Chris, Joe Biden did what he needed to do at tonight's CNN presidential debate, after most of the other candidates spent the evening making every issue about him. Overall, Biden came across much stronger, smarter, funnier, and well-informed than he did during the first debate. I think he accomplished what he needed to.
Below I'll be providing some highlights of Biden's debate performance, and then please donate to Biden's campaign and to support our work fighting the Trump agenda in 2020.
Biden had a strong opening statement, telling the audience: “I’m running for president to restore the soul of this country.... We are strong and great because off our diversity, not in spite of it.... Mr. President, let's get something straight. We love [the US], we are not leaving it, we are here to stay, and we are certainly not going to leave it to you.” - Video here.
But that didn't stop Kamala Harris fans from starting another fake controversy about Biden, this time when the mic picked up Biden at the start of the debate, when he was shaking Harris' hand, telling her: "Go easy on me, kid." The Harris contingent is now claiming Biden called her a child, which is ridiculous and an obvious attempt to play the victim when nothing was done wrong.
Biden went after Harris on her health care plan, accusing her of double talk, and telling folks it's too expensive ($30 trillion) and thus unrealistic. There's video here. Instead, Biden wants to expand Obamacare and provide a public option.
Which reminds me, the person attacked almost as much as Biden tonight as Barack Obama. In an effort to wound Biden, many of the candidates have turned to attacking Obama's record, from Obamacare to immigration.
We won't really know how Biden did for a few days. Remember, everyone said Harris destroyed him in the last debate, and while she got a momentary bump in the polls, she fell back down to the levels she was at -- and Biden rose back to the levels he was at -- shortly before this debate tonight. So you really don't know the impact for a while.
Again, please donate to Biden's campaign and to support our work fighting the Trump agenda in 2020. And thanks,
JOHN
PS Biden also took Cory Booker on over his record on civil rights issues in New Jersey, and Kamala Harris over her record in California, but I didn't find video.
