Harvard Law School professor Laurence Tribe is under fire this week after referring to the selection of an African American for vice president over Sen. Elizabeth Warren as mere “cosmetics.” The comment set off a firestorm with critics calling the comment racist. I have strongly disagreed with Tribe’s legal positions and his rhetoric. However, I testified with Tribe during the Clinton impeachment and I have interacted with him for years. He is neither a racist nor dismissive of racial concerns. Tribe has spent his life fighting for his vision of a more perfect and equal union. People need to afford others a modicum of decency and consideration in such ill-considered commentary. Anyone who believes that Laurence Tribe is a racist is discarding decades of public interest work over a wayward comment.
Tribe interviewed with the Washington Post to support Sen. Elizabeth Warren after signing a letter with 100 others to former Vice President Joe Biden. He told the Washington Post that Biden should not yield to the demand to select an African American woman. (Biden previously declared that he would not consider men for the position). Tribe stated “I think African-Americans above all would be the first to say they are more interested in results than cosmetics.”
Former Pete Buttigieg staffer Rodericka Applewhaite, objected Tribe was engaging in racist speech. She declared Tribe “has no business speaking for Black people” and that dismissing calls for black leadership as “cosmetic” is racist.
Tribe quickly tried to quell the objections.
Laurence Tribe
✔@tribelaw
In urging @SenWarren as the strongest VP choice, I didn’t mean to express any doubt at all that several women of color currently on what’s said to be the Biden short list would be excellent choices as well. And (see next item in this thread)https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/warren-allies-send-letter-urging-biden-to-pick-her-as-running-mate/2020/06/15/4d453762-ae75-11ea-b1e7-33e88fa24c71_story.html …
Laurence Tribe
✔@tribelaw
when asked by the Post why Biden’s choice of a white woman wouldn’t automatically offend African Americans, I replied that I thought they “above all would be the first to say they are more interested in results than in cosmetics.” I apologize for my choice of words. See next item
Laurence Tribe
✔@tribelaw
I’ve never doubted that racial identity is a significant variable in American governance. It should count heavily in favor of previously excluded groups as part of a person’s full record of background, skills, and values. I’m FOR Warren, not ANTI-excellent others.
Notably, Tribe’s insistence that he is not “ANTI-excellent others” does not seem to include any male candidates who were categorically excluded by Biden. Biden’s promise not to consider any male candidate would violate federal law if he were the head of a corporation as opposed to the country.
Nevertheless, “cosmetics” aside, Tribe is no racist. Hopefully, he will be equally protective of other academics who have been recently declared racist for merely expressing their views on current events.
“Hopefully, he [Tribe] will be equally protective of other academics who have been recently declared racist for merely expressing their views on current events.”
I, for one, am betting the other way. That he continues his slavish devotion to the Democratic Party, and behaves in an abominable fashion even more stridently. He has to work harder to get back the cred he lost.
It appears that the only thing coming out of the mouths of the left these past decades is ‘a wayward comment’. Looking for a fight and provoking discord is all that is left in the democrat/left playbook and it is wearing thin. Get ready for a smack down in November, the grownups are tired of this game.
Only considering women is discriminatory, only considering minorities is discriminatory, suggesting a person other than a woman or a minority is discriminatory. Quite a box.
“People need to afford others a modicum of decency and consideration in such ill-considered commentary. ”
hm ha…..ha..ha..ha…HA..HA..HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!!!!
Sorry, I couldn’t even read any more after that I was laughing so hard. I can barely see to type, tears are streaming down my face.
You actually think there’s any hope of leftists “afford[ing] others a modicum of decency”?
Where have you been for the past decade or so? Surely not anywhere on this planet.
Sounds more pragmatic to me.
Tribe certainly knows that democracy is warfare. He has always played the “woke warrior” with regard to racism. Now, finally, he’s attacked by commanders in his own army.
Trump should announce he is not running again and let Pence take his place.
Pence would be the wooden stake driven through the hearts of the vampires that the Left have become, and Americans would rally around that without batting an eye
And speaking about the presidential campaign …
The Associated Press (@AP):
“President Trump inaccurately says an AIDS vaccine exists while predicting a coronovirus vaccine by the end of 2020, and falsely accuses the Obama administration of making no effort to stop abusive policing, an #APFactCheck finds. http://apne.ws/ZDg83Vo”
In response, Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) writes:
“Has any administration member or prominent Trump supporter or Republican Senator been asked to comment on this ridiculous, ignorant, false claim from the president? If not, why not?
“Can you imagine what Trump, Fox and co would be doing if Biden had ‘gaffed’ like this?”
Trump is a pathological liar. He says whatever he finds convenient in the moment, regardless of whether it’s true.
Trump is a pathological liar.
Yes,, but isn’t Joey Two-Fingers? Rape, Burisma and Chinese bribes of billions of dollars, Ukrainian Logan Act violations…appears that the Democrats are guilty of the same crimes for which they prosecuted Trump.
“Democrats are guilty of the same crimes for which they prosecuted Trump”
A claim for which you’ve provided no evidence.
Frankly, I’m uncertain what crimes you’re referring to in your claim about “crimes for which they prosecuted Trump.” If you’re referring to impeachment, that’s not a criminal prosecution. If you’re instead referring to some crime(s) that he’s been prosecuted for by the DOJ, or by a state A.G., or by a D.A., you haven’t specified.
As for your question, no, Biden isn’t a pathological liar. He may lie at times, but not indiscriminately and daily. Pathological lying is compulsive and chronic; it’s distinct from the typical lying that almost everyone sometimes does.
Commit, most of the posters here have their head so far up this despicable jerk’s butt, they can’t hear you.
“He said you can keep your doctor…..” Yes, you have that gem to weigh against over 19k lies to date and counting every hour.
” Cosmetics ” ? No, just a cynical calculation hopefully increasing Biden’s chance of winning in November. The question is whether Joe wants a ‘ take charge ‘ woman like Lizzy Warren, or an ostensibly ‘ ceremonial ‘ woman like Stacy Abrams. But also one should take into consideration the desires of the Democrat power elites. Not mentioned but always in the running is our old friend HILLARY!
Coming to your local voting precinct this November…the ‘Red Wave’. People are tired of this.
Don’t bet on it.
Trump is even trying to harm and even kill some of his supporters by having rallies in enclosed spaces, despite people being closely packed indoors for a long period of time being dangerous w.r.t. coronavirus transmission:
“Officials in Tulsa, Okla., are warning that President Donald Trump’s planned campaign rally Saturday — his first in over three months — is likely to worsen an already troubling spike in coronavirus infections and could become a disastrous “super spreader.” … The number of active coronavirus cases [in Tulsa County] climbed from 188 to 532 in a one-week period, a 182% increase; hospitalizations with COVID-19 almost doubled. … “There’s just nothing good about this and particularly in an enclosed arena,” said Karen Keith, a Tulsa County commissioner who oversees the area where the rally is supposed to take place. “I don’t want people to lose a parent. I don’t want them to lose a grandma. I don’t want them to lose a family member over this.” …” (https://www.startribune.com/tulsa-officials-fear-trump-s-rally-could-be-a-perfect-storm-for-virus-spread/571298992/ )
Trump is even requiring attendees agree to a COVID-19 liability waiver:
“By clicking register below, you are acknowledging that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. By attending the Rally, you and any guests voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and agree not to hold Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.; BOK Center; ASM Global; or any of their affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, or volunteers liable for any illness or injury.”
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/covid-19-trump-tulsa-rally-june/
The qualities necessary for VP, which must also apply for the Presidency are to be found, today, in enough female candidates that choosing a female would not be diminishing the offices by uniquely pandering to gain women’s votes. This is also true regarding Black female candidates. There are enough Black female candidates worthy of the office of the Presidency. However the issue of cosmetics does come into play, given America’s racial past and failure to elect a woman to the office of VP or President.
Now, it comes down to tactics. Does choosing a Black female for VP turn off fence sitters that might vote Democrat but now won’t because they think that Biden’s picking a token Black to chase votes? If Biden chose a White female would he lose more Black votes than fence sitter votes?
If Biden chose Warren he would tick off the center and possibly lose fence sitter votes afraid of the country leaning too far left. The Senate, which is almost as important as the Presidency, would be potentially weakened for the Democrats, by losing a senator.
The moment calls for a female VP more than 2008 called for an African American President. Obama got in on his own accomplishments. The race issue probably lost as many votes as it gained.
Biden choosing a Black female candidate is cosmetic to some degree. However, all politics is cosmetic. Some might feel that America could have received a better VP one way or the other. These votes would be swayed by perceptions of cosmetics at play either way. In some ways it is much like 2008. The three Republican stooges had performed so abysmally and America had sunk to such depths under their administration that Obama being Black was overshadowed by the common understanding that the country simply could not afford another Republican term. One might say that a white Democrat would have won more votes. Obama was more than simply a Black candidate coming along at the right time. He was self made, accomplished, experienced enough, and extremely intelligent when compared with Bush. McCain also contributed by choosing that doorknob Palin for VP.
If Biden’s choice is a Black female that equals the ingredients brought by Obama, then it will be the right choice at the right time. It will be tactically cosmetic and unfortunately seen by some as purely cosmetic. Bringing up the issue is not racist, but race related. This illustrates to some degree just how backward America is politically. The more advanced and less racist nations elect women as leaders without the subject of gender even surfacing. The same is true regarding race. Christine Lagarde, Angela Merkel, Margret Thatcher, Sadiq Kahn, etc. That this is even an issue reflects on the disturbing presence of racism in America. This country will evolve with some kicking and screaming all the way, clinging to the past, trying to make America great again.
‘Obama was more than simply a Black candidate coming along at the right time. He was self made, accomplished, experienced enough, and extremely intelligent when compared with Bush,’
Self made? at what? Slinging waffle cones at Baskin Robbins?
Accomplished? Minority seat at the Harvard Law Review, Affirmative Action Lecturer at UC Law and later the first Affirmative Action President
Experienced? A few years as minority selection teacher and as a ‘community organizer.’
Extremely intelligent when compared with Bush. I give you that, but then, so is my cat…
Obama is, above all, a grifter, much like the Clintons. Latest example
The presidential center plans to carve out 19.3 acres of the park, which the city will turn over to the Obama Foundation for 99 years. The price? Ten dollars. The city also has agreed to pick up all the costs of remediation in the event that the center requires extra structural support—likely given the watery location. Jackson Park’s eastern border is Lake Michigan.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/chicago-betrays-the-public-trust-for-obama-11564094571
It’s all about comparisons. Obama, compared to Bush, Trump, Reagan, McConnell, Inhofe, ad infinitum, was and is extremely intelligent. He may not be as clever, sly, and polished, but far above the norm as far as intelligence goes.
Regarding his route to the Presidency, compare him with the little Brush, whelp of a checkered family dynasty, idiot extraordinaire, and puppet. Compare him to Trump, a six time bankrupt expert with twelve failed businesses who made it by transferring his family’s inheritance from real estate development for the masses to bling real estate for the select few mega wealthy.
Can you really not see the value in Obama and the disgrace in Bush and Trump?
Do you really want another four years of the Trump shame on America?
The United States is a strong country with substantial momentum and resources. However it succumbs to its hubris and falls prey to false icons of a perverted mythology of its origins. Perhaps it’s time to wake up and step back. Take a better look.
“Biden’s promise not to consider any male candidate would violate federal law if he were the head of a corporation as opposed to the country.”
And Trump would have been indicted for obstruction of justice “if he were the head of a corporation as opposed to the country,” since the OLC opinion that saved him only applies to the President (https://www.justice.gov/olc/opinion/sitting-president%E2%80%99s-amenability-indictment-and-criminal-prosecution ).
For better and worse, some laws vary in their applicability.
Meanwhile, today’s NYTs:
WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration’s abrupt decision this week to revoke an emergency waiver for two malaria drugs promoted by President Trump as potential “game changers” against the coronavirus has left 66 million doses stranded in the federal stockpile — and officials do not yet know what they will do with them.
The F.D.A.’s withdrawal on Monday of its “emergency use authorization” for chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine did not go over well at the White House, where top aides to Mr. Trump had rushed in March to fill the federal stockpile.
Just as with all his many other business failures, Trump will push the costs and blame off on others.
And yet, I bet, he’s infinitely more successful than you, issac.
I wasn’t born to wealth, privilege, and connections. I haven’t gone bankrupt once, let alone six times. I haven’t failed at a business, let alone twelve times.
Trump is a mega millionaire because he was born into it. As a self made person, tens of millions of Americans are more ‘self made’ than Trump.
Much of Trump’s wealth is a result of him screwing contractors, banks, and workers, by skipping out through bankruptcies. He bragged about it, just as he bragged about ‘making stuff up’.
Trump is who he is because he passed the losses on, passed the buck on, and lied all the way. This is the President of the United States.
Trump’s greatest achievement has been in making dupes out of 40% of the voters. Did you contribute to that.
The FDA has been a continuous problem and will have to be clocked yet again by the president.
Alas, Tribe. Live by the sword of hate-mongering, die by the sword of hate-mongering. See also: Robespierre
quote: Former Pete Buttigieg staffer Rodericka Applewhaite, objected Tribe was engaging in racist speech. She declared Tribe “has no business speaking for Black people”
Does this mean that non-white people have no business speaking for white people? Whoops, there goes the entire racism narrative. Good thing the left is comfortable with hypocrisy.
Tribe’s original comment and his defense shows that he is both racist and sexist. That objectively defines the Left today. Any other interpretation denies the definition of terms as the Left defines them.
“Biden’s promise not to consider any male candidate would violate federal law if he were the head of a corporation as opposed to the country.”
Well noted, especially as so many, generally on the progressive side, are presently applauding the Supreme Court’s extension of the scope of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
“…so many, generally on the progressive side, are presently applauding…”
it must be hard for you.
JT is hardly a progressive
Did anyone say he is?
Out of principle, I agree with your defense of Mr. Tribe. However (to my knowledge) over the years, the professor has seldom given others the benefit of the doubt. Maybe this will be a learning moment! One can hope!
“the professor has seldom given others the benefit of the doubt”
Examples?
read any tweet he has ever written as an example
examples?
Please give an example of Mr. Tribe defending a prominent pro Trump conservative, I’ll be happily surprised.
“Cosmetics”. Someone tell all the female candidates to take off their ugly makeup.
Face the music.