Re “In his TV interview, Biden didn’t end the Tara Reade story. No one could” by James Pindell (Ground Game, May 1): After following the Tara Reade story in some detail, I’ve decided to embrace the old adage that the truth will set you free. For anyone other than Reade and former vice president Joe Biden, the truth is we don’t know what happened, and it is unlikely we’ll ever know. So I can’t adjudicate this case. More important, I don’t have to.
Reade is certainly free to prosecute her claim, and Biden to defend himself against it, as they deem fit in the court of public opinion. For me, Biden continues to be head and shoulders above the “I accept no responsibility,” “do me a favor” incumbent in the White House, and this is irrespective of any consideration of substantive policies (think: children in cages) and competence.
We can’t change the past. Elections are about the future. The future of the country will be better under Biden than under the incumbent by every measure. Everything else is just noise, and acknowledging this fundamental truth does not disrespect Reade or make critics of Brett Kavanaugh hypocrites. It is just a fact of life that we have to meet it as we find it.
Meanwhile, I wish that all prospective female running mates could take this approach and abstain from being either a shield or a sword for Biden on this issue. They can keep their dignity by stopping the abhorrent practice of a woman carrying water for a man on a sexual harassment or assault charge by focusing on how they and their running mate can secure a better future for the country.
Vivian Tseng
Concord
Note from KBJ: Barack Obama put the children in cages, Vivian. Have you been getting your "news" from CNN?
