Biden courts Sanders voters with student loan, healthcare policies

By Trevor Hunnicutt

 

FILE PHOTO: Democratic U.S. presidential candidates former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Bernie Sanders do an elbow bump in place of a handshake as they greet other before the start of the 11th Democratic candidates debate of the 2020 U.S. presidential campaign, held in CNN's Washington studios without an audience because of the global coronavirus pandemic, in Washington, U.S. March 15, 2020. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo

 

(Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden on Thursday proposed expanding access to Medicare and forgiving some student debt in new overtures to supporters of onetime rival Bernie Sanders.

 

Biden, who became Democrats' presumptive nominee when Sanders ended his campaign on Wednesday, is working to close ranks as his party prepares a campaign to unseat Republican President Donald Trump in the Nov. 3 election.

 

Biden's new proposals on Thursday include expanding Medicare, government insurance for Americans over 65, to those 60 and older. He also promises to forgive student debt for lower-income Americans who attended public colleges and some other higher-educational institutions.

 

"Senator Sanders and his supporters can take pride in their work in laying the groundwork for these ideas, and I'm proud to adopt them as part of my campaign at this critical moment in responding to the coronavirus crisis," Biden said in a statement.

 

The Democratic presidential candidates battled for nearly a year about the practicality of Sanders' signature plans to forgive all federal student debt and his Medicare for All proposal to give government healthcare insurance to all Americans. Biden opposed both, offering his own slate of policies on both education and healthcare.

 

Now, Democrats are trying to tailor a message that can attract both the left flank of their own party and more conservative voters who backed Trump.

As his lead in the Democratic primaries expanded, Biden pivoted to a message of unity and started to adopt some policies his rivals endorsed.

 

Sanders on Wednesday called Biden "a very decent man, who I will work with to move our progressive ideas forward."

 

But Biden's outreach efforts are not likely to include broad adoption of Sanders' signature programs like Medicare for All, according to several people familiar with his plans.

 

In the statement on Thursday, Biden said the new policies would help Americans hurt by the coronavirus outbreak to "find more secure footing in the long term once we have emerged from this crisis."

 

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt in New York; editing by Jonathan Oatis)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-04-10

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Translation of article: Biden is ready to offer Bernie Bros as much free stuff as it takes to get them to hold their noses and vote for Biden in November.

 

I don't think that's going to cut it.

Biden comes as advertised, a decent left of center politician. I think both proposals are both good policy and good politics. The student loan thing is more of a Bernie issue, including Medicare at age 60 has more appeal to independents and accidental 45 supporters. But I assume that's only a buy in option which so many people won't be able to afford. The truth is in the USA that health care is tied to employment and if you lose your job at 60, the majority of people will have very few options. Sure people want much more but at least it's an improvement over 45's plans to totally trash Obamacare and replace it with nothing. I also assume this is kind of an opening position and Bernie will be pushing for some more and he'll probably get it. I think that because these proposals are very modest. It would help bring Bernie people along if he can help Biden move further. I am personally disappointed because I feel the virus situation has the USA primed for a real universal health care system as in Canada and UK more so than ever.

 

But again at the end of the day and the end of the election, democratic policy statements don't really matter. It's a referendum on 45 and he is in the deep doo doo and he knows it.

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-reason-trump-is-skeptical-of-mail-in-voting-because-hed-likely-lose/2020/04/09/0a4982f2-7a99-11ea-a130-df573469f094_story.html

Quote

Trump might want to get a head start on packing his bags

Beat him like a drum!

Edited April 9, 20206 yr by Jingthing

1 hour ago, Crazy Alex said:

Translation of article: Biden is ready to offer Bernie Bros as much free stuff as it takes to get them to hold their noses and vote for Biden in November.

 

I don't think that's going to cut it.

Or you could vote for no insurance you die in the street roll back women’s rights voter suppression education only for the wealthy rampant corruption just for starters no sir I don’t think it’s going to go trumps way we have all had a good look at him we imo need to evolve to a more egalitarian government 

I'm a bernie or bust voter... but the way Trump has handled coronavirus might actually lure me, and others like me, to the polls in November.

2 hours ago, Crazy Alex said:

Translation of article: Biden is ready to offer Bernie Bros as much free stuff as it takes to get them to hold their noses and vote for Biden in November.

 

I don't think that's going to cut it.

Came here to say this. Free 5hit Army camping out on the doorstep.

 

Bernie looks more healthy than Biden. I'm guessing he had a stroke.

 

Biden will lose. He'll say even more stupid shi+ than Trump lol.

 

Running mate - Hillary

 

Biden is clearly a swamp monster.

 

 

Edited April 10, 20206 yr by Number 6

1 hour ago, Tug said:

Or you could vote for no insurance you die in the street roll back women’s rights voter suppression education only for the wealthy rampant corruption just for starters no sir I don’t think it’s going to go trumps way we have all had a good look at him we imo need to evolve to a more egalitarian government 

Yes because there are people dying in the streets, suppressing women's rights and there are no means for anyone but the rich to send their kids to college. I'm sorry, what country is this happening in?

That is buying votes should be illegal .

The choice is simple, and I hope you can see it:

If you DON'T vote for Biden, you get 4 more years (or more) with Trump. Is that what you want?

If you DO vote for Biden, you get a decent man, well intentioned, intelligent and caring for all US citizens.

Your Choice!!

 

3 minutes ago, ehs818 said:

The choice is simple, and I hope you can see it:

If you DON'T vote for Biden, you get 4 more years (or more) with Trump. Is that what you want?

If you DO vote for Biden, you get a decent man, well intentioned, intelligent and caring for all US citizens.

Your Choice!!

 

Biden is as dumb as an ashtray. He's been screwing Americans for banksters for decades. He literally has no worthy accomplishments to run on. He'll be looking to not be drooling all over a bib by election time.

9 minutes ago, ehs818 said:

The choice is simple, and I hope you can see it:

If you DON'T vote for Biden, you get 4 more years (or more) with Trump. Is that what you want?

If you DO vote for Biden, you get a decent man, well intentioned, intelligent and caring for all US citizens.

Your Choice!!

 

Your rationalization of Biden is to justify not to vote for Trump and not persuasive. F-.

Biden is a senile old fool who loves to sniff little girls' hair.

 

Yet, the Democrats think he is the "best of the best"  ????????

4 minutes ago, Tug said:

Really?how about your trump bilking investors ripping off vendors(contractors) for those not in the industry’s bankruptcy after bankruptcy squandered daddy’s inheritance trying to sell out our election to foreigners I could go on and on and on common  You can do better than that

I see you've never dealt with contractors. And yes, you could go on and on. But it would all still the same level of BS you've already pecked out on your keyboard.

The outcome to a Biden victory is that the USA will get its first (non-elected) female president. No way could he survive for the 4 year term.

The post-election wash up will be interesting to see how many Bernie Bros will actually vote for Biden.

A small % will vote for Trump, but I believe that a large % will not vote at all.

I have sorted out the Student Loan debt.........................

 

.

A personal attack / troll post has been removed

13 minutes ago, sanuk711 said:

I have sorted out the Student Loan debt.........................

 

.

 

Let the universities underwrite their worthless degrees themselves. The government needs to get out of the loan business for colleges. Watch the tuition drop dramatically when they can't sell overpriced degrees to the dimmest teenagers, full of angst. 

 

Now there is some talent that is worthwhile to put through school. However I think the majority of good paying employers don't care. I have two pills... one is a successful and happy life... the other is a degree in women's studies with a minor in Japanese from the university of Peoria and a $300,000 debt plus you get five years older. In addition you will probably get pregnant and drop out right about the time your BF graduates and leaves you.

 

What a great choice stop financing institutionalized stupidity. Especially for fields that leave you in debt so you require a higher paying job that doesn't exist. The cost in opportunity in regards to the time lost is also obscene.

 

 

Edited April 10, 20206 yr by Cryingdick

1 hour ago, DoctorG said:

The outcome to a Biden victory is that the USA will get its first (non-elected) female president. No way could he survive for the 4 year term.

For sure.

Just take a good look at him.

3 minutes ago, JingerBen said:

For sure.

Just take a good look at him.

 

Is it just me or has he put on weight?

1 hour ago, Crazy Alex said:

I see you've never dealt with contractors. And yes, you could go on and on. But it would all still the same level of BS you've already pecked out on your keyboard.

I’ve worn both hats many many times when you don’t pay fore services received you are a bilko artist I would suggest you don’t assume you know me you don’t mr trump has been known for many decades to be a rip-off artist he is what he is

Edited April 10, 20206 yr by Tug

14 minutes ago, gargamon said:

These US political threads sure bring out the Russian bots, don't they? And it's always the same 4 or 5, I won't mention any names, but it is obvious...

Hey, you've been spending too much time alone lately.

It's not the "Russian bots" that we have to fear... it's the Chinese.

7 minutes ago, JingerBen said:

Hey, you've been spending too much time alone lately.

It's not the "Russian bots" that we have to fear... it's the Chinese.

I have noticed recently there seems to be more active conservatives commenting. The libs seem to think if they can cry the loudest and longest eventually it will become so annoying they will get their way. 

 

The American machine has only started to become stronger. There is an upward momentum going right now in spite of everything. Everybody is out building and planting flowers and trees.

 

I bought some shares in Lowes and Home Depot lately.( LOW HD) I went to either one and there are more people than ever before. There isn't much to do so get those projects done.

 

The other reality is you are poor living in a box in NYC and waiting for government help. Listening to Governor Cuomo talk about meatballs, spaghetti and sausages in a Nah yahk accent. hungry because he isn't the one stuck in a hole that he governs.

 

America will come out of this in 6 months much stronger than ever before. If not we can always elect Biden. LOL

 

Make no doubt about it the USA will come back twice as hard.

 

Edited April 10, 20206 yr by Cryingdick

2 hours ago, ehs818 said:

The choice is simple, and I hope you can see it:

If you DON'T vote for Biden, you get 4 more years (or more) with Trump. Is that what you want?

If you DO vote for Biden, you get a decent man, well intentioned, intelligent and caring for all US citizens.

Your Choice!!

 

That's been the Democratic strategy all my adult life. Holding the electorate hostage. The Democratic machine finds it absolutely impossible to run a change candidate. It's beholden to so many special interests it's weak, inflexible and stagnant. It's been immobile and on life support since Obama's second run for office.

Joe Biden, the liberals new torch holder. He sniffs girls hair, fondles them, and jokes with them about a no dating promise until they reach 30.

What an honest and decent guy.  Too bad he suffers from dementia.

17 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

NYC and waiting for government help.

This city and state are so needy. Absolutely sick of it.

 

*Loan* them ventilators? Never coming back.

 

New Yorkers just a few weeks ago packed in subways defiant. So typical.

 

2 minutes ago, Number 6 said:

This city and state are so needy. Absolutely sick of it.

 

*Loan* them ventilators? Never coming back.

 

New Yorkers just a few weeks ago packed in subways defiant. So typical.

 

80% of people that go on ventilators die anyway. After a day or two that's a hospital bed wasted on somebody you aren't saving. You are making it a slower death. Not you, personally.

 

So you have all these human lungs and are extending their lives by several weeks if they are sick already. 

2 minutes ago, Number 6 said:

That's been the Democratic strategy all my adult life. Holding the electorate hostage. The Democratic machine finds it absolutely impossible to run a change candidate. It's beholden to so many special interests it's weak, inflexible and stagnant. It's been immobile and on life support since Obama's second run for office.

The main stream media is in the same condition. Both the death of print media and rise of free internet news left them on death's doorstep financially. Special interest groups like America's $4 trillion dollar/year health industry not only control the MSM but a significant part of our government. This is the primary reason Democrats and the MSM are in bed together.

 

 

17 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

80% of people that go on ventilators die anyway

Yes, I'd read that. The world should just triage patients above 75. Hospice only, best of luck. Yet another scam perpetrated by medical industry in US. If my 90yo parents get the virus  i throughly expect them with their excellent insurance to be put on ventilators. Medical mafia.

 

When this is all over US should again actively recruit overseas physicians and medical staff.

 

I once knew a nurse midwife. She was all about taking care of illegal aliens, birthing them at taxpayers expense. Welfare. Career and job insurance.

Edited April 10, 20206 yr by Number 6

6 minutes ago, Number 6 said:

Yes, I'd read that. The world should just triage patients above 75. Hospice only, best of luck. Yet another scam perpetrated by medical industry in US. If my 90yo parents get the virus  i throughly expect them with their excellent insurance to be put on ventilators. Medical mafia.

 

When this is all over US should again actively recruit overseas physicians and medical staff.

 

I once knew a nurse midwife. She was all about taking care of illegal aliens, birthing them at taxpayers expense. Welfare. Career and job insurance.

 

Seems to me they die anyway, luck doesn't play a big role. The dems are going to miss their opportunity to up the death tax on inheritance.

Edited April 10, 20206 yr by Cryingdick