Former Vice President and presidential hopeful Joe Biden refuses to apologize for his earlier comments touting his ability to work effectively with segregationist senators in the 1970s.
What We Know:
- Biden’s comments celebrated his ability to find common ground to work efficiently with segregationist senators in the 1970s and 1980s. “At least there was some civility. We got things done,” he said before a fundraiser Tuesday, June 18.
- His comments were meant to portray him as a politician who can “bring people together,” specifically citing James O. Eastland and Herman Talmadge, two segregationist Southern senators who supported racist policies.
- Democratic candidates like Kamala Harris, Corey Booker, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders have criticized Biden’s comments asking him to apologize. Harris and others feel Biden’s remark display ignorance about the dark history of the nation and flippantly use segregationists to make a point. Many feel that civility is no longer a viable option to deal with political racism.
- Biden feels he doesn’t need to apologize, explaining that he detested these senators’ values but still had to work effectively to beat them. “There’s not a racist bone in my body. I’ve been involved in civil rights my whole career, period, period, period,” Biden said Wednesday.
- Biden acknowledges that his opponents feel his stance makes him seem “old fashioned,” but feels his history of popularity and loyalty to the African-American community speaks for itself. A source with Biden’s campaign explains he has long been supported by the Congressional Black Caucus.
- Activists like Nailah Summers of Dream Defenders feel Biden’s long history of problematic comments and stances on race is what really makes him an “old fashioned” candidate, citing his 1994 crime bill that contributed to disproportionate jailing of minorities.
Biden’s refusal to apologize is an effort to maintain his lead in the Democratic primary race but may backfire as opponents dig deeper into his political career.
