Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumHunter Biden Steps Down from Chinese Board Amid Trump Attacks
Hunter Biden is stepping down from the board of a Chinese-backed private equity company and promising to forego all foreign work if his father, former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, is elected president in 2020.
After months of keeping a relatively low-profile as President Donald Trump leveled a barrage of unsubstantiated accusations of corruption at him, the younger Biden is publicly vowing to avoid any conflict of interest.
According to a statement released on his behalf by his lawyer George Mesires, Biden said hell resign at the end of the month from the management company of a private equity fund thats backed by Chinese state-owned entities. He also pledged that he wouldnt work for any foreign-owned companies or serve on their boards during a potential Biden administration. He reiterated that he never discussed his business activities with his father.
Hunter and Joe Biden
Hunter always understood that his father would be guided, entirely and unequivocally, by established U.S. policy, regardless of its effects on Hunters professional interests, the statement said. He never anticipated the barrage of false charges against both him and his father by the President of the United States.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-10-13/hunter-biden-steps-down-from-chinese-board-in-bid-to-fight-back?srnd=premium
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
ProudMNDemocrat
(16,321 posts)Because that is all he has to offer.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
metroins
(2,550 posts)All Biden needs to do is flip the script and attack Trump's children. Zero experience and making deals with foreign countries and indicted Ukrainians.
I also do not think Hunter Biden is a good person.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
DrFunkenstein
(8,745 posts)Saying "Well, the Republicans are even worse" is not a winning argument for Democrats in the long run. It just makes Americans feel - with some justification - that the whole system is corrupt.
In the end, this turns people off of politics and makes them not want to turn out for anybody. By depressing the number of voters, this only helps the GOP, who have done a much better job of motivating single-issue voters (anti-abortion, anti-gun restrictions, etc.).
Yes, Trump and the offspring of his three marriages are some of the worst examples of corruption in memory. But we need someone to restore trust in the entire institution of our democracy, which is not a return to a few years ago. A few years ago, lobbyists still wrote the policy agendas, Wall Street still dictated their own regulations.
We need to get the heart of the sickness, not just get rid of the worst symptom.
Take just two minutes flipping through these anti-corruption plans and see if you don't find yourself thinking how much trust would be built into the American people - trust like the one that allowed FDR to help Americans on so many levels.
https://medium.com/@teamwarren/my-plan-to-end-washington-corruption-554c7f01aaa5
That's how Democrats start winning consistently across the country.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Martin Eden
(12,786 posts)Rethugs have been disparaging our own government for decades, encouraging cynicism and mistrust.
Why?
So they can make government serve the interests of the oligarchy.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
DrFunkenstein
(8,745 posts)It's one of his go-to mechanisms. He did it very successfully against Clinton, an infinitely better human being that he did his best to drag down to his level. He's done it time and again whenever he is charged with something since he's been in office, too.
Even told Russians we interfere in other countries elections, so they were not so bad.
President Trump told two senior Russian officials in a 2017 Oval Office meeting that he was unconcerned about Moscows interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election because the United States did the same in other countries, an assertion that prompted alarmed White House officials to limit access to the remarks to an unusually small number of people, according to three former officials with knowledge of the matter.
The comments, which have not been previously reported, were part of a now-infamous meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, in which Trump revealed highly classified information that exposed a source of intelligence on the Islamic State. He also said during the meeting that firing FBI Director James B. Comey the previous day had relieved great pressure on him.
A memorandum summarizing the meeting was limited to a few officials with the highest security clearances in an attempt to keep the presidents comments from being disclosed publicly, according to the former officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/trump-told-russian-officials-in-2017-he-wasnt-concerned-about-moscows-interference-in-us-election/2019/09/27/b20a8bc8-e159-11e9-b199-f638bf2c340f_story.html
Talk about America first!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
bonniebgood
(937 posts)sentence/phrase on the branding of Government Money, taxpayer Money, Socialism, welfare, subsidies, etc
"Rethugs have been disparaging our own government for decades, encouraging cynicism and mistrust."
Oligarchy, Anyone who Works or Receives money from the Federal Government> Politicians, President on down is
"Receiving a Socialist Paycheck/Money". It Doesn't make any sense to tear down/destroy your employer.
Politician will lie and cheat to get that 'socialist paycheck' ie power. then tell the powerless, under educated, uneducated that
they should reject socialism.
Every word or phrase should have the word 'socialism in front of it.
Lose your job. No welfare and food stamps for you.
Lose your farm due to tariffs or climate change : Subsidies Good for you.
The Country as a whole need to know what government money does and who receives it.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Perseus
(4,341 posts)Explain why they are worse, make sure you present proof to your audience.
I met a couple of women at a supermarket the other day, sisters, one of them is pro-trump and thinks he is doing a superb job "I mean, the economy...", the other one is horrified at how her sister thinks. So I presented all the facts to the pro-trumper, told her to stop watching fox news, at which of course she said "I also watch CNN", so I said, "I bet 80% of your watching is on fox news, right, and maybe more", she said "well yes, but...". At this point I started explaining why "the economy" is not trump's economy but one left by Obama, and how trump is destroying the economy and how we are heading to a recession, then I went through a list of crimes and misdemeanors, as well as about the families on the border, the indictments, the people already in jail, etc. It is impossible to list all the wrongdoings from this administration in fifteen minutes or less, but the point is you cannot just say "they are worst", you have to take the time to explain why.
The pro-trumper sister looks at me all this time with deer under the light eyes, but I think I may have given her some food for thought, her sister promised that she was and would continue to work on her.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
DrFunkenstein
(8,745 posts)I tell people that virtually every business deal Trump touched turned to poop, and only his father's $413 Million faucet of tax-dodging cash infusions kept Trump from being a comic footnote in the history of real estate.
---
'What We Did Was a Scam': The Apprentice Creators Give Behind the Scenes Reveal of Trump's Show
What we did, that was a scam, says producer Bill Pruitt. That was an entertainment.
Pruitt describes Trumps real office within New Yorks Trump Tower as dated, so the show built the boardroom where Trump uttered the now famous line Youre Fired! The famous boardroom was a set based on the classy, high-powered office portrayed in the movie Network.
If you walked around Trumps actual office in Trump Tower youd see the woods chipped, and whats that smell? says Pruitt in the film. It wasnt the empire we were going to have to sell to people. We needed to gussy it up a bit. And we did.
...
The New York gossip columnist AJ Benza recalls that Trump gave him dirt on the Manhattan nightlife scene in exchange for labeling him a billionaire.
He wanted to be paid back in a particular way, regardless of what you mentioned, says Benza in the film. He never really cared as long as you said the word billionaire.
The reality, the film contends, is that by the early 1990s, The Trump Organization was facing over $3 billion of debt and its three Atlantic City casinos went bankrupt; in the following years leading to The Apprentice, Trump was a man in trouble.
We wanted to show people that Donald Trump is not a good businessman when it comes to building a company and managing a company, Stevens tells PEOPLE, and I wanted to say how how scary it is that he is running the country because he doesnt do due diligence on any of his deals.
https://people.com/politics/apprentice-creators-donald-trump-scam/
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
oldsoftie
(12,376 posts)Nail him on the things that REALLY matter
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Perseus
(4,341 posts)I hope people do their due diligence to read about Hunter Biden and be objective about what he has done.
"The Navy Reserve discharged Vice President Joe Biden's son Hunter this year after he tested positive for cocaine, U.S. officials confirmed."
Now, I have no doubt that trump's children are even worst, and the truth about all of them should come out, it is up to the Democrats to take the mask off all the GOP crooks,that includes Melania and the trump children.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
I cant remember which magazine did a piece on him, maybe the New Yorker, but it wasnt pretty.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Andy823
(11,495 posts)He was discharged from the Navy Reserve in 2014. You might want to check that out before you say it was this year.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Demsrule86
(68,217 posts)Trump's work for him...If he wins in 20, they will regret this.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Demsrule86
(68,217 posts)issues are not very good people...not you of course.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Sienna86
(2,147 posts)Even though hes not the candidate its not a good look.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
treestar
(82,383 posts)blatantly as Donnie Dotard does; that looks like admitting it is wrong, at least to Deplorables and Dummies.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
ananda
(28,758 posts)This whole thing stinks!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
DrFunkenstein
(8,745 posts)That's precisely the sentiment that allows the GOP to run a country where they have so little support on the actual issues, let alone the revolving door of lobbyists and Wall Street execs dictating the regulations that need to follow.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
djacq
(1,633 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
tman
(983 posts)He will only use this move as proof of how right he was.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
BeyondGeography
(39,226 posts)Should have cleared the decks on this before Joe announced. Now it looks like caving.
On the plus side, it has the healthy effect of freeing any candidate who so desires to say sitting on the boards of foreign cos will not be ok in their Administration for children of the President and VP without being accused of slamming Biden.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
DrFunkenstein
(8,745 posts)The appearance of a conflict has been nothing but a headache for Hunter's father, which is why Heinz parted ways and wrote to the State Department that he had no part in any of it when Hunter sent out a press release declaring that he joined the board of a natural gas company in a country struggling with corruption.
Heinz knew that Kerry would have problems with an appearance of conflict and Kerry probably would have to recuse himself from personal negotiations - an impossibility for a Secretary of State.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)seem to think through things the way his late brother did.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
OKNancy
(41,832 posts)1. Hunter is not running for anything
2. Repeating RW talking points is not a good look
3. Hunter lost is sister and mother in a car accident. I'm sure that caused a lot of pain. He goes to Georgetown, then Yale law and gets
his JD, but his brother Beau is the golden boy.
4. He has a drug problem like so many others in this country, but he did kick it.
5. After his brother dies, he forms a relationship with his brother's widow. I notice people are avoiding talking about that.
It's totally natural to turn to the other person who is experiencing such grief. I know that when my husband died, his brother was the
one who comforted me more than any other person. He felt the death intensely as did I.
So, feel real good about yourself for making all these negative comments. I hope nothing bad happens in your life.
Oh.. and Hunter Biden is not running for President... again, just a reminder.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
cwydro
(51,308 posts)The Hunter thing is in the news whether we like it or not. People are going to discuss.
Interestingly, youre the the only one to bring up his relationship with Beaus wife.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
OKNancy
(41,832 posts)it's no secret.
I'm discussing too. I put IMO in the subject line.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
cwydro
(51,308 posts)I didnt even know about the Navy drug thing. I guess he just wasnt on my radar.
I feel bad for Joe; his sons misdeeds should have nothing to do with him. But the other side is going to use any dirt they can find.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Skidmore
(37,364 posts)make it an issue.
I'm very serious when I say that any other campaign which helps feed another family of our Democratic leaders into the Republican smear machine will not receive my help. I'm set one with this sort of thing. It's been going on for decades and it needs to stop.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Demsrule86
(68,217 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)What woman is responsible for her husband cheating on her?
But that is what Trump does, he has no moral core, so any weakness is cause for an attack, even if Trump is guilty of worse, and the object of his attacks totally blameless.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
still_one
(91,807 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Demsrule86
(68,217 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
SCVDem
(5,103 posts)Bully Pulpit!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
bonniebgood
(937 posts)never come up. But No, the Dems have principles that you should not go after the candidate children,
Republicans have NO problem with that. Hunter Biden Does not work in the Government Ivanka does.
WEAK PRINCIPLES IMO.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
sellitman
(11,591 posts)Why does Hunter Biden have a different set of Standards attached to him then Trump's children have attached to them?
Am I mad? This is insane.
If Hunter Biden is willing to leave his company position then I would expect Trump's children to do the same.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Nay
(12,051 posts)"It's OK if you are Republican."
It's also why I thought that Biden would be a less-than-stellar candidate -- he doesn't know how to handle Republicans. He should have gotten Hunter out of that gas company WAY BEFORE he announced his candidacy. That he did not do that shows that he just can't see how Republicans (and Trump in particular) work and is unable to anticipate and counter their nonsense.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
ecstatic
(32,532 posts)Biden's inauguration. This move also lent some legitimacy to trump's lies and smears. Bad move.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
still_one
(91,807 posts)Sanders in the primaries, but Warren, at least that is where I would bet
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
OKNancy
(41,832 posts)but assuming she is still in, I'll go for Kamala.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
still_one
(91,807 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Demsrule86
(68,217 posts)folks I know feel the same way.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
still_one
(91,807 posts)wasnt in the primary. Also, Biden isnt going to drop out, and many are ignoring Super Tuesday where at this point in time I think in the blue states votes will be split, and red and purple ones Biden will take the bulk of the delegates, at least this point in time
Many are Judging things by national polls, and that isnt how delegates are chosen. It is state by state
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Demsrule86
(68,217 posts)for all the favorable media she has enjoyed,she is at best tied in national polls which tilt in favor of progressives, but there are more moderate Democrats than progressive Democrats, and I believe Biden will be the nominee...Hunter Biden did well yesterday too...he was on something. Many of us including me have dealt with mental illness and drug addiction in our families...so we understand. Those who try to use this to pump up Warren are going to lose votes. I think she made a big error in not supporting Biden through this...it cemented my opinion not to back her in a primary...sure a general yes but not a primary. I do not believe she will win the electoral college.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
still_one
(91,807 posts)and in my view a lot of the Democratic candidates are making promises that have very little chance in this environment at this time, but they sure make "good sound bites", but very little details are given
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
eleny
(46,166 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden