Unfortunately, this is a sign of weakness from him. He should be confident that his Democratic rivals are not s**tstains, and would never go there. Anyone who would should never be on a Dem ticket again.

The discussion about the optics is fair game, though. Unfortunately, Hunter was on that board. Regardless of how nonsensical the allegations are, it has given the Rethugs a tiny anthill to try to make into a mountain of lies out of. He's going to have to figure out how to deal with that if he becomes the nominee. He can't afford to just ignore it, any more than the Swiftboat BS or the "but her emails!!!" BS could simply be ignored.

trump doesn't want to run against Biden. Why don't folks get it?

Why does anyone here care who he wants to run against?

Really, I am appalled at Democrats who engage in using Right wing lies against Biden...Warren won't run again but some may want to ...and they lose my support for all time in a primary...general yes...primary no.

There is no reason to be confident that some won't be total shit stains.

Having said that, both of them have defended Biden on this.

Joe should ENCOURAGE such questions, so he can put the subject to bed. Joe's advisers need ro reevaluate his strategy.


Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

Was his son a itty bitty kid that joe could scold and tell he cant take the job? What exactly would you have expected joe to do?

believe that some think that repeating right wing lies against another Democratic candidate is fair game

this would "put the subject to be", especially in a debate format where there is barely enough time to respond adequately.

I would guarantee you that the next day trump and the republicans would be jumping all over this how "even the Democratic candidates believe the Biden's are guilty"

It has ALREADY been bebunked, not only by the press, but at the time it happened, and that didn't put anything to bed, and neither would this. The only think this would do is feed the right wing propaganda machine, just like some did against the Democratic nominee in the 2016 GE

...anyone mentions Bernie's heart attack, everything will be on the table for discussion...

...we can't expect people to ignore the obvious...

...it's called 'free speech'...

...

volumes about them.

That being said, I do not see any Democratic candidate doing that

to spend their on-air time discussing. But maybe they don't think so.

"But maybe you don't think so."

That's pretty much what I think too.

Being seen trying to contain a bogus allegation is bad move. Maybe try subtlety next time.

The Biden team should insist the media moderators keep their questions to a political debate, not smears or trying to start a food fight.

There is no "there, there", the story has no legs, no comment is best. imo

Anyone remember the whole "taxes nothingburger," when Bernie chose to wait until he could release all of his tax returns at once? Yet, all we heard on a daily basis for months was "what's he trying to hide?".

Turns out zippo... I'm all for transparency and, therefore, like others, thought it was important that Bernie do what he did and make full disclosure... Joe will too if he's smart, which he is. Under the "Bernie Standard," in the interest of vetting candidates to see who's the most equipped to run against tRumpy, Joe needs to provide MORE information, not less... why not, since he says there's no there there?

I believe Joe on this 100%, unless and until shown otherwise (doubtful anyone CAN show otherwise based on what I've seen so far)... which is why he should answer any and all questions, so as to be done with this issue once and for all.


Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

The fact that his son is an adult and can take whatever job he wants?

I was agreeing with the poster above, who said: "Containing a bogus allegation is ostensibly a good idea. Being seen trying to contain a bogus allegation is bad move. Maybe try subtlety next time." That's an excellent observation!!

The point is that it's not a good look... NOT that Joe is actually trying to hide something... BUT, if this was Bernie, well, then all bets are off, as we have seen. Bernie, like ALL of our other Democratic candidates, should have been given the benefit of the doubt, yet, here, he was acused daily of trying to hide something in connection with disclosing his taxes returns. That was wrong in Bernie's case, and similarly, it would be wrong to accuse Joe of that.

Back to the excellent point of the poster to whom I was responding... better to be more subtle in trying to contain a bogus allegation. All Joe did with his "warning shot" was GUARAN-DAMN-TEE that the debate moderators will ask Joe about this and try to get all the other candidates to comment on this issue. Joe and his advisors should have rethought that strategy.


Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

Will stir up the pot on Hunter Biden .. Probably make him the subject of the first question they ask Joe and then get the other candidates to respond to his answer …...They love conflict

on how to handle this. Both Joe AND Hunter need to get out in front of this, perhaps, hold a joint press conference and answer all questions, so as to tamp down any and all false accusations.


Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

is no Democrat... What is going on now is a made up scandal by the right to stain Biden.. and the same will happen to any candidate who takes a lead position.. remember the Pocahontas stunt.. oh they have more than that teed up.. but I was in here fighting with certain elements against attacking Sen Warren.. and we all should walk in lock step against these Trumpian tactics.. I would expect the same from Biden not to use a Trumped up smear against any of the other candidates..

Whose bright idea was this?

That is how this comes off to me. It gives the impression of that or fear.

Dumb.

Though I understand the need for some to feel that way.

Again, he’s either not listening to his advisors or they’re giving him bad advice.

Defensiveness is a sign of weakness. He is either too arrogant to admit his decisions turned out to be as wrong as the critics said they would be, or too insecure to look at the damage done and re-evaluate his original position.
I have a hard time seeing him as too arrogant to admit mistakes, so my guess is insecurity. I think he loves his family and is sad to see this happening to his son. He has been too defensive about his record maybe out of protecting his legacy? Now he is also trying to protect his family. This campaign cannot be all about the candidate and his family and personal legacy.
We have problems that require a candidate who can step away from their personal lives and not have to worry about their family's entanglements and an effective republican swiftboat narrative alleging corruption.

he's going for.


Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

Makes it pretty clear he knows it is hurting him.

Transparency is the best way for Joe to get this issue behind him... not warnings about what subjects are off limits in a debate. Not a good look is right!!


Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

To me there are two issues. The lies and the ethics. One is fair game, one is not.

Really? I thought 18 and definitely 21 meant you are all grown up.

Insanity is thinking a young person is going to seek "permission" from their parents.

Advice perhaps, but not permission!

As for all the candidates, don't take the bait for a 20 second sound bite. People like Joe, and we will fight the smears.

Don't push RW talking points. Works on DU and it should apply to the debates.

It might be RW smears aimed at them next.

And Trump and the RNC will use any helpful clips they can get from the Democratic debates.

Biden. He is keeping his powder relatively dry with the rest of the field. That fact should not provide comfort.

Behind the scenes, a full out and no-holds-barred, prolonged siege on nominee is ready to go in the GE phase, replete with outright lies, fear-mongering, spin on the truth, and voter targeting to suppress key groups. No candidate is invulnerable.

I could tell you how each will be smeared, but I’d have to repeat RW talking points. The belief that
X or Y’s super-powers can fend off the Trump machine is misguided.

If Biden can’t, if Hilary couldn’t, your candidate is at equal, at least, risk. Both are seasoned politicians, widely loved and respected, with a host of accomplishments and a track record unmatched by anyone else running.

Trump is depending on us to destroy ourselves. Just Say No.

to attack republicans for spreading lies.

He came right out and said during one of the early debates that he and everyone else was damn sick and tired of hearing about Hillary's emails. That got a cheer and even an applause from Clinton. LOL.

And if it's going to come up that's the way it should be handled by all our candidates. Dismiss it for what it is: disinformation and Trump panic.

would be above using Trump machine’s baseless Biden attack to further themselves. Good on Harris and Booker speaking up for him this time, but the silence from some others is deafening.

As I see some rival candidates’ supporters claim Rump’s attempt to pick our nominee ironically disqualifies him, as “distraction” will cripple his chances in GE, I imagine how difficult for all candidates to take a hands-off approach.

Even too big a pause after a question can signal there’s a there there. After some time passing and still the silence that speaks volumes, the Biden campaign sees united front against Trump machine’s manipulation not going to assemble. One candidate has already gone high-minded about VP adult children and foreign countries.

Weak, I hear, in various iterations: weak response to attack, weakened by attack, inherent weakness because weak with son, son weak because kicked out of navy etc, nomination will weaken party.

But strong response is weak too.

I say Just Say No to enlistment in Trump’s plan.

Answer if moderator asks: Not going to assist Trump in using Biden to weaken our democracy. There’s no there there. Let’s debate policy and qualifications.

Now that would be a show of strength.

If they do, they’ll fall to the bottom of my list. But I have faith they’ll be supportive of Joe.

and no one was planning to attack him. So this is a bit clumsy and stupid.

but please, tell us who was attacking him on this?

Tell us about the stories about planned attacks?

Tell us why it would be logical to attack him on this, how it would help anyone and not backfire badly considering the entire party is united around this hurting Trump? Why would anyone who wants to be the nominee actively help Trump to (not) hurt Biden?

Which candidate do you simultaneously think is an asshole AND stupid?

Go ahead, you clearly have the answers to these questions.

If I have an opinion I say so.... that it’s my opinion. Otherwise I post facts backed up by links

got it.

If the moderators put them in a corner about why Chris Heinz chose to dissolve his business ties with Hunter Biden once he accepted a position on Burisma's board.

That said, I doubt anyone will be using RW talking points, as people will rightfully judge them harshly in the polls.

our Democracy.. they should all be untied against trump's attempt to subvert it.

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

in one of the previous debates. No surprise if she did it again. The Hunter Biden CTs have been thoroughly debunked and in the press. No excuses.

tries to smear Joe with this I will never say anything about them to anyone. I will not say good things, I will not say bad things, I will not defend them against the worst magat out there. All I will do is vote for them pinching both my nose and asshole shut to complete that detestable fact. The people pushing that it is fair game on here have the intellect of a 14 year old.

It was sickening beyond words. Dumping lies and kid crap on Joe and Hunter.

If he can dish it out, he better be able to take it on knocking other people's kids. His own should be going down the toilet with him.