Is Biden controlled by the far-left?

[Anonymous]

Yes

No

[nightdrot]

Answered No, but it is a qualified "no." In fact, Mr. Biden, not unlike Senator Bernie Sanders, President Trump and other such figures is a populist.

The line comes from a British play. "I'm a man of no convictions - at least I think I am." Populism is not a schematic philosophy or ideology. Rather, it is an attitude toward society and politics characterized by a distrust of elites and established institutions, a belief that complexity is merely a cloak for elites to exploit the common man, and a belief that the common man is the paragon of virtue and truth.

Populism has no consistent economic philosophy but rather cuts across what are typically viewed, in an American context, as "conservative" and "liberal" views. Thus, for example, Mr. Trump, back in the day, argued for free market economics and then push for protectionist economic policies. Mr. Biden now rages against the rich and powerful and yet offered a student loan forgiveness plan that, in effect, was a transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich.

There is no real consistency to the Biden agenda, but this can - it does not always - conduce to obeisance, at least in policy terms, to a "far left" agenda. Not by design,, but more because a given policy agenda and the nature of the coalition - in this case, the Democratic party - to which Mr. Biden belongs.

Just to add, the terms "right," "left" and so forth, are not terribly helpful. The usage comes out of the French revolution, when supporters of a republic sat to the left of the Speaker's chair in the National Assembly, while supporters of the Church and the monarchy sat to the right. While these are common usage in contemporary politics, they actually don't say very much.

In that connection, American political parties - the Democrats and Republicans - are not ideological parties such as often seen in Europe. Rather they are lose knit coalitions of various demographic, geographic, racial, ethnic, religious and regional factions that have come together in part out of common interests and in part by historical accident.

It is in this context that Mr. Biden can sometimes be a captive of the "far left." Not out of conviction, but more out of the need to fill a policy agenda and address particular issues.

Lacking any deeper convictions that the envy, resentment and self-interest that tends to drive populist politics, Mr. Biden will then fall in line with the loudest voices. Episodically and not consistently, but certainly that there is a coincidence of his policies and what might be generally described as a "far left" agenda.

On the one hand, this often leads to misguided policymaking. On the other side, beyond Mr. Biden's simple personal stubbornness and the tendency of politics to adhere to principle - however sloppily defined - come what may, it can almost be assured that he will tend which way the winds are blowing in his party.

Put simply, to the extent that Mr. Biden is "controlled by the far-left," it will not last beyond the next turn of the election cycle. There is no real there, there.

[jshm2]

Nope. He's a centrist at heart. It's why he's lasted longer in politics than some of the Republican hacks have been alive!

Politics works by cooperation, not conflict. Sometimes you've got to cooperate with asshats and dipshits, but it's important to look at the bigger long term picture.

Republicans currently are on a losing streak as they are hellbent on dismantling the USA and recreating it as they want. It's why they are getting little backing by the institutions. It's like someone telling you to quit your job and take a break. But after they kill your boss you'll get your job back, and it will all be magically "better".

That's too much of a gamble for a reasonable person to take. But Republicans are never reasonable... or trustworthy.

[Kingofkings1992]

If you only knew how stupid you sound

[WindAtMyBack]

Moderate presidents always move in the direction of their party. There have been several moderate presidents in my life and this has happened with all of them.

This doesn't mean they are literally controlled by their party, but the "party line"is a strong influence. Of necessity they have to work with Congress. They will strongly tend to side with members of their own party.

[Anonymous]

Its more like he supports them and vice versa. The far left is stupid but they don't make excuses for their opinions. They force them onto people. They do make excuses for org ignore Biden's opinions. Try ask a leftist if a brown skinned Republican is black or not, and if not what race would they claim that brown skinned person is.

[exitseven]

Joe Biden will sign anything that is put in front of him. His wife will take him by the hand and lead him anyplace. When you look at him you can tell the lights are on but nobody's home.

[DarkWinterNights]

The Far Left is technically weaker than the MAGA movement. The Establishment Right and Left are in power because they have corporate support.

[Anonymous]

China owns Joe, and America. Why did this moronic imbecile sell our strategic oil reserve to China?

[KrakenAttackin]

Ha! Some people actually voted "no"... hilarious.

[ManHater]

He's an idiot far stupid left.

[Anonymous]

I'd say he is a puppet at best.