After Joe Biden Clinched The Nomination For President, His Former Opponents Have Gone From Saying He Is Out Of Touch To Endorsing Him For President

The Facts:

AFTER WINNING THE SOUTH CAROLINA PRIMARY, NEARLY ALL OF JOE BIDEN'S FORMER DEMOCRAT RIVALS HAVE FALLEN IN LINE AND ENDORSED HIM DESPITE MONTHS OF CRITICIZING HIS POLICIES

Former Vice President Joe Biden has effectively clinched the Democrat party nomination for President and has received endorsements from his former campaign rivals Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Cory Booker, Kamala Harris and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg.

On the campaign trail, Senator Bernie Sanders repeatedly criticized Biden: Sanders attacked Biden's record of support for the Iraq invasion. Sanders said Biden supported trade policies which cost the U.S. over 4 million jobs. Sanders attacked Biden for his support of trade relationships with China.

In the past, Senator Kamala Harris repeatedly attacked Biden: Harris said Biden's criminal justice policies contributed to mass incarceration . Harris highlighted that Biden worked with segregationists on busing. Harris said Biden supported the status quo concerning health care.

Just months ago, Senator Elizabeth Warren criticized Biden's policies: Warren accused Biden of wanting Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to be reelected. Warren also said that Biden was not, despite his claims, instrumental in the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

On the campaign trail, Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg repeatedly criticized Biden: Buttigieg said Biden's support for the 1994 Crime Bill did " so much harm ." Buttigieg said Biden supported the worst foreign policy decision in his lifetime with the invasion of Iraq. Buttigieg said Biden had the same Washington Mindset at a time when we need to bring new voices to D.C.

Senator Cory Booker also raised concerns about Biden on the campaign trail: Booker doubted Biden's ability to win the Presidency without "fumbling." Booker said that Biden's support for the 1994 crime bill was a " stunning mistake ," that provided jet fuel for mass incarceration in the U.S.



AFTER FORMER VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN WRAPPED UP THE DEMOCRAT NOMINATION, OTHER DEMOCRAT CANDIDATES QUICKLY FELL INTO LINE BEHIND BIDEN DESPITE THEIR PREVIOUS CAMPAIN TRAIL CRITICISM

Following Bernie Sanders' Decision To Suspend His Campaign, Joe Biden Quickly Wrapped Up Endorsements From His Rival Democrat Contenders For President

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)

Biden Has Received Endorsements From His Former Democrat Primary Opponents Sens. Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Cory Booker And Former Mayor Of South Bend Pete Buttigieg. ( FiveThirtyEight , Accessed 04/23/20)

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) Was Highly Critical Of Former Vice President Biden's Record On Everything From His Support Of The Iraq War To His Trade Policies, His Relationship With Wall Street, And His Views On Campaign Finance

In May 2019, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) Criticized Biden's Record On Iraq, Trade, And Regulating Wall Street. SANDERS: "Well, look, Joe is a good friend of mine and I'm not here to attack Joe. Joe voted for the war in Iraq, I led the effort against it. Joe voted for NAFTA and permanent normal trade relations, trade agreements with China, I led the effort against that. Joe voted for the deregulation of Wall Street, I voted against that. You know, I think if you look at Joe's record and you look at my record, I don't think there's much question about who's more progressive." (ABC's Good Morning America, 5/5/19)

In A September 2019 Debate, Sanders Criticized Biden's Record On Trade Saying Biden Supported Disastrous Trade Policies Which Cost The Country Over 4 Million Good Paying Jobs. SANDERS: "Well, there is a reason - there is a reason why, in the last 45 years, the average American today, despite an explosion of technology and worker productivity, is not making a penny more than he or she made 45 years ago. And one of the reasons is that, for decades, we have had disastrous trade policies. I got to say to my good friend, Joe Biden, Joe and I strongly disagree on trade. I helped lead the opposition to NAFTA and PNTR, which cost this country over 4 million good-paying jobs. And what happened is people who had those jobs ended up getting other jobs making 50 percent of what they made in manufacturing." (ABC News' Democrat Presidential Candidates Debate, 9/12/19)

In October 2019, Sanders Criticized Biden For Supporting The War In Iraq, NAFTA, Normalized Trade Relations With China, And The Bankruptcy Bill. SANDERS: "Of course I'll be critical of Joe when I disagree with him. I disagree with Joe when he supported the war in Iraq. I opposed the war in Iraq. Joe supported these terrible trade agreements - NAFTA and normalized trade relations with China. I disagreed with him - strongly opposed those agreements. Joe supported the bankruptcy bill. I thought that was a terrible bill. Joe disagrees with me on health care. Let the American people decide who is right on the issues." (Bernie Sanders, Remarks At Campaign Event, Newton, IA, 10/25/19)

In January 2020, Sanders Criticized Biden's Record On Social Security Saying Biden Was Open To Cuts To The Program. SANDERS: "We`re not going to make personal attacks on-- on Joe Biden but I think the records shows that Joe`s history in-- in the Senate and my history in Congress are very different." ED O`KEEFE: "Biden as a senator was open to cuts the Social Security to help balance the budget but is now calling to expand the program. Today, most of the candidates will end up in Iowa and what organizers call the Brown and Black Forum, an event held every four years before the caucuses to discuss issues of concern to black and Latino voters who make up." (CBS's This Morning, 1/20/20)

Sanders: "Time And Time Again, Joe Biden Has Been Clear In Supporting Cuts To Social Security." ED O`KEEFE: "He`s also got a lead among seniors despite recent accusations from Sanders that Biden wants to make cuts to Social Security." SANDERS: "Time and time again, Joe Biden has been clear in supporting cuts to Social Security." (CBS's Evening News, 1/20/20)

Senator Kamala Harris Has Criticized Biden Saying His Criminal Justice Policies Contributed To Mass Incarceration, That He Worked With Segregationists On Busing, And That He Was Supporting The Status Quo Concerning Health Care

During A May 2019 Campaign Stop In New Hampshire, Senator Kamala Harris Said The 1994 Crime Bill Which Biden Has Continually Touted "Contributed To 'Mass Incarceration In Our Country,' Established The 'Federal Three Strikes Law,' And 'Funded The Building Of More Prisons.'" "Harris criticized the crime bill during a stop in New Hampshire as a way of criticizing former vice president Joe Biden. Harris said the bill contributed to 'mass incarceration in our country,' established the 'federal three strikes law,' and 'funded the building of more prisons in the states.'" ( The Washington Free Beacon , 5/16/19)

When Asked About Biden's Claim That The 1994 Crime Bill Did Not Create Mass Incarceration, Harris Said, "I Disagree With Him." "Biden defended the bill against critics who say it led to mass incarceration, saying the country's prison population is largely made up of state prisoners. 'Folks, let's get something straight: Ninety-two out of every 100 prisoners behind bars are in a state prison, not a federal prison,' he said. 'This idea that the crime bill created mass incarceration-it did not create mass incarceration.' Asked about Biden's defense of the bill, Harris took the opposite stance. 'I have a great deal of respect for Vice President Joe Biden, but I disagree with him,' Harris said. 'That crime bill-that 1994 crime bill-it did contribute to mass incarceration in our country. It encouraged and was the first time that we had a federal three strikes law. It funded the building of more prisons in the states. So, I disagree, sadly.'" ( The Washington Free Beacon , 5/16/19)

In A June 2019 Debate, Harris Criticized Biden's Record On Busing. HARRIS: "I'm going to now direct this at Vice President Biden, I do not believe you are a racist, and I agree with you when you commit yourself to the importance of finding common ground. But I also believe, and it's personal -- and I was actually very -- it was hurtful to hear you talk about the reputations of two United States senators who built their reputations and career on the segregation of race in this country. And it was not only that, but you also worked with them to oppose busing. And, you know, there was a little girl in California who was part of the second class to integrate her public schools, and she was bussed to school every day. And that little girl was me. So I will tell you that, on this subject, it cannot be an intellectual debate among Democrats. We have to take it seriously. We have to act swiftly. As attorney general of California, I was very proud to put in place a requirement that all my special agents would wear body cameras and keep those cameras on." (NBC News' Democrat Presidential Candidates Debate, 6/27/19)

In A July 2019 Debate, Harris Criticized Biden For Working With Segregationists On Busing. HARRIS: "When Vice President Biden was in the United States Senate, working with segregationists to oppose busing, which was the vehicle by which we would integrate America's public schools, had I been in the United States Senate at that time, I would have been completely on the other side of the aisle. And let's be clear about this. Had those segregationists their way, I would not be a member of the United States Senate, Cory Booker would not be a member of the United States Senate, and Barack Obama would not have been in the position to nominate him to the title he now holds. And so, on that issue, we could not be more apart, which is that the vice president has still failed to acknowledge that it was wrong to take the position that he took at that time." (CNN's Democrat Presidential Candidates Debate, 7/31/19)

In A July 2019 Debate, Harris Criticized Biden's Health Care Plan, Saying It Will Allow Insurance Companies To Remain The Status Quo. HARRIS: "Senator Biden, your plan will keep and allow insurance companies to remain with status quo, doing business as usual, and that's going to be about jacking up co-pays, jacking up deductibles..." (CNN's Democrat Presidential Candidates Debate, 7/31/19)

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) Has Criticized Biden Saying He Wanted Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell To Be Reelected, And That He Was Not Instrumental, Despite His Claims, In The Creation Of The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

In A February 2020 Debate, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) Criticized Biden For Wanting Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) To Be Reelected When Biden Was Vice President. WARREN: "So, no, the point is different. Here's what happened. According to the New York Times, the last time that Mitch McConnell was on the ballot, the vice president stood in the Oval Office and said, 'I hope that Mitch gets reelected so I can keep working with him.' Well, Mitch did get -- Mitch did get re-elected." BIDEN: "That's totally out of context." WARREN: "He did not have an epiphany. Instead, he blocked nearly everything that Barack Obama tried to pass." BIDEN: "Did you ever win anything?" WARREN: "And he stole a Supreme Court seat from Democrats." BIDEN: "Come on." WARREN: "The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau." (NBC News' Democrat Presidential Candidates Debate, 02/19/20)

In An October 2019 Debate, Warren Would Not Recognize Biden As Instrumental In The Creation Of The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. WARREN: "So you started this question with how you got something done. You know, following the financial crash of 2008, I had an idea for a consumer agency that would keep giant banks from cheating people. And all of the Washington insiders and strategic geniuses said, don't even try, because you will never get it passed. And sure enough, the big banks fought us. The Republicans fought us. Some of the Democrats fought us. But we got that agency passed into law. It has now forced big banks to return more than $12 billion directly to people they cheated. I served in the Obama administration. I know what we can do by executive authority, and I will use it. In Congress, on the first day, I will pass my anti-corruption bill, which will beat back the influence of money..." COOPER: "Thank you, Senator." WARREN: "... and repeal the filibuster. And the third, we want to get something done in America, we have to get out there and fight..." COOPER: "Thank you, Senator." WARREN: "... for the things that touch people's lives." COOPER: "Mayor..." BIDEN: "I agree. Let me -- she referenced me. I agreed with the great job she did, and I went on the floor and got you votes. I got votes for that bill. I convinced people to vote for it. So let's get those things straight, too." COOPER: "Senator Warren, do you want to respond?" WARREN: "I am deeply grateful to President Obama, who fought so hard to make sure that agency was passed into law, and I am deeply grateful to every single person who fought for it and who helped pass it into law. But understand..." BIDEN: "You did a hell of a job in your job." WARREN: "Thank you." (CNN's Democrat Presidential Candidates Debate, 10/15/19)

Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg Has Criticized Biden Saying His Support For The 1994 Crime Bill Saying Did "So Much Harm," That Biden Supported The Worst Foreign Policy Decision In His Lifetime With The Invasion Of Iraq, And That Biden Had The Same Washington Mindset

Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg: "I Think The Incarceration Did So Much Harm That I Would Think That Even Those Who Were Behind The '94 Crime Bill - Or At Least Many Of Them - Would Do It Differently If They Had A Chance To Do It Again." ( ABC News , 5/29/19)

Buttigieg: "[Biden] Supported The Worst Foreign Policy Decision Made By The United States In My Lifetime, Which Was The Decision To Invade Iraq." BUTTIGIEG: "Well, I certainly respect the Vice President, but this is an example of why years in Washington is not always the same thing as judgment. He supported the worst foreign policy decision made by the United States in my lifetime, which was the decision to invade Iraq." (CNN's The Situation Room, 12/30/19)

In A February 2020 Debate, Buttigieg Criticized Biden's Vote For The Second Iraq War. BUTTIGIEG: "I believe that I have the judgment to help us get through these situations where obviously the vice president made the wrong decision when it came to such an important moment in our foreign policy. And looking forward, we got to recognize just how much is going to be on the plate of the next president that is different in kind from what we have faced before. It's not just about dealing with the aftermath of the war in Iraq, it's about preventing a war with Iran. And not only do we have to undertake the military and counter terrorism activities that we've been doing throughout, the next president is going to have to restore the credibility of this country among our allies and among the international community." (ABC News ' Democrat Presidential Candidates Debate, 2/7/20)

In December 2019, Buttigieg Said He "Would Not Have Wanted To See" His Son Serving On The Board Of A Foreign Country If He Were President. "Pete Buttigieg says he 'would not have wanted to see' his son serving on the board of a Ukrainian natural gas company while he was leading anti-corruption efforts in the country, an implicit criticism of the controversy that has ensnared his 2020 Democratic presidential rival Joe Biden. Hunter Biden's position on the board of the company Burisma has been a rallying point for Republicans as they try to defend President Donald Trump against impeachment charges over Trump asking Ukraine's new president to investigate the former vice president and his son while also withholding crucial U.S. military aid. Buttigieg, the childless mayor of South Bend, Indiana, said in an Associated Press interview Monday that his administration would 'do everything we can to prevent even the appearance of a conflict. That's very important because as we see it can create a lot of complications even when there is no wrongdoing.' Still, he insisted that the issues raised about Hunter Biden and his father by Trump and his defenders are a diversionary tactic. 'So, I would not have wanted to see that happen,' Buttigieg said when asked how he would have handled a situation like Biden's. 'And at the same time, again, I think this is being used to divert attention from what's really at stake in the impeachment process. There's been no allegation, let alone finding of any kind of wrongdoing.'" ( The Associated Press , 12/31/19)

Buttigieg: "I Would Not Have Wanted To See That Happen." BUTTIGIEG: "So, I would not have wanted to see that happen and at the same time, again, I think this is being used to divert attention from what's really at stake in the impeachment process. There's been no allegation, let alone finding of any kind of wrongdoing." ( The Associated Press , 12/30/19)

Buttigieg: "I've Seen Vice President Biden Making The Case That We Cannot Afford To Take A Risk On Somebody New Right Now. I Believe At A Time Like This The Risk We Cannot Afford To Take Is To Turn To The Same Washington Mindset That Has Brought To Us This Point." (CBS's CBS Evening News, 1/31/20)

In February 2020, Pete Buttigieg Responded To Biden Criticizing His Inexperience By Saying "We Need To Bring New Voices To Washington, D.C." "The Biden campaign, which polls show lags behind in fourth place, released an online video ad Saturday mocking the former South Bend, Ind., mayor's achievements as insubstantial next to his work as vice president, including passing the Affordable Care Act and negotiating the Iran nuclear deal. Meanwhile, the ad notes, Mr. Buttigieg's local achievements include installing colorful lights under park bridges and decorative brick in downtown South Bend. 'We're electing a president. What you've done matters,' the ad says. Speaking to an audience here Sunday afternoon that Mr. Buttigieg's campaign said totaled more than 1,800, the former Indiana mayor alluded to Mr. Biden's attacks against him. 'As some folks would say, what business does a mayor have running for president? You don't have an office in Washington, D.C., you don't have decades of establishment experience, you're not even from one of the biggest cities in the United States,' he said. 'To which I say, that's very much the point. We need to bring new voices to Washington, D.C.'" ( The Wall Street Journal , 2/9/20)

Senator Cory Booker Raised Concerns About Biden's Ability To Win The Presidency Without Fumbling, That Biden's Support For The 1994 Crime Bill Was A "Stunning Mistake" And That Biden Provided Jet Fuel For Mass Incarceration In The U.S.

Senator Cory Booker: "There's A Lot Of People Who Are Concerned About Joe Biden's Ability To Carry The Ball All The Way Across The End Line Without Fumbling." SEN. CORY BOOKER (D-NJ): I think that we are at a tough point right now because there's a lot of people who are concerned about Joe Biden's ability to carry the ball all the way across the end line without fumbling. And I think that Castro had some really legitimate concerns about can he be someone in a long, grueling campaign that he'd get the ball over the line, and he has every right to call that out." (CNN's Right Now, 9/13/19)

Booker: "Joe Biden Is Going To Have To Defend His Record." JONATHAN KARL: "But Biden is somebody who obviously voted for the free trade agreement. He's somebody who voted for the Iraq war. You know well his record on criminal justice issues. Is that the record of a Democratic standard bearer?" BOOKER: "Joe Biden is going to have to defend his record and talk about what he stands for. I plan on focusing on my record. And I'm very proud of that, running through some of our country's toughest problems. I didn't pick an easy way in American politics. Even coming out, when I started working in the nonprofit sector, I went to the toughest neighborhood I could find in Newark, New Jersey and joined with that community. It's a community that I still live in today." (ABC's This Week, 5/12/19)

Booker Said Biden's Support For The 1994 Crime Bill "Was A Stunning Mistake." "U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) said Tuesday that America's 'dysfunctional' criminal justice system is not just a result of outdated drug laws, policing issues, poverty or racial bias-it is all of the above. … 'The biggest crime bill in the history of this country-that sent billions of dollars into the prison system but didn't have the kind of investments in the things that we now know work-diversion programs through reentry programs-was a stunning mistake.'" ( GWToday , 3/11/15)

In June 2019, Booker Called On Biden To Apologize For Touting His Work With Segregationists. SERFATY: "Primary opponent Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey releasing a statement, saying: 'I'm disappointed that he hasn't issued an immediate apology,' adding: 'You don't joke about calling black men boys. He's wrong for using his relationships with Eastland and Talmadge as examples of how to bring our country together.' Sources tell CNN Biden has been warned by advisers not to bring up Eastland, a person close to Biden telling us: 'He needs to use a new, less problematic example.'" BOOKER: "I believe right now, today, we have a historic opportunity to break the silence." SERFATY: "Biden's comments come as Booker and others, including actor Danny Glover, took to Capitol Hill today to talk about reparations for the descendants of slaves, an issue Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell threw cold water on." (CNN's The Lead With Jake Tapper, 6/19/19)

Booker, After Biden Called On Booker To Apologize: "The Vice President Said, I Should Know Better. And This Is What I Know, As A Black Man In America, I Know The Deeply Harmful And Hurtful Usage Of The Word, Boy, And How It Was Used To Dehumanize And Degrade." (Begin Video Clip) BIDEN: "Cory should apologize. He knows better." (End Video Clip) (Begin Video Clip) (Begin Video Clip) BOOKER: "The Vice President said, I should know better. And this is what I know, as a black man in America, I know the deeply harmful and hurtful usage of the word, boy, and how it was used to dehumanize and degrade." (ABC's World News Tonight, 6/20/19)

In June 2019, Booker Called The Biden Crime Bill The "Jet Fuel To Mass Incarceration." BOOKER: "I think that Joe Biden is going to have to talk a lot about his record during this election. And I think it's only right that he talk about everything from his support of the 1994 crime bill, which was one of the -- sort of jet fuel to mass incarceration, all the way to his stance on bussing. And even more than that -- and I think that I said this last week and I think you heard something from Kamala as well last night that it's how we have this discussion." (CNN's New Day, 6/28/19)

In June 2019, Booker Criticized Biden's Record On Busing. BOOKER: "I think that Joe Biden is going to have to talk a lot about his record during this election. And I think it's only right that he talk about everything from his support of the 1994 crime bill, which was one of the -- sort of jet fuel to mass incarceration, all the way to his stance on bussing. And even more than that -- and I think that I said this last week and I think you heard something from Kamala as well last night that it's how we have this discussion." (CNN's New Day, 6/28/19)

In June 2019, Booker Criticized Biden For Using Racially Charged Rhetoric. BOOKER: "Look, I will tell you right now that when he talked about not working across the aisle, we all have to do that -- not working with people you disagree with. I've shown that something in the Senate that I have done to get big bills done. But when you dredge up sort of words like 'Hey, they didn't call me boy, they called me son' and not understand the history and the hurt that that kind of degrading language has." (CNN's New Day, 6/28/19)

In A July 2019 Debate, Booker Criticized Biden's Criminal Justice Record. BOOKER: "Well, my response is that this is a crisis in our country because we have treated issues of race and poverty, mental health and addiction with locking people up and not lifting them up. And... Mr. Vice President has said that, since the 1970s, every major crime bill -- every crime bill, major and minor, has had his name on it. And, Sir, those are your words, not -- not mine. And this is one of those instances where the house was set on fire and you claimed responsibility for those laws. And you can't just now come out with a plan to put out that fire. We have got to have far more bold action on criminal justice reform, like having true..." TAPPER: "Thank you, Senator." BOOKER: "... marijuana justice, which means that we legalize it on a federal level..." TAPPER: "Thank you, Senator Booker." BOOKER: "... and reinvest the profits in communities that have been..." TAPPER: "Thank you, Senator Booker." BOOKER: "... disproportionately targeted by marijuana enforcement." (CNN'a Democrat Presidential Candidates Debate, 7/31/19)

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