In Biden’s own words:
“We have this notion that somehow if you’re poor you cannot do it. Poor kids are just as bright and just as talented as white kids.”
The frontrunner paused, but shortly thereafter attempted to correct himself by noting other demographics.
“Wealthy kids. Black kids. Asian kids. No, I really mean it…but think how we think about it. They can do anything anybody else can do, given a shot.”
Reactions to Biden’s Gaffe
Conservatives promptly censured Biden, noting the indirect and inaccurate inference that only minority children are poor. President Trump even spoke out, stating that Biden “isn’t playing with a full deck.”
Biden also took heat from competitors who are vying for the Democrat nomination. Bill De Blasio chimed in on the situation via Twitter; the New York City mayor opined that Biden’s statements are concerning and indicative of deeper issues.
De Blasio’s tweet on the matter reads as follows:
“Poor” kids are just as bright and talented as white kids?
To quickly dismiss @JoeBiden’s words as a mere “slip of the tongue” is as concerning as what he said. We need to have a real conversation about the racism and sexism behind “electability.” https://t.co/PcL6OgMPnD
— Bill de Blasio (@BilldeBlasio) August 9, 2019
