This is being read as an endorsement of Joe Biden or somehow giving him a pass, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Let me clarify.
Those defending Joe Biden by saying that he’s a “good guy” and therefore could never harm anyone are instead harming survivors and this movement. Relying on him being “the only hope” against Trump wouldn’t excuse his behavior either.
We need to beat Trump. We also deserve to hold our own candidate to a higher standard. Joe Biden needs to speak for himself. Not through surrogates or statements. If he wants to be electable, he has to be accountable.
To be clear: Tara Reade deserves our respect and full support in telling her story. Those who would casually dismiss her out of hand because she is “inconvenient” are also harming survivors. Full stop.
Also, I have to say I feel a deep sense of sadness about the false choice being presented to survivors navigating this. It should not be our burden to bear. And yet we will be forced to carry it far beyond Nov. Remember that the next time you’d like to pit us against each other.
