It has been called the Democratic Clown Car, the group now numbering 25, of those running for the Presidency next year. But much of the rhetoric coming out of this oversized cadre of political wannabes can be boiled down to the three Ps — plagiarism, pandering and posturing.
First, look at the plagiarism nakedly demonstrated by just a couple of the more notable runners. Joe Biden, who has taken a wide lead in the early polling, has done it again. While rolling out his plan for battling the climate problem, he lifted much of his platform plank from other sources. Matt Margolis, in a June 4 article, listed five places where, in his 20 plus page tome, quoted virtually verbatim the writing of others.
When confronted with this undeniable fact, Biden’s staff claimed that they were really honest mistakes, and in subsequent posts added the attributions. If that were the only time such had happened, maybe . . . But in running for the 1988 Democratic nomination to take on George H. W. Bush, Biden quoted at length a British politician, Neil Kinnock, word for word in a speech.
To top his off, when in law school, Joe Biden was disciplined for plagiarism for taking credit for something he lifted from another source. It seems that “Uncle Joe” cannot keep his hands off women nor his words his own.
Do you suppose that Robert Francis “Beto” O’Rourke was learning from him in one of his own speeches? While reading up on Beto’s run for the White House, I read he used the phrase, to support his ideas, he would “pay any price, bear any burden” to succeed. Of course, those stirring words can be found in John Kennedy’s inaugural address of January 20, 1961. One wonders if Beto considers Biden a mentor when it comes to using other people’s ideas.
Pandering seems to come natural to the occupants of the Clown Car. Appeals to virtually every demographic are heard when they speak to audiences. Women get special treatment, the idea that “reproductive rights”, a.k.a. abortion, is a constitutional right. Another group, the LGBTQ community, is defended and promised a place at the White House table. Have poor health care? Each of the major Dems running for the Oval Office have endorsed Medicare for All, regardless of the cost. Want a free college education? Most of the candidates have a plan to supply that. Gone to college and accumulated a backbreaking load of student debt? Various plans to forgive this $1.5 trillionproblem have been floated in the debates.
Other groups have come in for the pandering crowd, who have never met a cohort of individuals they would not do something for to alleviate their suffering. Back in the Roman days, the emperors promised the populace “bread and circuses” to keep the mob under control. By throwing out the many ideas to soothe the various identity groups, today’s Democrats are giving the ancient Romans a run for being the most efficient panderers.
Boring debates (June 26 and 27) allowed the candidates to posture. We have “Mayor Pete” of South Bend, IN, who claims, “I am the only person who is gay”, as he embraces his husband. Kamal Harris righteously shouts, “I am a woman and a person of color, and the only person who slept her way to the top!” Joe Biden gets in on this by playing the Obama card, asserting he was a true friend of Barack.
Bernie Sanders proudly stands out, in his mind, as the only true “democratic socialist”, whatever that is. Others take stands to place themselves in the best light. Each of the women never forgets that nor allows her listeners to forget the fact of that womanhood. One postures himself as the champion of those who would protect the climate from disaster.
No one in the Democratic lineup neglects to disparage Donald Trump, for each believes that in contrast he or she stands out against the President.
Other examples can be gleaned from the speeches, debates, policy papers that would reinforce the reality of the Clown Car. The Democratic candidates are the party of Plagiarism, Pandering, and Posturing. What you do not see are solid, workable ideas that will improve the lives of ordinary Americans.
Democrats 2020: Plagiarism, Pandering and PosturingDemocrats 2020: Plagiarism, Pandering and Posturing At least on the Republican side, the GOP does not need those “lanes” for their candidate. Donald Trump has a solid, conservative and effective record to run on. Honestly, now, which would you prefer — Trump or the Clown Car?