Biden is putting his focus where it should be, on what needs to be done when Trump is removed from the White House. Climate change, trade, the economy, jobs, immigration and foreign relations have all suffered under Trump. Yes, even the economy, despite new highs in the stock markets. Democrats can't afford to appear split, even though some difference of opinion is normal and healthy.
2
Biden might be the wrong messenger for the Democrats, but he is saying all the right things. While the rest of the Democratic field spar needlessly over policy, pitting progressives against moderates, only Biden is going after the elephant in the room. Why aren't the others following him? Trump is the national security threat to this nation, incompetent and dangerous, and before any Democratic legislative initiative is to succeed Trump must first be defeated. Our current President must be the target in the upcoming election, and Biden should not be alone in saying so.
21
@Rick Morris
We need someone to beat Trump, but there are several who can do that. Once that is done, we need to fix what Trump has broken. Without someone who can do that effectively and heal this country, beating Trump just won't be enough.
I don't care at all about Biden's so-called "experience" on foreign affairs when that "experience" is comprised of so many wrong choices.
Apologists love to talk about "tough choices". Yes, the world is complex but no credit should be given for getting it dead wrong, no matter how complicated the situation.
Anyone asking the public to excuse his support for the Iraq War can go pound sand.
I will only vote for a candidate that repudiates military interventionism, returns the power of declaring war to Congress by demanding the revocation of the 2002 AUMF, restricts arms sales in general but especially to Saudi Arabia, and advocates cutting the Pentagon budget, among other pro-diplomacy/anti-war measures.
It's not enough to "strengthen our relationships with allies" if those alliances will be used to justify further militarism, like the "coalition of the willing" in Iraq or belligerence towards countries like Iran and North Korea.
17
@Eric W That is the attitude that helped Trump get elected the first time. Choices have consequences and you are accountable for yours. Or perhaps it is more important to you to feel that you are sticking to your perceived principles whether or not Trump gets re-elected.
8
@Eric W
"I will only vote for a candidate that ....." fill in the blank.
If you really mean that, you're a foolish purist who will help Trump get re-elected.
First get rid of Trump, then you can get fussy about your preferences.
12
@Eric W
There is much to admire in a person who has a long record of serving our country, has made mistakes, and goes on to grow and learn from the mistakes.
In my opinion, Biden's current standing on issues is exactly where we need to be heading.
4
Greg and others here are a tough crowd. Joe Biden'e not my first choice, but to characterize him as some kind of ogre is unfair in the extreme. Many of the Dems running have minimal records to scrutinize, and that gives them a bit of a pass. Personally, the over-the-top rhetoric about one or another of the more than 20 running I find offensive, not to mention counterproductive. Why not save it for Trump, someone truly deserving?
27
How completely refreshing to read the words and proposals of a man in language that is adult, coherent, visionary and enlightening, rather than the sophomoric dribble we’ve been forced to ingest from the man-child Trump, who has the intellect of a moth and the vocabulary of a learning-disabled First Grader. Vice President Biden may not be the most perfect person in the world, and he does come with faults, but if we could snap our fingers right now and have him in the White House rather than the trash-talking idiot who lives there now, this country — and the entire world — would be far, far better off.
38
Ok Joe, What Else are you going to do?
Personally I like Money in my Bank Accounts, I like to Eat and Have a Roof over my head, my wife loves to spend my money. I don't spoil my children but they have the best.
I hate to say this Joe but you stood there 8 years beside Obama and you did was hand out EBT Cards, Obama Phones, a Lot of Hope and the Change Obama/Biden Promised was all American had in their pockets. You did nothing Joe but Belch a lot of Worthless Hot Air.
Joe you got History, Your known for your prior deeds.
Trump was a Unknown, No one knew what He would do Being a former Dem running on The Republican Ticket but not really a True Republican. But now we know all about Trump and what he's has done.
Joe I got News for you..... QUIT....Get out and Save Face while you can...!!! You'll go down in Flames, You will suffer the worse Defeat of your life.
Like I said Your known for your Prior Deeds.
We need to nominate the candidate with the best chance of defeating Trump, who will go down in history as one of our worst Presidents ever, if not the worst.
I believe Biden is that person .
7
Sir Darroch called Trump incompetent and inept, so that is not new news. Most of the other members of the diplomatic corps in Washington concur. Clearly, so do, in one way or another, all of the other Democratic candidates. He tells us he has lots of foreign policy experience, implicitly suggesting that the others don't. Why doesn't he tell us what he actually accomplished in the Senate or from the Naval Observatory where he lived eight years?
1
Convene a summit? really? we already have the UN. man this guy is out of touch.
@mons,
Said by someone who may not understand how the big global issues of today get solved.
Hint: not by the US alone.
3
The UN includes authoritarian undemocratic countries. Biden is inviting just democracies.
1
Biden, I don't care how old you are or the mistakes you've made in a lifetime of politics. Your positions in the past are from a very different podium as we see it today. I often wish those that want to squash the 1980s Joe should teleport back in time and take a look. I believe the Joe today, without any hindsight in the tank, would be the first to defend the political landscape for the greater good.
I hate to say that it's not really Joe 2020 that's going to win this one on his merits. But I'll take the Joe that will win because he was part of before Trump. We all talk about going back in time to Obama and how great it was. We can't believe what's happened after he left and Trump arrived.
Joe, I'm voting for you because you are the past. I'm perfectly happy with getting back to normal first and progressive second.
10
A good speech with some good ideas. However, Biden must, must, must have a strong debate later this month. Otherwise the air is going to start leaking out of the balloon. I still think that he is our best got beat Trump and I am not looking for any Lloyd Bentsen Destruction of Dan Quayle moments from Biden in the debates. However, he has to be ready and he has to hit hard.
2
Biden was one of 52 Senators to vote on both Iraq Wars. He was one of 17 to get both votes wrong. Biden graduated at the bottom of a bad law school and a bad college. If I had to choose between Trump and Biden to sort out complicated decisions, it's no contest - Trump. And, I detest Trump.
3
I smell Trump Tweet Storn brewing.
2
The four "IN" of Donald Trump:
Incompetent
Inept
Insensitive and
In office
9
Resident moron is not only dangerously incompetent, he is intentionally and maliciously destructive. He is slowly but surely destroying America's core ideals, institutions and principles.
14
I don't dislike Biden and heaven knows I'd vote for just about anyone other than the charlatan-president in 2020 BUT there's no denying a basic reality: Joe Biden looks and sounds OLD and TIRED. I'll vote for him IF he's the nominee but Harris and Buttigieg are by far the better candidates and offer far greater visions for the future, no doubt about it.
5
“... and to dedicate resources to protect the election system — a nod to the foreign meddling that bedeviled the 2016 presidential election.”
Those resources, if properly applied, are called educational funding. It matters not at all who is promoting disinformation, or from where. The problem, the greatest problem, you have in your country is the rapid devaluation of education sustained in the past three decades or so. Uneducated people, not all, but most, can’t think for themselves. That may be the only thing Trump truly understands, critical thinkers don’t favor him. Or, as he puts it: “I love uneducated people.”
3
Joe Biden can restore our diplomatic credibility from Day 1 in a way other candidates cannot, and the less time wasted the better. It is simply getting very hard to consider any candidate in the primary. I would have loved to see someone like Klobuchar or Bullock get traction, and Castro had an excellent debate, but these candidates have not seen a jump in polling.
At this stage, there are 4 progressives and Biden getting above 2% and polls, and any centrist is probably terrified to start splitting the Biden vote like the nuts, I mean, the valued progressive members of the party, are doing with their vote. With any luck, they status quo will hold and Biden will win the early and Super Tuesday states with about 30% of the vote.
2
To me it feels like fresh air. A critique without lies, insults, intimidation is what I haven't heard from a major political figure for over 2-1/2 years. If other Democrats spoke up during that time, for me, it was to little effect. I hope this is the start for Biden; we need more. Among the other Democratic candidates, there's a false conclusion that ideas rather than criticism are what's needed. Were Trump a candidate who presented ideas, a debate about ideas makes sense. He's a candidate who is about lies, insults and intimidation. Therefore, his character needs to be a major issue of the campaign. That will produce enormous anger from him, attacks on his character have that effect. It will be a measure of Biden as to how he responds.
4
What I would like to hear from some of the candidates is a plan for speaking the truth in public. A pledge to speak truthfully should be part of the oath of office from the president all the way down to small town mayor. Truthful words should be a required part of all media, no more hiding behind "I am an entertainer", or it's my opinion so it doesn't have to be fact checked. I am so tired of Trumps' lies, Republican statements that are deliberate lies and misinformation about health care and taxes etc. and, of course Fox. Can Fox even exist without the lies? Start a campaign requiring truth telling in all public statements!
5
So this is how the 2020 race is shaping up: dangerously incompetent vs. fundamentally incompetent. And they wonder why people vote third party or not at all.
2
Good job, Joe!
4
Whenever I'm reminded of credit card companies, decreasing my credit limit because payment was one day late reaching another creditor - which, increased credit utilization and lowered credit score; both triggering interest rate increase to 29% - even towards past purchases, I always think of Joe Biden.
3
@bmck What's in your wallet, Joe Biden?
Liked what Joe said. If he announces that he's running for just one term , I'll vote for him. If he doesn't, I'm voting for Warren.
2
Biden/Warren is my choice. She’ll be ready when he’s done, whenever that is...
2
We The People have known that long before Tillerson or the UK ambassador described him so accurately. Of course, them brainless deplorables still don't get...too slow.
I am not voting for open borders democrats.
1
Democrats aren’t in favor of open borders.
But thanks for watching Fox News.
4
Democrats believe in enforcing our laws against illegal immigration. Asylum seekers are require a review. No Democrat supports repealing our immigration laws.
1
True, they dont say "open borders" BUT they seem to want to make it only a civil penalty for crossing. So no detention. They object to having those ordered deported to be deported....They propose that once illegal immigrants make it here, they shouldn't be deported unless they commit a crime in a non sanctuary city....That's pretty much open borders for those that aren't detained at the border...By making it only a civil penalty to cross, combined with not wanting to deport, they are advocating for Open Borders.
1
Make America Proud Again . MAPA
2
Thanks to Trump's hostile attitude toward our long term allies while fawning over the world's dictators as he wants to rule America as one. Falling apart over a critique from the UK envoy who was doing his job an opinion most of allied diplomats agree with. Trump seems to feel that America is one of his Trump properties and that he is America and his family has the right to loot all they can and if folks want to bribe him at his properties that is fine with him. Qatar bailed out Kushner with a billion $ and Saudi Arabia buys his condos and stays at hsi properties affecting our foreign policy as Trump sees America and himself as one in the same.
4
What a refreshing change. A rational foreign policy based upon experience and carefully considered approaches and consistency and respect for America’s traditional allies. Trump’s incessant personal insults of America’s friends and his persistent indulgence and praise of America’s enemies is tiresome and more importantly dangerous.
11
I’m still not convinced that Biden is the best candidate. I am, however, convinced Trump is the worst President ever.
23
I agree, but who else is there? I think our political system is broken. Money talks, some good canditates have no chance to participate in the system.
So Biden, one of the few Dem candidates who accepts huge corporate donations to his PAC, is going to put "strengthening democracy" on his first year agenda.
Hypocrisy is the norm in presidential politics.
2
Maybe we can ask Trump to resign.
Trump incompetent? That's the first I hear of this! Who knew!?
1
Wait a minute.
Didn't Biden vote for the war in Iraq?
Didn't Trump say he was against the war in Iraq?
Didn't Trump say he would not get us in to any more useless, immoral wars?
Trump may be uniformed on a lot of topics. He may be alienating towards our allies. But I think he instinctively knows not to get us into any stupid wars.
Anybody who voted for the war in Iraq has no business saying he knows anything about foreign policy.
1
@William. Remember which party fought for and lied about WMDs to get us into the war with Iraq in the first place
8
@Scott
What difference does that make?
Information was available. The war in Iraq was the single most protested war in the history of the world.
Saying that so and so was for it or that the republicans lied is a cop out. It is YOUR responsibility as an elected official to educate yourself and use sound judgement. Biden failed the test spectacularly.
Colin Powell presented evidence of the Iraqi threat at the UN. The vote for war was based on false evidence.
Since the British Ambassador came out and said the same thing about him already, hearing Biden say it now means nothing.
3
@BTO
Except that the British Ambassador isn't running for President.
So yes, it makes a difference.
6
We can say the same about Biden.
The pot calling the pan black.
2
@AutumnLeaf
How so?
1
I'm afraid Joe Biden's foreign policies are long on rhetoric and short on detail. From his summit to his three pillars, both have the same old political talking points that many Americans see right through or just don't care about.
What America needs and cares about are detailed policies on affordable healthcare, housing, and education, the kitchen table topics that gave the Democrats the house in 2018.
Biden seems to keep falling back on past accomplishments and not in tune to the future.
3
This article is covering a speech on foreign policy. Go to Biden's website to see his domestic agenda.
Joe Biden has the moral integrity it takes to be the President of the United States. We have lost the respect of our allies, Trump has empowered our enemies. Trump feeds on people's fears and will be remembered as the worst President in American History. It is amazing to me how this great country has sunk so low so quickly!
20
What he said is manifestly clear, so it’s not really a shocker. I would advise him to stay on message and make it a major point of his campaign.
7
Experience counts, especially recognizing prior bad decisions. The ability to adapt to changing priorities and goals counts more.
Decisions from the past had their own necessities, and much about foreign policy is not, and never will be in public view.
Once the field is narrowed, we voters need an entire debate dedicated to foreign policy and how to undo the trump-pompeo-bolton-bannon-miller debacle.
10
In order to win back control of the federal government, Democrats must (1) present an optimistic vision for the future and (2) offer reasonable plans to realize some of that vision. Democrats also must (3) demonstrate they are stronger than the morally depraved Trump and his craven Republican minions.
At the moment, Elizabeth Warren appears to be the only candidate who satisfies all three of those requirements.
Hopefully, though, Biden, Sanders, Buttigieg, Harris and others will accomplish as much and give Democratic voters such a fine set of alternatives that the deciding consideration can be elect-ability without sacrificing any fundamental liberal or progressive values.
Much will depend upon the leadership of Perez, Pelosi and Schumer. IF they (1) keep the process fair, (2) help centrists and progressives agree upon common values and goals, (3) give the young progressives attention and respect, and (4) confine public disagreements to tactics and strategies rather than values, objectives or personalities, THEN the Democrats will roll over Trump and his corrupt Republican klan like a tidal wave over Mar-a-Lago.
I am confident that Democrats are capable of agreeing upon values and objectives while competing constructively among themselves about strategies and tactics, then solidly uniting behind a shared mission.
Experience, though, warns they will not fulfill their potential. Democrats, please prove me wrong and rescue American democracy from tyranny.
2
@Been There Pelosi can't control AOC and with 20+ candidates leading the way only 16 months to election day - the party appears to be in disarray. And for the record I'm an Independent
1
So Biden wants to get the band back together so they can go and do regime change wars all over the world. Trump has burned all our alliances, so, interestingly, there is less chance of us forming a coalition with countries like Britain and the other NATO countries to go bomb somebody. Just yesterday I read where an admiral was trying to form a coalition of "like-minded states to oppose Iran". Interpretation: We are looking to bomb Iran and start a war and would like to know if anyone wants to join us. Since we won't be able to do it alone, let's hope all our allies take a pass.
As far a North Korea is concerned, Trump has at least opened a dialogue and has established some rapport with Kim, ending provoking war games off their coast and getting bomb tests and missile tests put on hold. It's much further than our Nobel Peace prize former president ever got, being to busy overthrowing Libya and Syria. So yes, Trump does deserve some credit. Personally, I sick and tired of the Democrats constantly pushing regime change wars and being lap dogs to the intelligence agencies and military-industrial complex. Biden sounds like he would love to reassemble that coalition. Let's hope he doesn't get the chance.
5
Biden will have no effect on Trump’s core simply because they do not have good judgment either.
7
A breath of fresh air, a glimmer of hope, and a feeling of confidence even if one is not, yet, a Biden supporter. Trump's theft of America must end!
10
You can read a transcript of the speech in "Obviously" magazine, on stands now. Check out the cooking section where everything Trump involves himself in becomes a recipe for disaster.
5
Well done Joe. Calling a spade a spade. Keep it up. Now, know it is early on - but I suspect a winning Democratic ticket would be Biden/Warren. All the needed components are there. Experience, integrity, pragmatism. Above all, Dump Trump, Ditch Mitch, flip the Senate, bar Barr. Would probably to include the clearly demonstrated adverse effects of Citizens United on our nation.
10
He offered no new plans or ideas on what he would do, other than saying he will nicer than Trump and set up a meeting to talk to other nice people he wants to talk to...No ideas on how to deal with China, N. Korea, or Iran. Nothing mentioned on, when we can get out of Afghanistan, how we deal with Saudi Arabia and the Yemen war...His plan seems to center on being a nice guy and having lots of meetings. No controversy. Very predictable. Very establishment...
3
In my book that makes up for allot, not that my book counts for much. He has my vote. Now if he can just keep his foot away from his mouth.
5
The thing to remember, first and foremost is that Donald Trump has no Foreign Policy -- just a series of likes and dislikes for whichever leader he's talking to, and how far they're willing to go with the games he's always playing.
That's why the U.S. no longer has an independent State Department, a seasoned Diplomat Corps and why we've alienated just about all of our allies.
That's not counting Russia, Saudi Arabia or North Korea.
Mr. Biden is right to bring this up and keep the focus on where we now stand on the world stage.
Besides, it makes a lot more sense than joining the circular firing squad.
25
Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren seem oblivious to one simple yet unavoidable fact. Neither one of them had the guts or the courage to even attempt to defeat Hillary Clinton in 2016. That is all either one of them had to do to be the President today. They just had to do the ONE thing that Trump did to win. Defeat the Anointed One you become the President, in 2016. The second unavoidable fact they both face is that neither one of them gets elected in 2020. They had their chance and took the pass.
4
GregP,
The party and public was caught up with “its her turn” and Hillary was a powerful figure.
Maybe Biden and Warren weren’t ready to run at that time. Biden with his family issues and Warren was still burnishing her credentials.
7
@GregP
So that would rule out all candidates except those in the 2016 primaries.
The logic is mind blowing.
6
@GregP: Biden was dealing with the death of his son at the time and Warren was known only to the citizens of Massachusetts and a few members of the intelligentsia. I'm guessing you're a Bernie-backer...
8
I’ve said all along that Biden would be the best pick for Secretary of State for any Dem President, rather than president
21
@Kate MacKay If not President, then clearly must keep him in the mix -- Secretary of State would be fine. State Dept. morale would take a big uptick.
4
@Kate MacKay: I've said all along that the Democratic ticket in 2008 should have been Biden/Obama and not the other way around. In which case, Mr. Obama would be President today and Donald Trump would be appearing on "Dancing with the Stars."
2
@Kate MacKay
Any Dem nominee won't be president and be in a position to choose Biden as Secretary of State.
That is the point you miss.
I'm a Biden supporter and I'm sure he'd be more than okay with respect to foreign policy (his credulity on the Iraq fiasco notwithstanding). I also don't need any convincing insofar as his commitments to social liberalism are concerned. I do, however, wish he'd some up with some specific proposals on how he'd address the issue of income inequality, much as Sen. Warren has done. The working class, whose support he both needs and values, want to see policies that lift their income and restore their dignity in the face of an economy that continually caters to those of inherited wealth. He needs to remove the burden of paying for the benefits and services that target the poor from the shoulders of the middle class and place it on the backs of the affluent, which is where it belongs. A luxury sales tax would help, along with higher taxes on capital gains, interest income and other forms of accumulated wealth. Racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, etc. are the direct offshoots of the class-envy promoted by rich CEOs and their servants in the White House, the Congress and the right-wing media. It's a winning argument for a moderate left-wing politician and I do wish that Biden would use it.
comment submitted 7/11 at 3:37 PM
28
@stu freeman
Wise up! All the promises you want to hear from presidential candidates are worthless if the Senate remains Republican. Presidents don't impose taxes, Congress does.
What the candidates propose is just debate fodder. As long as they are Democrats, they will have my vote.
2
@stu freeman: Oops; make that "COME up with some specific proposals"
@stu freeman
If Biden is elected POTUS, then I'd be very happy if president-elect Biden nominates Senator Warren to head up the CFPB.
How would you feel about that?
2
I hate to be hyperbolic, but Joe Biden really is Super Man in this comic book-esque real world scenario - he's the only one that can save the free world. And if you don't think Trump is spot on for Lex Luthor in this Bizzaro World than I have a Hall of Justice to sell you in Brooklyn.
16
Thank you Vice President Biden for taking the US back to sanity. Rejoining the Paris accords is smart and the right thing to do. While you are at it, let's also REJOIN THE IRAN DEAL that gave humane treatment to Iran and was working. At Netanyahu's request, trump at his most uninformed and ignorant, unilaterally pulled the US out. Now we have the threat of war with Iran because of this stupid decision. The world will be a better place when trump is GONE!
60
@W
The Iran deal was a good deal for both sides The allies delayed /deferred Irans ambition to join the nuclear club with international inspectors verifying Irans compliance. Iran got access to its own money plus trade. US sanctions prevent Iran trading enriched material thus breaching the deal by default. If JB can resurrect the deal.we're all winners.
EW seems a good bet from this side of the pond but whoever challenges Trump will need to play dirty. JB would be up to that task.
7
Biden was right to support the Iraq War. Saddam was about to restart his nuclear weapons program, and if we had not gone to war in a few years he would have had them. The head of his uranium enrichment said so (Bombs in the Garden).
3
@Jonathan Katz
Democrats did not support the Iraq war. They were willing to support and give the benefit of the doubt to the president when he said we had to go to war. Big difference and not something that will happen again for a long time.
1
This reminds me of the foreign policy speech Hilary gave during the 2016 campaign - every opinion I read on that speech was positive and the contrast to Trump's ignorance on foreign policy was as clear as day light. However, that speech did nothing to take supporters away from Trump. So far, I have not heard any words that would convert a Trump supporter to the Biden side.
26
@Jean Kolodner Right now cost of medications and of health insurance a major concern. Medicare OK, supplemental plans appear to be over-priced.
If he would take a hard line on China on trade, come up with a plan to get out of Afghanistan, agree to keep pressure on Iran and N. Korea, pledge to not intervene militarily without an act of war, and begin pulling some of the 320,000 troops I pay for to defend Europe, I might vote for him.
1
@Jean Kolodner: The only words that would sway a Trump supporter would be "kill the illegals." He's already cornered the market on hate, fear and resentment.
9
Well at least he's addressing foreign policy! Then again who will listen? It's an issue to voters when there's war. Most voters are focused on the civil war waging at home.
9
While this foreign policy position is quite encouraging, we still need to be concerned about his domestic allies – giant corporate interests that seek to maintain their economic hegemony in our lives. His big money supporters are probably banking on his administration being a continuation of their get-out-of-jail-free cards as they pillage the environment, and continue to undermine the lives of their workers.
How about it Joe? can you be as forceful with your domestic policy?
13
@michaeltide … you really don't know much about Joe Biden.
17
@Rev. Henry Bates we know enough about Biden to know he/the establishment dems want to go back to Obama times. If Biden is nominated Trump will serve 4 more years. I won’t vote for him!
2
@Rev. Henry Bates
"you really don't know much about Joe Biden."
You're probably right, but, as is famously said about art, I know what I like.
That is interesting. It is basically what Bernie said during a Q&A with Rachel and what he has been saying, although one of Bernie's missions in his political life has been to eradicate all wars. I am really happy to see so many of Bernie's ideas being brought to the campaign. He was so Presidential on the Maddow show, every question was answered calmly and quickly to the point. The best idea for seeing Mitch McConnell retire was the highlight.
5
@s.whether Who is "Rachel"?
@s.whether
I wanted to add that Rachel asked the most important questions of a person that could possibly be the most important person in the world.
Rachel Maddow was brilliant when she interviewed Bernie Sanders. Just as she is always.
5
@s.whether War cry - Dump Trump, Ditch Mitch. The American voter will use the ballot as the weapon of choice. A good alternative to a bullet, but can be just as effective.
"Mr. Biden’s campaign said the speech would be focused on the present and the future, rather than the past"
How convenient it would be for Joe if we just wouldn't look at his past! Unfortunately, he has 40 years or baggage to sift through, and his Iraq War vote is just one point on this particular graph. If the Democratic primary voters don't have the stomach to dig into Biden's past, the GOP will gladly do so in the general to great effect.
10
@Greg: Considering what our incumbent "president" has done to this nation's standing in the world and to its credibility among our (former) allies, the GOP has nothing useful to say on the subject.
42
@Greg It is called 40 years of experience! And there are bound too be some missteps, in everyone's life. The main question to ask is how to get rid of the trump disease?
46
@W Biden's past vs. Trump's shady past ... and present. Hmmm. Yes, I can see where the GOP would want to go there.
2