it... not a deal breaker either, but, WILL raise eyebrows...

as it should.


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

[Indygram]

57. Perhaps not unfit, but definitely disqualifying, imo

At a time when Choice is under attack women and girls NEED a real champion who will NOT compromise on their bodily autonomy. After MeToo women will NOT just sit back and accept this.

[Eko]

11. Please.

[KayF]

52. that is so rude

[Eko]

59. If you say so.

I personally hate the Hyde amendment. I think laws based off of religion are absolutely insane but this is just another flavor of the day outrage. He came out against it today so like I said, flavor of the day outrage.

[Indykatie]

13. RedParrot Has Been on DU Less Than A Month and Already Pronouncing Candidates Unfit.

Pronouncing Biden unfit to lead because you disagree on his position on the Hyde Amendment is just flat out ridiculous. This may come as a surprise but the Hyde Amendment will not be a deal breaker for many Dems. I'm pro-choice but can see anti-choicers not wanting their tax dollars to fund abortions. There are so many other things more important to fight for than Federal funding for abortions when access to abortions is being lost every day. Abortion access not abortion funding is the hill Dems should be willing to die on in 2020.

[BannonsLiver]

22. +1

Fair to say the summer offensive has begun in earnest.

[RedParrot]

29. The author of WaPo's op ed is the one that declared Biden unfit to lead

Biden’s support of Hyde Amendment is out of step with the other candidates, 2016 Democratic platform, and our 2016 Presidential nominee.

As Rachel Maddow said tonight, Biden’s support for Hyde Amendment will not survive the primary season.

[emmaverybo]

14. Offensive post and an extremist opinion.

[ucrdem]

15. He says he supports abolishing it:

posted by Cha in another thread:

Link to tweet

[WhiskeyGrinder]

17. He said this, clearly on the fly, in May. In the past couple days, his campaign stated that he

in fact supports Hyde. Which raises a couple questions: Which is it, and if he supports Hyde, why the fuck does he support Hyde?

[ucrdem]

18. Well, ipsi dixit.

He said it himself, and there's tape. That about as unambiguous as it gets.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

19. Looking forward to seeing him come out and say his actual campaign is wrong, then.

Which...is another problem altogether, isn't it.

[ucrdem]

21. Or maybe the rumor mill is mistaken?

That happens now and again

[WhiskeyGrinder]

24. Well, the NBC article citing his campaign came out this morning, and he hasn't commented

on it since.

[ucrdem]

25. Maybe a little birdie told them?

Those birds can be vicious.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

26. His campaign says he "misheard the question."

https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/05/politics/joe-biden-abortion-hyde-amendment/index.html

Biden's campaign said in an emailed statement Wednesday that he "misheard the woman on the ropeline and thought she was referring to the Mexico City rule" -- a policy that prohibits federal funding for non-governmental organizations that offer or refer patients for abortions or advocate for expanded access to abortion rights. That policy is broadly opposed by Democrats and was repealed by Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, only to be re-instated by George W. Bush and Donald Trump.

"He has not at this point changed his position on the Hyde Amendment. The Hyde Amendment does not prevent organizations in the US that provide lifesaving health care services for women from receiving the federal funding they need," Biden's campaign said. "But given the current draconian attempts to limit access to abortion, if avenues for women to access their protected rights under Roe V Wade are closed, he would be open to repeal."

[ucrdem]

31. Interesting.

But I can understand the confusion as it's kind of a gotcha question, the Hyde law itself having failed in 1977. Nevertheless his readiness to strike down the Mexico City gag law (a Trump policy prohibiting foreign countries from receiving aid tied to abortion services) shows his commitment to protecting this right.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

34. It's not really a gotcha. As many times as it's inserted into spending bills, anyone involved

in Congress is very familiar with what Hyde is all about. Not only is it a shit policy, it's a shitty way of making policy.

[ucrdem]

37. But it isn't a law, and it's up to Congress to add the rider each year.

That's why it's a gotcha.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

40. Poor Joe, who got got by an ACLU Life Member on the ropeline. Next time he'll know to say "no"

when asked if he's willing to repeal Hyde.

[BannonsLiver]

23. Thanks.

That would matter more if the people complaining the loudest actually cared as much about the issue as they do using it as a bludgeon to help whoever they’re cheering for.

[ucrdem]

27. It puts this one down fast, doesn't it?

YUGE hat tip to Cha for finding it!

[BannonsLiver]

33. Cha is always on point. Always.

[melman]

32. ACLU tweet from today

Link to tweet

[ucrdem]

36. Hyde has been dead for 12 years, so Biden can't support him.

Behold a meme in action.

[4now]

16. Some people are here to divide the left

[jalan48]

20. What's Biden's reason for supporting it?

[WhiskeyGrinder]

28. According to a campaign statement, it's because poor people whose pregnancies will kill them can

still get federal funds to pay for their abortion, so it's not that bad, and if Roe were overturned, he'd totally reconsider it...I guess?

Biden's campaign said in an emailed statement Wednesday that he "misheard the woman on the ropeline and thought she was referring to the Mexico City rule" -- a policy that prohibits federal funding for non-governmental organizations that offer or refer patients for abortions or advocate for expanded access to abortion rights. That policy is broadly opposed by Democrats and was repealed by Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, only to be re-instated by George W. Bush and Donald Trump.

"He has not at this point changed his position on the Hyde Amendment. The Hyde Amendment does not prevent organizations in the US that provide lifesaving health care services for women from receiving the federal funding they need," Biden's campaign said. "But given the current draconian attempts to limit access to abortion, if avenues for women to access their protected rights under Roe V Wade are closed, he would be open to repeal."

https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/05/politics/joe-biden-abortion-hyde-amendment/index.html

[jalan48]

30. Thanks for the info. I didn't know this.

[mr_liberal]

35. he doesnt think people that oppose abortion should be forced to pay for abortions.

politically it's the correct position. voters are on the pro-choice side right now, but overreaching and not just being for choice but also for anti-abortion people being made to pay for it is a great way turn voters against you. republicans would love if a democrat ran on that in the ge.

this is a great example of how the left has a tin ear about how issues play to swing voters.

[shanny]

55. Sorry but that's lame.

I am opposed to many things that I am forced to pay for: war and fossil fuel subsidies top the list but there's plenty more, extending all the way down to the local level (why on earth should taxpayers foot the bill for sports stadiums?).

[GP6971]

38. BS. n/t

[sop]

39. If I recall Obama said he opposed gay marriage in 2008, supporting only civil unions,

then Biden came out very publicly for gay marriage in 2012, and Obama changed his mind. Biden was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1972 at the age of 29. Politicians take many positions and cast lots of votes during long careers, then later change their minds upon reflection.

This doesn't make Biden "unfit to lead," but he'd better make it very clear where he stands on this issue today. Having served in the Senate for 36 years in leadership positions, then 8 years as VP, Joe will likely face this same situation repeatedly during his candidacy.

[Indygram]

41. At a time when women's reproductive rights are under vicious attack...

it does make him unacceptable for the nomination for anyone who cares about the rights of women and girls in this country. Biden is dead wrong on this.

[sop]

44. I agree, the Hyde Amendment was an abomination

Banning the use of federal funds to pay for abortion except to save the life of the woman, or if the pregnancy arises from incest or rape, was the weasel's way to appease the anti-abortion crowd. It allowed the religious right to further chip away at abortion rights, and got us to where we are today.

I believe Biden took the coward's way out on this issue at the time. Maybe he's making a calculated move to the center, like Obama did with the gay marriage issue in 2008. In my opinion, if he doesn't clarify his position quickly, he'll lose a lot of votes.

[Indygram]

46. The majority of America is opposed to the assault on choice

And ANYONE supporting ANYTHING that enables ANY level of attacks on women and girls autonomy over their bodies can go screw themselves.

[ucrdem]

42. "Unfit for Command" was the name of Jerome Corsi's swiftboat book:

Not a good bedfellow, Washington Post.

[BannonsLiver]

43. Ahh...a kinder more genteel time

When everyone was clear eyed as to who the enemy was.

[Doodley]

45. Give me an imperfect Joe over Trump and the GOP who are banning abortion and taking away healthcare.

Yes, he is fit to lead. I give him my full support because he is our best chance to prevent a second term of the worst president in American history.

[Indygram]

47. If Democrats want to beat Trump then they damn well better consider

That their base is WOMEN OF COLOR...who are the most harmed by the IGNORANT support of the Hyde Amendment. Do you REALLY want them to have a reason to stay home? Really?

[Doodley]

48. I don't want us to self-destruct by attacking other Democrats.

[Indygram]

49. But enabling the attack on women is OK?

No thank you.

[Skya Rhen]

50. Give women of color more credit than that - there are countless other issues that impact our

community and the women that I know take their right to vote seriously. There is too much at stake and we will not stay at home and help a racist remain in power. That is a non-starter.

[Doodley]

58. Well said. We have to stop attacking Democrats.

[Demsrule86]

53. I do too.and the Hyde thing is the least of ok urban worries.

[MFM008]

51. Im not happy

About this. I hope he clarifies at the debates.

[Kurt V.]

54. live your values, the saying goes. dem values aren't monolithic but pretty basic. joe is off here.

[Scurrilous]

60. He's back!

[peggysue2]

61. The Only Person Unfit to Lead is

Donald Trump. He proves it Every Frigging Day.

Btw, since Biden has now apparently walked back his campaign's claim, this WAPO OP writer will need a rewrite, tout suite.