Joe Biden Has Continued To Race Towards The Far Left To Please Bernie Sanders And Extremist Socialists

The Facts:

JOE BIDEN HAS GONE FROM MODERATE DEMOCRAT TO KOWTOWER TO THE SOCIALIST LEFT AND NOW HAS THE MOST EXTREME PLATFORM OF ANY MAJOR NOMINEE EVER

AFTER WRAPPING UP THE NOMINATION FOR PRESIDENT, BIDEN HAS NOW BEEN CALLED THE MOST PROGRESSIVE NOMINEE IN DEMOCRAT HISTORY

JOE BIDEN HAS GONE FROM MODERATE DEMOCRAT TO KOWTOWER FOR THE SOCIALIST LEFT IN ORDER TO WIN OVER PROGRESSIVE VOTERS

Before The 2020 Campaign, Biden Was Known As An Ideological Centrist And Within The Mainstream Of The Democrat Party

In 2017, Biden Was Described As Having A "Philosophy Of Aisle-Crossing Political Comprise" And Maintaining A Status Of An "Ideological Centrist." "The article describing Mr. Biden's speech to the Economic Club stirred particularly strong criticism of the former vice president among liberal Democrats, who view him as an ideological centrist and distrust his philosophy of aisle-crossing political compromise." ( US News , 11/17/17)

During His Time In Office, Biden's Votes In The Senate Were "Within The Mainstream Of The Democratic Party." "Many of Biden's positions were well within the mainstream of the Democratic Party at the time he took them. But the party is now far more sensitive to discrimination against gays, sexual harassment and racial inequality than when Biden first came to Washington." ( Los Angeles Times , 3/18/19)

Biden's Senate Voting Record "Has Generally Placed Him Among The Center Of Senate Democrats Ideologically." "Joe Biden's voting record has generally placed him among the center of Senate Democrats ideologically in National Journal's annual congressional vote ratings, with some decided peaks and valleys." ( National Journal , 8/23/08)

In The 1990s, Biden Was One Of The More Conservative Democratic Senators. "Biden has been more of a centrist. Four times from 1993 to 1998 his composite liberal score fell to the 60s--most notably in 1997, when only three of the 45 Democratic senators had a more conservative rating. More recently, Biden has generally fit near the center of Senate Democrats." ( National Journal , 8/23/08)

On The Campaign Trial, Biden Rushed To Roll Out Socialist Policies In Order To Please Members Of The Progressive Left

Politico: "Leftward ho! Biden Pivots To Progressives" ( Politico , 04/09/20)

Prior To Officially Announcing His 2020 Campaign, Biden Claimed That He Would Be "The Most Progressive Of Any Democrat Running Or Considering A Run For The Presidency." "Former Vice President Joe Biden hinted at a 2020 presidential campaign, telling an audience that he views himself to be the most progressive of any Democrat running or considering a run for the presidency." ( The Hill , 3/16/19)

On The Campaign Trail, Biden Has Announced Policies Designed To Appeal To The Progressive Left Party With Plans To "Lower The Eligibility Age For Medicare To 60 And To Expand Student Debt Forgiveness Programs For Low-Income And Middle-Class Families." "Joseph R. Biden Jr. took some of his first steps to bring together the Democratic Party now that he is its presumptive presidential nominee, announcing proposals on Thursday to lower the eligibility age for Medicare to 60 and to expand student debt forgiveness programs for low-income and middle-class families." ( The New York Times , 4/9/20)

The New York Times : The Proposals Are An "Explicit Effort To Appeal To The Progressive Wing Of The Party Led By Senator Bernie Sanders Of Vermont." "The proposals are part of an explicit effort to appeal to the progressive wing of the party led by Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who dropped out of the race on Wednesday." ( The New York Times , 4/9/20)

According To Biden, "Senator Sanders And His Supporters Can Take Pride In Their Work In Laying The Groundwork For These Ideas." "'Senator Sanders and his supporters can take pride in their work in laying the groundwork for these ideas,' Mr. Biden, the former vice president, said in a statement announcing the package." ( The New York Times , 4/9/20)

Biden's Latest Proposal To Build Out His "Progressive Vision" For America Is "Lowering The Medicare Eligibility Age To 60, And The Second Is Forgiving Student Debt." "So, as the next step in building on the progressive vision for the country that I have laid out across the course of my campaign, today I'm announcing my intention to fight for two new policies that I believe will not only help people right now when they may need the help most, but will also help people find more secure footing in the long term once we have emerged from this crisis. The first is lowering the Medicare eligibility age to 60, and the second is forgiving student debt for low-income and middle class people who have attended public colleges and universities." ( Medium , 4/9/20)

On April 9, 2020, Biden Directed His Team To "Develop A Plan To Lower The Medicare Eligibility Age To 60." "I have directed my team to develop a plan to lower the Medicare eligibility age to 60." ( Medium , 4/9/20)

According To Biden, His Plan Would Give Americans Access To Medicare "When They Turn 60, Instead Of When They Turn 65." "Under this concept, Americans would have access, if they choose, to Medicare when they turn 60, instead of when they turn 65. Medicare benefits would be provided to them as they are to current Medicare recipients. This would make Medicare available to a set of Americans who work hard and retire before they turn 65, or who would prefer to leave their employer plans, the public option, or other plans they access through the Affordable Care Act before they retire. It reflects the reality that, even after the current crisis ends, older Americans are likely to find it difficult to secure jobs." ( Medium , 4/9/20)

Biden Claims That Any New Federal Costs From The Program Expansion Would Come Out Of "General Revenues To Protect The Medicare Trust Fund." "Any new Federal cost associated with this option would be financed out of general revenues to protect the Medicare Trust Fund." ( Medium , 4/9/20)

Biden's Medicare Proposal Builds On His Existing Plans To "Expand Government-Subsidized Health Insurance Coverage." "The Medicare at 60 proposal builds on Biden's existing plans to expand government-subsidized health insurance coverage. He has already said he would keep the private system including privately-administered Medicare Advantage plans sold by an array of companies including Anthem, Cigna, Humana, UnitedHealth Group and the Aetna unit of CVS Health." ( Forbes , 4/12/20)

In April 2020, Following Bernie Sanders' Endorsement, Joe Biden Responded That He Needed Sanders To Help Govern And Established A Task Force Of Biden And Sanders' Staffers That Would Work On Issues Central To Sanders' Socialist Supporters

On April 13, 2020, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) Endorsed Joe Biden Saying "We Need [Biden] In The White House" And That He Would Do All That He Could "To See That That Happens." Senator Bernie Sanders endorsed Joseph R. Biden Jr. as the Democratic nominee for president on Monday…In a surprise joint appearance over live-streamed video, the two men revealed a rapprochement forged amid extraordinary circumstances just five days after Mr. Sanders withdrew, a sign of how profoundly the coronavirus pandemic has changed the race. The uncertainty caused by the virus, the vast damage to the American economy and the fervent desire to deprive Mr. Trump of a second term prompted an earlier-than-expected alliance between two ideological rivals, aimed at bringing together disparate factions of the party. 'We need you in the White House,' Mr. Sanders said to Mr. Biden. 'And I will do all that I can to see that that happens.'" ( The New York Times , 04/16/20)

Sanders Is A Self-Avowed Socialist Who Has Publicly Proclaimed "I Am A Socialist." SANDERS: "I am a socialist. There are in our country probably a dozen different socialist parties. None of them have terribly much influence. I happen not to be a member of any. My goal is to see that we start a third party in this country which represents as I indicated a more wide spectrum of people. But I am not a member of the party." ( CSPAN Live , 2/3/89)

SANDERS: "I am a socialist. There are in our country probably a dozen different socialist parties. None of them have terribly much influence. I happen not to be a member of any. My goal is to see that we start a third party in this country which represents as I indicated a more wide spectrum of people. But I am not a member of the party." ( CSPAN Live , 2/3/89) In June 1989, Sanders Said "In Vermont, Everybody Knows That I Am A Socialist." "In a speech he gave at the National Committee for Independent Political Action in New York City on June 22, 1989, reprinted in the December 1989 issue of the socialist publication Monthly Review: 'In Vermont, everybody knows that I am a socialist and that many people in our movement, not all, are socialists.'" ( Politico , 7/17/15)

"In a speech he gave at the National Committee for Independent Political Action in New York City on June 22, 1989, reprinted in the December 1989 issue of the socialist publication Monthly Review: 'In Vermont, everybody knows that I am a socialist and that many people in our movement, not all, are socialists.'" ( Politico , 7/17/15) Sanders When Asked If He Considers Himself A Capitalist: "No, I Don't." CNN's ANDERSON COOPER: "You don't consider yourself a capitalist, though?" SEN. BERNIE SANDERS: "Do I consider myself part of the casino capitalist process by which so few have so much and so many have so little, by which Wall Street's greed and recklessness wrecked this economy? No, I don't. I believe in a society where all people do well, not just a handful of billionaires." (CNN's Democrat Primary Debate, 10/13/15)

Biden Responded To Sanders By Saying "I'm Going To Need You…Not Just To Win The Campaign, But To Govern." "Mr. Biden said: 'I'm going to need you. Not just to win the campaign, but to govern.'" ( The New York Times , 04/16/20)

Biden: "Your Endorsement Means A Great Deal To Me…People Are Going To Be Surprised…We're Awfully Close On A Whole Bunch Of [Issues]." "I think that your endorsement means a great deal," Biden said. "It means a great deal to me. I think people are going to be surprised that we are apart on some issues but we're awfully close on a whole bunch of others. I'm going to need you -- not just to win the campaign, but to govern." ( The New York Times , 04/16/20)

On April 13, 2020, It Was Reported Joe Biden And Bernie Sanders Would Form Six Policy Working Groups Addressing Issues Central To Sanders' Campaign . "Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders will form six 'policy working groups' addressing six issues that were central to the Vermont senator's campaign, which he suspended last week." ( The Independent , 04/13/20)

Biden Announced That The Groups Would Focus On Healthcare, Education, The Economy, Criminal Justice, Immigration And Climate Change. "The former vice president announced that the groups - focusing on healthcare, education, the economy, criminal justice, immigration and climate change - will be 'made up of thoughtful leaders who have worked with Bernie and some who have supported me as well' to determine a potential Biden administration agenda." ( The Independent , 04/13/20)

On The Campaign Trail, Biden Has Embraced Radical Socialist Proposals Including Health Care For Undocumented Immigrants, The Green New Deal, And Sanctuary Cities

In June 2019, During A Democratic Debate, Biden Raised His Hand When Asked Directly If His Health Care Plan Would Cover Undocumented Immigrants. (NBC News' Democratic Debate , 6/27/19)

Biden Stated "You Cannot Let, As The Mayor Said, You Cannot Let People Who Are Sick, No Matter Where They Come From, No Matter What Their Status, Go Uncovered." GUTHRIE: "Vice President Biden, I believe you said that your health care plan would not cover undocumented immigrants. Could you explain your position?" BIDEN: "I'm sorry, I beg your pardon?" GUTHRIE: "I believe at the show of hands you did not raise your hand. Did you raise your hand?" BIDEN: "No, I did." GUTHRIE: "OK. Sorry, sorry. So you said that they would be covered under your plan, which is different than Obamacare." BIDEN: "Yes. But here's the thing..." GUTHRIE: "Can you explain that change?" BIDEN: "Yes. You cannot let, as the mayor said, you cannot let people who are sick, no matter where they come from, no matter what their status, go uncovered. You can't do that. It's just going to be taken care of, period. You have to. It's the humane thing to do. But here's the deal, the deal is that he's right about three things. Number one, they in fact contribute to the well-being of the country but they also, for example, they've increased the lifespan of Social Security because they have a job, they're paying a Social Security tax. That's what they're doing. It has increased the lifespan. They would do the same thing in terms of reducing the overall cost of health care by them being able to be treated and not wait until they are in extremis. The other thing is, folks, look, we can deal with these insurance companies. We can deal with the insurance companies by, number one, putting insurance executives in jail for their misleading advertising, what they're doing on opioids, what they're doing paying doctors to prescribe. We could be doing this by making sure everyone who is on Medicare that the government should be able to negotiate the price for whatever the drug costs are. We can do this by making sure that we're in a position that we in fact allow people. Time's up?" (NBC News' Democratic Debate, 6/27/19)

Since Releasing His Own Climate Plan, Biden Has Embraced "The Framework Of The Green New Deal." "Joe Biden is embracing the framework of the Green New Deal in his bid for the White House, calling on the United States to eliminate climate-warming emissions by no later than the middle of the century while creating millions of new jobs and rallying the rest of the world to forestall dangerous rising temperatures." ( Washington Post , 06/04/19)

The Green New Deal Will Cost $93 Trillion, According To A Study Co-Authored By Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Former Director Of The Congressional Budget Office. ( American Action Forum , 2/25/19)

( American Action Forum , 2/25/19) The Congressional Budget Office Said That The Green New Deal Would Cost Approximately $600,000 Per Household. "The sweeping "Green New Deal" proposed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., could cost as much as $93 trillion, or approximately $600,000 per household, according to a new study co-authored by the former director of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office." ( Fox News , 2/25/19)

On October 16, 2007, Biden Voted Yea On The Motion To Kill An Amendment That Would "Prohibit The Use Of Community Oriented Policing Services Funds In The Bill For Jurisdictions That Prohibit Local Law Enforcement From Cooperating With Federal Agencies Looking For Illegal Immigrants." "Mikulski, D-Md., motion to table (kill) the Vitter, R-La., amendment no. 3277 that would prohibit the use of Community Oriented Policing Services funds in the bill for jurisdictions that prohibit local law enforcement from cooperating with federal agencies looking for illegal immigrants." (H.R. 3092, CQ Vote #370 : Passed 52-42: R 6-41; D 44-1; I 2-0, 10/16/07, Biden Voted Yea)

The Biden Campaign Came Out In Opposition To President Trump's "Crackdown" On Sanctuary Cities, Saying That Biden "Believes That The Trump Administration's Approach To Immigration, Including Its Crackdown On Sanctuary Cities And Especially Its Repugnant Treatment Of Migrant Children, Is Contrary To Our Values As A Nation." "Earlier this year, the Biden campaign released a statement saying that the former vice president opposes Trump's "crackdown" on sanctuary cities, including the efforts to starve the municipalities of federal funding. '[Biden] believes that the Trump Administration's approach to immigration, including its crackdown on sanctuary cities and especially its repugnant treatment of migrant children, is contrary to our values as a nation,' said spokesman Andrew Bates." ( The Hill , 8/8/19)

"Earlier this year, the Biden campaign released a statement saying that the former vice president opposes Trump's "crackdown" on sanctuary cities, including the efforts to starve the municipalities of federal funding. '[Biden] believes that the Trump Administration's approach to immigration, including its crackdown on sanctuary cities and especially its repugnant treatment of migrant children, is contrary to our values as a nation,' said spokesman Andrew Bates." ( The Hill , 8/8/19) When Asked If Illegal Immigrants Detained By Local Law Enforcement Should Be Turned Over To ICE, Biden Said "No." ILIA CALDERÓN: "Vice President Biden, you opposed sanctuary cities as a Presidential candidate in 2007, where do you stand now? Should undocumented immigrants arrested by local police be turned over to immigration officials?" BIDEN: "No." (Joe Biden, Remarks At A CNN Democratic Presidential Debate , Washington, DC, 3/15/20)

In His Immigration Plan, Biden Plans To End The Practice Of Long-Term Detention Of Illegal Immigrants, Separating Families While Detained, And The Conducting Of Raids To Arrest Illegal Immigrants In The United States. "Biden promises to end President Donald Trump's practices of keeping immigrants in detention long-term, separating families and conducting large-scale immigration raids that aim to arrest unauthorized immigrants already living and working in the US - proposals in line with those from the rest of the Democratic field." ( Vox , 12/12/19)

Biden Would Also End The "Public Charge" Rule, End The Travel Ban From Countries Deemed To Be A Risk To National Security, And End Restrictions On Asylum Including The Migrant Protection Protocols, Which Has Kept Migrants In Mexico While They Wait For Their Court Hearings. "He also vows to end a slew of Trump's toughest anti-immigrant policies: the "public charge" rule making it more difficult for low-income immigrants to enter and settle in the US; his travel ban on individuals from seven countries he deems to be national security threats; and restrictions on asylum including the Migrant Protection Protocols, under which Trump has sent tens of thousands of migrants back to Mexico to wait for their court hearings in the US." ( Vox , 12/12/19)

After Wrapping Up The Nomination For President, Biden Has Now Been Called The Most Progressive Nominee In Democrat History

With Bernie Sander's Decision To Suspend His Campaign On April 8, 2020, Former Vice President Joe Biden Effectively Clinched The Democrat Party Nomination For President. "The presidential contest this year is going to be unpredictable, perhaps the most unpredictable in modern times, and Donald Trump is poised to be a formidable Republican opponent. But the decision by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders on Wednesday to suspend his campaign, and with warm words for Joe Biden, means the Democratic Party has united behind a nominee earlier than in any open contest in nearly two decades." ( USA Today , 04/08/2020)

Former President Barack Obama: "Joe Already Has What Is The Most Progressive Platform Any Major-Party Nominee In History." "It is one of the reasons that Joe already has what is the most progressive platform of any major-party nominee in history. Because even before the pandemic turned the world upside down, it was already clear that we needed real structural change. The vast inequalities created by the new economy are easier to see now, but they existed long before this pandemic hit." ( PolitiFact , 04/17/20)

The Washington Post Headline: "Take Heart, Progressives: When The Party Moves Left, Biden Has Always Followed . ( The Washington Post , 04/28/20)

"The Former Vice President Has Moved Left On Everything From Same-Sex Marriage To Criminal Justice To Abortion Rights." "The former vice president has moved left on everything from same-sex marriage to criminal justice to abortion rights." ( The Washington Post , 04/28/20)

"The former vice president has moved left on everything from same-sex marriage to criminal justice to abortion rights." ( The Washington Post , 04/28/20) "Biden's Career Is Defined By…Starting From A More Moderate Or Conservative Position On An Issue And Evolving Over Time With The Party Toward A Progressive Stance ." "Biden's career is defined by this trajectory: starting from a more moderate or conservative position on an issue and evolving over time with the party toward a progressive stance, often leading on it." ( The Washington Post , 04/28/20)

The Washington Post's Charlotte Clymer: "Progressives Can Take Heart Knowing That He Is A Candidate Who Is Eager To Move Toward Us." "Progressives can take heart knowing that he is a candidate who is eager to move toward us." ( The Washington Post , 04/28/20)

Vox: Biden Will Be Running "On The Most Progressive Platform Of Ay Democratic Nominee In History." " As a result, if Biden or Buttigieg actually win the nomination, they will be running on the most progressive platform of any Democratic nominee in history." ( Vox , 12/20/19)

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