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Haley Campaign Press Release - Haley Rips Biden and Media for Hypocrisy on Race

January 08, 2024

[APP NOTE: Like all "Campaign Press Releases" this document was entirely the product of a partisan political campaign.  It is archived at the APP as part of the record of campaign communications. The APP has not assessed the accuracy of any claims made here either pro or con.]

DES MOINES, Iowa — In tonight's Fox News town hall, Nikki Haley criticized Joe Biden and the media for lecturing her and others on race while ignoring Biden's own record of praising segregationists, demeaning Black people, lying about his participation in the Civil Rights movement, and perpetuating negative racial stereotypes. This list spans Biden's long political career from the 1970s to today.

"But the second thing, I'll say is I don't need someone who palled around with segregationists in the 70s and has said racist comments all the way through his career lecturing me or anyone in South Carolina about what it means to have racism, slavery, or anything related to the Civil War."

Joe Biden's Timeline of Racial Comments and Actions

  • From 1971 to 1974, Biden's legal residence had a deed barring ownership by African Americans.

  • In 1974, Biden made an analogy of himself as a 29 year old in the Senate to being a "token black."

  • In 1975, Biden asked if "the only way a black man or woman can learn is if they rub shoulders with my white child?"

  • In 1977, Biden said that busing would cause his children to grow up in "a racial jungle."

  • In 1977, Biden voted against Black Justice Department nominees specifically over his opposition to busing.

  • In 1977, Biden said he asked to join the Senate Judiciary Committee specifically to lead the charge against busing.

  • In 1979, Biden voted to allow racially segregated private schools to keep their tax exempt status.

  • In 1981, Biden said George Wallace was "right about some things."

  • In 1984, Biden used the word "boy" to refer to Jesse Jackson.

  • In 1985, Biden made a favorable comparison between segregationist Senator John Stennis and Confederate General Stonewall Jackson.

  • In 1987, Biden "sought to appeal to white voters" by touting an award he received from George Wallace in 1973 where he praised Biden as "one of the outstanding young politicians in America."

  • During his 1988 campaign, Biden falsely claimed he was part of the civil rights movement, saying he "marched" in his "youth."

  • In 2006, Biden said, "you cannot go to a 7-11 or a Dunkin Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent."

  • In his 2007 book, Promises To Keep, Biden admitted that, as a young person, he had "no real relationships with Black people."

  • In 2007, Biden called then-Sen. Barack Obama "the first mainstream African American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy."

  • In 2010, Biden delivered a 22-minute eulogy, the longest speech, at Senator Robert Byrd's (D-WV) memorial service, calling the former KKK member a "friend," "mentor," and "guide."

  • In 2016, Biden praised segregationist Senator John Stennis as a "friend" and an "honorable" man.

  • In 2019, Biden recalled the era when "he was able to get along with segregationist senators."

  • In 2019, Biden boasted that segregationist Senator James Eastland called him son, not boy.

  • In 2019, Biden said the Obama administration went "into the hood" of Detroit to recruit minorities.

  • In 2019, Biden claimed a major problem Black communities face is illiteracy, saying Black "parents can't read or write themselves," leaving Black attendees "shocked and frustrated."

  • In 2019, Biden said that "poor kids are just as bright and just as talented as white kids."

  • In 2020, Biden suggested some people were able to quarantine during Covid because "some black woman was able to stack the grocery shelf."

[APP NOTE: Like all "Campaign Press Releases" this document was entirely the product of a partisan political campaign.  It is archived at the APP as part of the record of campaign communications. The APP has not assessed the accuracy of any claims made here either pro or con.]

Nikki Haley, Haley Campaign Press Release - Haley Rips Biden and Media for Hypocrisy on Race Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/369878

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