Presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden apologized for his comments about his ability to work with segregationist senators but defended his history with issues of race in a speech on Saturday, July 6.
What We Know:
- Biden was criticized for his comments earlier last month touting his ability to work with segregationist senators with “civility” in the 1970s. He has since refused to apologize for his comments explaining that his history on race speaks for itself and that there is “not a racist bone” in his body.
- Biden finally apologized for his comments in South Carolina after facing intense pushback from other Democratic candidates and voters. “Was I wrong a few weeks ago?…to somehow give the impression that I am praising those men that I opposed time and again, yes, I was, and I regret it. I am sorry for any of the pain or misconception I may have caused anybody,” Biden said.
- Biden has, though, doubled down on his defense of his political history on race, citing his record of civil rights activism and accomplishments with the nation’s first black president Barack Obama.
- Biden also addressed the criticism he has faced for his role in passing the 1994 crime bill that contributed to disproportionate jailing of minorities, claiming his record has been “grossly misrepresented.” Though he did accept some responsibility for the bill, he emphasized that the bill did in fact work in many areas.
Biden still leads the polls for the 2020 Democratic Presidential Nomination by 11 points, followed by Kamala Harris and Bernie Sanders.
