Joe Biden’s Controversial Record Will Be On Full Display During The Democrat Debate

Every candidate on the debate stage tonight will be looking for their one breakout moment that transcends the debate and gives their campaign something to build on. For most of the candidates, the best chance for that moment will be attacking Joe Biden.

His flip-flop on abortion policy and embrace of segregationist senators has drawn headlines in the last couple of weeks. However, these aren’t the only issues that fellow candidates will use to attack Biden in front of a national audience tonight.

Biden Feels the Heat on Trade

Joe Biden’s free trade record is under scrutiny. Democrats are “on the brink of completely reorienting their party on trade,” and Joe Biden is on the wrong end of that reorientation.

In April, Bernie Sanders drew a sharp contrast with Biden’s trade record:

Washington Post: “I helped lead the fight against NAFTA; he voted for NAFTA,” Sanders said. “I helped lead the fight against [permanent normal trade relations] with China; he voted for it. I strongly opposed the Trans-Pacific Partnership; he supported it.”

Biden’s team is surely aware of the weaknesses his record presents. Just yesterday, The Atlantic published a story about each candidate’s stance on TPP. Biden’s team refused to give a position. Keep in mind, Biden was the “administration’s leading pitchman” for TPP.

Iraq War Vote Hurts Biden’s Campaign

Joe Biden’s Iraq War vote is sure to haunt him in this primary. Democratic voters, specifically young people, cite his vote in support of the war as a significant liability.

Bernie Sanders has pulled no punches when it comes to critiquing Biden on the vote.

The Hill: “I voted against the war in Iraq,” Mr Sanders said in the US Capitol. “In fact, helped lead the opposition to what turned out to be the worst foreign policy disaster in the modern history of America. Joe voted for it.”

Sanders has seen his momentum begin to stall and he will have to take aim at Biden to reenergize that base of support he risks losing to Elizabeth Warren.

Biden’s ‘Middle Ground’ Environmental Agenda Panned

Joe Biden’s climate plan was an attempt by the campaign to appease progressives and stake a claim to one of the primary’s most relevant issues. It backfired. Badly.

Biden’s rollout of his climate plan was an unmitigated disaster. Despite the careful planning by his team, Biden spent a significant portion of his day off message while dealing with another instance of plagiarism. To boot, his climate approach was panned by activists and fellow candidates, most notably Bernie Sanders.

Everyone will be looking to make a moment that helps them stand out in the crowd tonight and Biden should feel the full brunt of his competitors tonight.