It was nearly two weeks ago that Jill and I paid our respects to Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, who laid in honor in the Rotunda after losing his life protecting the Capitol from a riotous, violent mob on January 6, 2021.
Today, 57 Senators – including a record 7 Republicans – voted to find former President Trump guilty for inciting that deadly insurrection on our very democracy. The Senate vote followed the bipartisan vote to impeach him by the House of Representatives. While the final vote did not lead to a conviction, the substance of the charge is not in dispute. Even those opposed to the conviction, like Senate Minority Leader McConnell, believe Donald Trump was guilty of a “disgraceful dereliction of duty” and “practically and morally responsible for provoking” the violence unleashed on the Capitol.
Tonight, I am thinking about those who bravely stood guard that January day. I’m thinking about all those who lost their lives, all those whose lives were threatened, and all those who are still today living with terror they lived through that day. And I’m thinking of those who demonstrated the courage to protect the integrity of our democracy – Democrats and Republicans, election officials and judges, elected representatives and poll workers – before and after the election.
This sad chapter in our history has reminded us that democracy is fragile. That it must always be defended. That we must be ever vigilant. That violence and extremism has no place in America. And that each of us has a duty and responsibility as Americans, and especially as leaders, to defend the truth and to defeat the lies.
That is how we end this uncivil war and heal the very soul of our nation. That is the task ahead. And it’s a task we must undertake together. As the United States of America.
From a press pool report of a Biden Campaign virtual fundraiser with Obama Administration and Campaign alumni held this afternoon.
On the COVID-19 pandemic:
“Our job isn’t just to win this election or implement a plan to end this crisis. Those are just the table stakes. Getting back to where we were in January 2017 isn’t enough. This crisis is shining a really bright light on the inequities and failures that plague our society. That’s a devastating, devastating problem that’s playing out in the cruelest ways. But it’s also an opportunity. We need an overwhelming moral response to meet this moment and to heal the fissures in our society to address those inequities. I want to get us through this immediate crisis to resurrect America in a way that reflects our values. I think it’s a moral imperative that from this moment we rebuild our nation, our economy, our health care system, our education system, our justice system, our energy system, everything in a way that truly brings everybody along, leaves no one behind, no community behind. That’s the idea at the heart of this campaign. And that’s a tall order. I know.”
On Donald Trump:
“Donald Trump is–Can I say politely?–just about the worst possible person to handle a crisis like this. He seemed completely overwhelmed by it. He doesn’t have a team, the temperament or, quite frankly, the moral authority to take it on. And frankly, he doesn’t put a high enough value on American lives to make this fight and make the right calculations, the right choices. To tell the truth. His priorities are elsewhere and it shows.”
On talking to Obama about running mates:
“What he said when talking about to me about vice president, who I should think about etc. and how I should go about it, he made the point, he said, ‘Find people who can make up for what you don’t have as much experience in doing.’”
More on the COVID-19 pandemic:
“When I announced, I said I’m running to restore the soul of America. Well, let me tell you, we’re seeing the soul of America. Look at all those people. Look at all those ordinary people risking their lives. And some lose their lives to care for everybody else without asking what your race, religion, ethnicity, without asking where you’re from. Just stepping up, stepping up and doing it in circumstances where they know they’re putting their lives at risk because they don’t have a proper protective gear.”
On the right wingnut astroturf at the Michigan capitol building:
“Can you imagine? Can you imagine any former Republican president, I’m talking from Reagan and the two Bushes condoning people in the state capital, carrying AR 15s and semi-automatic weapons?” he said, noting he saw a swastika in one of the photos. “Can you imagine any former president not condemning that to try to intimidate a governor, the legislature? And the responsibility of meeting that threat falls to us.”
On Tara Reade:
“Your trust and faith has always meant a great deal to me. So first, let me say unequivocally, this claim is simply not true. It did not happen. Now, my knowledge that it isn’t true does nothing to shake my belief that women have to be able to be heard and that all the claims be taken seriously. It isn’t enough just to simply take my word for it and to dismiss it out of hand. Frankly, that shouldn’t be enough for anyone, because we know that this sort of approach is exactly how the culture of abuse has been allowed to fester for so long.
So I’m heartened to see it, although it’s painful sometimes, that by and large journalists are doing what they’re supposed to do. They’re going out there listening to the allegations. They’re taking it seriously and they’re investigating it. And they’re talking with folks who were there at the time, scrutinizing personnel records, examining the evolution of the claims, looking into the culture of our office. And I’m not concerned about what they might find, because I know the truth of the matter. I know that this claim has no merit. But as a candidate for president, I’m accountable to the American people. And I welcome that accountability and the scrutiny of the press as well.
Those of you who know me know that my entire life from public service and motivated by one issue above all else, identifying and eliminating the abuse of power, whatever form it takes. It’s why I wrote the Violence Against Women Act in the first place as a senator. It’s why I consider it my proudest achievement. As vice president, I worked with many of you making these issues a priority, elevating the Office of Violence Against Women at the Justice Department, starting with the It’s On US campaign to make sure college campuses are stable, engaging men and recognizing that sexual assault was their problem, too. And they had to step up and step in. They had a duty to speak out. Our country has made incredible strides and it’s been gratifying to see the change because we were fighting for what it was. It was a pretty lonely cause to begin with, and has taken on added urgency with Donald Trump now trying to roll back the progress we’ve made in our lives and on our culture. So I want to promise you as president, I will not for one second back off my life’s work of making every part of America, from campuses to military bases to boardrooms to family homes to digital space, places of safety and security for all women, free from abuse, free from the abuse of power.”
Former Vice President Joe Biden’s (D) presidential campaign held a get out the vote rally early yesterday evening at the Liberty Memorial in anticipation of Missouri’s presidential primary on Tuesday, March 10th. I estimate something over two thousand individuals in attendance.
The rally was held in the plaza atop the Liberty Memorial.
Former Missouri Governor Bob Holden (D) introduced Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D).
Former Missouri Governor Bob Holden (D).
Representative Cleaver introduced Joe Biden.
Joe Biden’s remarks [edited for length and content]:
A few minutes into his remarks, two or three individuals started shouting. Joe Biden addressed them briefly and asked them to meet with him after he spoke.
“…I believe in Joe Biden and will do everything in my power to help elect him the next president of the United States.”
Senator Kamala Harris (D) has endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden (D) for president.
Senator Kamala Harris (D) [2019 file photo].
The statement:
[….]
“When I started my run for president, I said America needs a president who reflects the decency and dignity of the American people; a president who speaks the truth; and a president who fights for those whose voices are too often overlooked or ignored.
“I still believe that to this day. That is why I am proud to announce I am endorsing my friend, Vice President Joe Biden, for President of the United States.
“I got to know Joe more than a decade ago through his son – my dear friend, the late Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden. As attorneys general during the financial crisis, Beau and I were leaders in the fight to take on the biggest banks in the nation and secure billions of dollars in relief for homeowners across the country. And I can tell you that Beau inherited his strength of character, selfless courage, and commitment to public service from his father, Joe.
“As I reflect on my own time on the campaign trail spent listening to people’s hopes, dreams, fears, and daily struggles, I know what Americans want and deserve in their next commander-in-chief.
“Americans deserve a president who confronts the daily challenges facing working people with the same determination and steady leadership they apply to addressing the most serious crises facing our nation. We deserve a president with the knowledge and experience to reassure a nation weary of tweets, lies, and incompetence. And we deserve a president who speaks to the best of who we are and challenges us to live up to our ideals.
“There is no one better prepared than Joe to steer our nation through these turbulent times, and restore truth, honor, and decency to the Oval Office. He is kind and endlessly caring, and he truly listens to the American people. You can see in his eyes how he takes to heart the experiences of mothers and fathers working to make ends meet and worrying about whether their children can be safe in their classroom, or young people who fight tirelessly to tackle climate change as they ask for a fair shot at the future in front of them. And with a lifetime in public service, Joe has a proven track record of getting things done.
“Like many women, I watched with sadness as women exited the race one by one. Four years after our nominee, the first woman to win the nomination of a major party, received 3 million more votes than Donald Trump but still lost, we find ourselves without any woman on a path to be the Democratic nominee for president. This is something we must reckon with and it is something I will have more to say about in the future. But we must rise to unite the party and country behind a candidate who reflects the decency and dignity of the American people and who can ultimately defeat Donald Trump.
“I truly believe our nation is at an inflection point. And the decision voters make this November will shape the country and the world our children and grandchildren will grow up in. I believe in Joe Biden and will do everything in my power to help elect him the next president of the United States.”
[….]
Uh, yep.
Former Vice President Joe Biden (D) [2020 file photo].
Mike Recine @mikerecine
No offense but some of you Warren people need to get over it. When Bernie lost in 2016, we didn’t cry this much. We sucked it up and voted for Trump. 9:10 PM · Mar 4, 2020
