Jon Stewart And Samantha Bee On Allegations Of Biden's Hands-On Approach

[corbettkroehler]

Last edited Wed Apr 3, 2019, 10:50 AM - Edit history (2)

I agree that, if we let things get out of hand, Joe Biden could become the next Al Franken. While I support Sanders for the 2020 nomination, I share the following as a patriot and progressive without any hint of favoritism.

On this question of inappropriate touching, The Daily Show, back under its longest-serving host, Jon Stewart, reported that Biden was accused of the same touching back in 2015 and Comedy Central provided helpful context as only it could. (click to view)



http://www.cc.com/video-clips/yfmksi/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-the-audacity-of-grope

[dubyadiprecession]

1. Sanders is "in Dutch" for not showing his tax returns.

Nobody really cares about a woman who got an Eskimo kiss and a touch on the back of the neck.

[corbettkroehler]

2. Did You Watch The Video? These Are Not Isolated Incidents By Any Stretch (n/t)

[Cha]

3. So? Were you this eager to

to point out all of Al Franken's accusers?

[corbettkroehler]

5. I'm Eager For Everyone To Have Context

I was not aware of a documented pattern of pervasive impropriety by Franken. Had I been and, had he been a presidential candidate, the answer would be a firm yes.

My goal here is for everyone to realize that, where there's smoke, there's fire. Biden supporters should be informed of all of the facts now, so that they may cast their ballot with all of the facts at their command.

[Cha]

12. BS has plenty to be vetted about, too..

I'd much rather have Joe Biden as President than BS.

[corbettkroehler]

22. That's Part Of Why I Love Bernie

He has stated publicly (this cycle and last) that he is so dedicated to high voter turn-out that he'd rather help voters who oppose him cast their ballot than be a Republican who tries to disenfranchise voters.

I echo his sentiment. If my sharing this video causes you to strengthen your conviction for Biden away from Sanders, I would be disappointed but have no regrets. Democracy, which includes a commitment to the truth, is more important than anything else. This video adds essential context.

All I ask is that, once Sanders has secured the nomination, you fight for him as hard as you fought for Biden during the primary.

[Cha]

23. BS isn't going to win the primary.

[corbettkroehler]

25. I Won't Shock You By Demurring But...

will offer a friendly wager: whoever does a better job motivating young voters will emerge the victor. In my estimation, that's Sanders running away, not Biden, much as I salute his decades of service.

[Tipperary]

28. Yep.

+1

[Autumn]

7. Is Franken going to be your go to deflection? That's not fair to Franken, you might

do better to go after John Stewart for talking about this in 2015.

[corbettkroehler]

11. Franken Is No Deflection

I merely raise him because many Democrats, including Whoopi Goldberg, have complained that the Lucy Flores accusation has the potential to spin out of control and lead to Biden's withdrawal much as it did with Franken.

I didn't think Franken should resign. He should have remained and then his constituents would have cast their judgment when he ran for another term.

[dubyadiprecession]

4. I won't be joining any of these non Democratic Party chants of...

“Lock him up! Lock him up!” If you want to join trump in condemning him, than that is your choice, not mine.

[corbettkroehler]

9. I'm Not Chanting That, Just Sharing Important Context

Biden's issues with a hands-on approach are much older and larger than some may be aware.

I also side with Speaker Pelosi in affirming that this issue does not necessarily disqualify Mr. Biden from being President - but voters should know the whole truth.

[Cha]

13. Yeah? Voters should know

the whole truth about BS, too.. do you see that happening?

[corbettkroehler]

16. Definitely And I Concur That The Tax Returns Have Become A Big Problem

Bernie's website needs a heck of a lot of work, too. He spent the early weeks staffing up to raise money and hold rallies. This approach was quite effective but the website and the release of his taxes have fallen by the website and I sympathize with everyone who has grown impatient.

One of his biggest errors in 2016 was drawing tens of thousands of people to stadium-size rallies but converting few if any of those in attendants into volunteers. He largely has corrected that and, unfortunately, the staff assigned to address that issue needed to be expanded in order to work on the website and give Jane the free time she needed in order to finish off the tax returns.

This will be addressed soon but the delays have become intolerable.

[cwydro]

29. This OP is so obvious. nt

[Cha]

14. There's a lot of us on this board

who feel the same, dubyadiprecession.

[spooky3]

6. I see a few differences between Biden's situation and Franken's.

1) Biden does not currently hold office. He cannot be driven out by group pressure without a proper hearing. Biden can declare “let the primary voters decide.” Presumably the most powerful Dem, Pelosi, has said it is not disqualifying as a candidate, but that he needs to take responsibility and change behavior going forward.

2) although all the facts are not in, I see differences in the accusations. In Franken’s case, the first was clearly a staged comedy photo in bad taste, no touching, for which he fully apologized. The “objectionable” kiss was part of a skit that she did not object to in rehearsal, even though she and Al were equals as performers. The accuser was aligned with Fox yet accepted his apology and said she did not want him to resign. All of the other incidents were highly questionable IMHO. One claimed groping when the photo taken at the time by a husband showed nothing of the sort. Other incidents were reported anonymously to journalists who were not working for established outlets known for investigative quality. Etc Al’s response to the allegations was complete and appropriate and he called for an investigation.

In Biden’s case, touching and kissing someone from behind without consent is problematic, and in his “apology” he still could not “get” that consent is essential and that it is how an individual woman perceives his unusual greetings, not just his intent, that matters. This is especially true where there is a large power differential and nowhere for the woman to report a problem, if she doesn’t feel she should make a scene at an important event—if ever. In light of his not “getting” what was wrong with his handling of the Thomas hearings and fully apologizing to Hill, and the possibility that some recent accusations may also suggest a pattern, it’s more troubling.

I’m with Pelosi on this, at least given our current incomplete info.

[corbettkroehler]

10. I Appreciate Your Helpful Context (n/t)

[spooky3]

15. That's a great and prescient clip! Thanks for posting. Nt

[corbettkroehler]

18. I'm Glad You Found It Helpful

and that you can see it for what it's worth rather than some who think I share it only to bolster Sanders.

As you choose your candidate, I know that you will include it as a factor within the context of Biden's decades of success and public service.

[shanny]

26. Well said.

[spooky3]

30. Thank you. nt

[BlueFlorida]

17. The more supporters of a certain candidate harp on Biden and the non-story

the more it seems like a well organized and well coordinated smear from the highest echelons of a certain campaign.

So, please move on and find a better way to promote your candidate.

Seen any tax returns lately?

[corbettkroehler]

19. The Tax Returns Are A Real Problem. Did You Watch The Video?

If, after watching the video, which predates Sanders' first announcement in 2016, you still can't see that it's important context no matter who shares it, then you have missed the point entirely.

Biden has a real problem with inappropriate touching and it's far from an isolated incident recurring once in a blue moon (no pun intended).

[BlueFlorida]

20. I respect your right to harp upon this

but it is getting Biden sympathy and making your candidate look really bad.

So wherever the directive to promote this non-story is coming from, I wish someone shows them this post.

[corbettkroehler]

21. Here's The Exact Directive

I support Sanders but have not given him a dime or done any volunteering for him this cycle. I support him because I am a Democratic Socialist and have admired his work for decades, period.

No one from the campaign contacted me about this video. If my sharing it generates sympathy for Biden, them's the breaks. The truth is the truth.

As for the provenance of the video, I subscribe to an excellent Hollywood electronic newsletter from TheWrap.com and this was a recent post. I immediately recognized it for its probative value among primary voters and had to share it.

Sanders has not made this a major issue on the stump and I doubt that he will. I feel that providing voters with context outweighs any potential impact Bernie's reputation may suffer as a result.

That's the whole story. I believe that journalism, including citizen journalism, like donating blood and voting in every election, is the responsibility of every patriot. It is imperative that we nominate the best candidate. To me, that's Bernie no matter how you slice it.

[uponit7771]

27. +1, seeing way to much of it on M$M too. Too many MAGA Cultist saying this is damaging without any

... facts to back it up.

[rgbecker]

24. Creepy! n/t